Feb. 29 -- SNELL VS. HOWARD

Ian Snell and Ryan Howard play for opposing teams, but they're good friends. They got to know each other in the minors, and they've stayed close since they reached the majors. And while Howard has won NL Rookie of the Year and MVP awards, few pitchers have given him more trouble than Snell, a Camden native and Caesar Rodney High product. Howard is 1-for-10 with a sacrifice fly and six strikeouts in his career against Snell.

So, when Snell held Howard to an 0-for-3 today in Bradenton, he joked about his success over his buddy.

"I own Ryan Howard now," a smiling Snell told reporters. "I love to face him. It's a challenge and we've had a good rivalry ever since we were starting out in the minor leagues in 2001."

Howard's response: "I'd own myself, too, if I always quick-pitched myself."

Seriously, though, Howard said, "We have a unique relationship. It's pretty neat."

Feb. 29 -- DAY 16: THE REAL DEAL?

You don't need a particularly long memory to recall what J.D. "The Real Deal" Durbin did for the Phillies last season.

After bouncing around in a weird waiver cycle (he was waived four times in 17 days in March), and finally opening the season in triple-A, Durbin was called up in midseason to the Phillies' injury-ravaged rotation and won six games. In his two best starts, he allowed one run in 15 innings against the Dodgers and Padres. In his worst, he allowed seven runs and didn't record an out against the Marlins. Often, Durbin was like the little girl with the curl. When he was good, he was very, very good; but when he was bad, he was horrid.

Either way, if the Phillies wouldn't have made the playoffs without Kyle Kendrick's 10-win contribution, Durbin was nearly as important.

But while Kendrick entered this spring with a guaranteed rotation spot, Durbin is still fighting for a job, with Adam "The $24.5 Million Man" Eaton still holding the inside track on the No. 5 starter position. Durbin started today against the Pirates in Bradenton and allowed two runs on five hits and walk in two innings. Not great. Not terrible, either. Eaton and Chad Durbin (no relation to "The Real Deal") will pitch tomorrow against the Yankees. Watch them closely.

Anyway, J.D. Durbin doesn't have any minor-league options, which means he'd have to clear waivers (again!) to go to the minors. He and I discussed that scenario on Wednesday morning. Here's what he had to say:

"To get my first start in spring training and to have a spot open, I’d say it’s a plus. I wouldn’t say it’s going to add extra pressure, but there’s a sense of urgency to try to do well. I was here last year, so it’s not like I need to try to over-impress. But I like it in Philly, and these guys treat me really nice. If they say I didn’t earn a spot, that would be tough to swallow. But there’s 29 other teams that might need me. So, you never know what’s going to happen with the game of numbers. All I can worry about it going out and throwing the best I can that day.

"There’s a spot open, and the numbers are kind of close. They’re going to give me a true look to see, is this guy really worth breaking camp with or should we let him go again. It’ll be hard to take being let go, if it does happen. All I can do is come out here and pitch my [butt] off."

Feb. 29 -- ONE-YEAR WONDER OR WONDERFUL STORY?

Kyle Kendrick is easy to like.

He is soft-spoken and polite, with a pleasant smile and an easy-going personality. And if he's a little gullible (ok, A LOT gullible for thinking he actually could be traded to Japan), that's just another reminder that he never was supposed to be here, on the major-league side of the Phillies' spring-training clubhouse with a locker next to opening-day starter Brett Myers and a spot in the rotation.

Last year, Kendrick wasn't invited to big-league spring training. He was a little-known minor leaguer who didn't factor into the Phillies' plans in 2007. If anything, the Phillies thought maybe he could be a September call-up this season, although they weren't even counting on that. But after Freddy Garcia got hurt last June, they recalled Kendrick as an emergency fill-in. He never left, racking up 10 wins and a 3.87 ERA and starting Game 2 of the NL Division Series against Colorado. If not for Kendrick, the Phillies wouldn't have made the playoffs. He was every bit as valuable as Jimmy Rollins, voted the NL's most valuable player.

Now, though, everyone wants to know if he can do it again.

