NASHVILLE -- A few quick notes after our daily chat with Pat Gillick ...* Confirming what we already assumed, Gillick said the Phillies are out of the running for Japanese right-hander Hiroki Kuroda. Tracked down a source in the lobby who informed me that Kuroda will visit Seattle, Arizona and LA next week. He doesn't appear interested in playing on the East Coast, and the latest offer made today by the Phillies wasn't as lucrative as Seattle's, which is believed to be climbing toward the $50 million mark.
* Gillick said re-signing Aaron Rowand is a "long shot." That comes after a meeting today with Rowand's agent, Craig Landis. About to head back to the lobby to find Landis, who, I must say, looks a lot like Barry Melrose.
* The Phillies have released troubled reliever Julio Mateo, who is facing assault charges from a May arrest in NY. Indications are Mateo's legal/personal problems are more serious than the Phillies believed when they acquired him in July for a minor league infielder.
* Asking price for pitchers in potential trades has been astronomical. One team source said the Phillies would have to "clean out the farm system" for Erik Bedard or Dan Haren. The Pirates are even asking for several prospects in exchange for lefty reliever John Grabow, whose health is something of a concern. Phillies aren't as interested in Pirates relievers Salomon Torres or Damaso Marte, and the asking price is just as high.
Gotta start writing. More later.
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