"I kind of came out of nowhere to have the year that I did," Kendrick said yesterday before allowing one run in three innings of his first spring-training start. "So, of course, the question is going to be out there. But I don't think it was an accident or a fluke. I think I can have the same year every year. Last year is definitely going to motivate me. I want to prove to people I can do it again and that I'm a major-league pitcher and that I can help our team win."

So, what do you think? How many wins will Kendrick have this season?

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Funny moment yesterday: Ryan Howard, who hit a towering homer that landed somewhere beyond the right-field wall and nearly caused a few fender-benders on the southbound lanes of US-19, talked about how his five-man bowling team lost a best-of-three tournament to Rollins' team Wednesday night. Rollins, by the way, boasted about the victory by proudly displaying a championship belt above his locker. Howard chalked up Team Rollins' win to shrewd scouting. Rollins drafted minor-league catcher Tim Gradoville, who, as it turns out, is a solid bowler. Who knew? Certainly not Howard, who jokingly was asked if his team's biggest problem is its general manager.

"See that," Howard hollered. "You lose one game and the Philly media tries to get you fired!"

True enough.

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Flew home last night for a short breather (don't worry, I'll keep The Blog packed with information, and we'll have you covered in the 50-center until I get back to Clearwater). Waiting for me was a package containing Chris Coste's autobiography, "The 33-Year-Old Rookie," which will be released March 18 in Delaware Valley bookstores. Can't wait to read it, especially after I wrote a feature last month on Coste's experience as a published author.

The front cover of the book includes this quote from Cal Ripken Jr.: "We have all fought through difficulties to achieve our dreams, and Chris' story speaks volumes about determination, drive and perseverance."

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Check out some video from spring training.

Feb. 28 -- UN-SAVERY DEBUT

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, the Phillies lost today, 11-6 to the Pirates, at Bright House Field. Oh, well. I guess they won't go undefeated this spring.

On the positive side: Ryan Howard smashed a towering home run that cleared the right-field berm and landed somewhere near the traffic on Route 19. ... Pedro Feliz continued his torrid start to the spring with two more hits. He's 4-for-5 in two games. "I figured he was going to make an out sooner or later," Charlie Manuel joked. ... Kyle Kendrick threw three solid innings, generally pitching well except for a towering solo homer by Adam LaRoche.

On the negative side: Touted lefties Joe Savery and Josh Outman got smacked around in their first spring-training games. Savery was close to getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning after getting Brian Bixley to break his bat on a liner to shortstop. But he gave up a two-run single to No. 9 hitter Josh Wilson and a three-homer to Nate McLouth, a decent left-handed-hitting outfielder who the Phillies tried to acquire in the offseason. Outman allowed four runs in 1-2/3 innings.

Don't want to scoop ourselves here (we'll have more on this in the 50-center tomorrow), but Savery was reflective after he came out of the game. Here's some of what he had to say:

"I'm taking the good with the bad. I'm not happy with the results, obviously, but I learned a lot. I had a couple of strikeouts and a broken bat. I know my stuff is good enough, [but] it's just a matter of learning to locate it and to not to throw any spinners up there.

"It all happened so fast. Now is the time to look at things and think about why you didn't succeed and why things went down the way they did. But if you're out there and you're trying to compete, and if you sit around and feel sorry for yourself while you are out there, it's just going to get worse."

Savery will have a chance for redemption Monday. He's scheduled to start against the Pirates at Bright House, so we'll see if he learns from today's mistakes.

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Reliever Francisco Rosario signed a split contract that will pay him one salary if he's in the majors and another if he's in the minors. The only unsigned players remaining in camp are Shane Victorino and Cole Hamels. Don't worry. Their contracts will be finalized shortly, I'm sure.

Feb. 28 -- DAY 15: CARRASCO SURVIVES SCARE

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, about an hour before yesterday's game, I heard an incredible story about Carlos Carrasco, the Phillies' top prospect.

And it had nothing to do with pitching.

On Feb. 3, as he was preparing to come to spring training, Carrasco's family was robbed while a gun was pointed at his sister's head. Two men cased Carrasco's home in Venezuela and stole $7,000 in property, including a plasma TV and computer. After he threw a 10-pitch, scoreless eighth inning in the Phils' Grapefruit League-opener against the Reds, Carrasco talked about the frightening incident.

"They were watching me when I picked up my mom," Carrasco recalled through a translator. "When I came [home], they went in there. They told us that they will shoot us if we did anything. ... It's been tough to put that [aside]. My family is always going to come before baseball. That's why I want to do well, so I can get them out of there. ... I talk to my mom and have tears in my eyes. I feel I should be there helping out. This will make me want to do even better because I'm working for them."

After hearing Carrasco's story, I went over to the minor-league complex and talked with Sal Artiaga, the Phillies' director of Latin American operations. He said the Phillies will make Dr. Jose Goyos, an associate of employee assistance professional Dickie Noles, available to counsel Carrasco. Artiaga also said such crimes are common in Venezuela, where wealthy and prominent baseball players often are targets of thieves. Later, a Phillies minor-league catcher told me that many Venezuelan baseball stars, including Bobby Abreu, need to have body guards when they go back home.

Scary stuff, isn't it?

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Travis Blackley was under the impression that he'd be the third pitcher used by the Phillies yesterday. So, when he got the call that he would be replacing starter Jamie Moyer after the third inning, he rushed to get ready.

Just like a regular reliever.

Blackley is not a regular reliever. Throughout his seven-year pro career, he has been a starter, and other than a stint for a team in his native Australia when he shared the closer role with Atlanta's Peter Moylan, Blackley has no experience pitching out of the bullpen. But if he makes the Phillies out of spring training, it likely will be as a reliever. He passed his first test with flying colors yesterday, allowing one hit in three scoreless innings against the Reds and showing a deceptive pick-off move after Jay Bruce singled in the fifth inning.

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Ran out of real estate in the 50-center, but I wanted to mention that base coaches will wear helmets this year, as modeled here by Mike Schmidt. The new rule was passed after last season when minor-league first-base coach Mike Coolbaugh was killed after being struck by a line drive. Most of the coaches, including Phillies' third-base coach Steve Smith, aren't happy about the rule. And while, in theory, it's a good idea, Coolbaugh was hit in the neck, not the head. With no ear flaps on the coaches' helmets, I wonder how much protection they really will offer.

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Check out another photo gallery by Jennifer Corbett.

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(Updated, 9:30 a.m.): Today's lineup vs. the Pirates, hot off the presses: SS Jimmy Rollins, CF So Taguchi, 2B Chase Utley, 1B Ryan Howard, 3B Pedro Feliz, RF Geoff Jenkins, LF Jayson Werth, DH Greg Dobbs, C Carlos Ruiz. Kyle Kendrick will pitch for the Phillies today. Most interesting to me, though, is watching lefties Josh Outman and Joe Savery, the touted prospects who will follow Kendrick in the game.

Weather, by the way, is sunny, 46 degrees. Not very Florida-like.

Feb. 27 -- DAY 14: HAMELS: 'NO BIG DEAL'

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Good morning, all. Chilly here today. The scoreboard at Bright House Field reads 54 degrees, and it's supposed to get down to 37 tonight. Brrrr!

In case you're wondering, Cole Hamels says he isn't ticked about not starting opening day. he doesn't mind pitching Game 2.

"I actually don't mind [Brett Myers] being first," Hamels said this morning. "I kind of like it. From the time I first got called up, I kind of used him to my advantage with him going out there in the first game and me going out there in the second game and knowing what to do more because I watched him. If he goes out there on opening day, it's no big deal to me. There's a lot of hype that goes in with opening day. For myself, it's not a real big deal. Being 24 years old, I have plenty of years to chase after Jamie Moyer. After about three, four starts, it doesn't matter anymore."

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A few more words on the surprise decision to make Myers the opening-day starter: Charlie Manuel offered a somewhat convoluted explanation about setting up the rotation to face the Mets at Shea Stadium on April 8-10, but as I wrote last night in the comments section of the last post, there were two major reasons for the choice.

a) It removed any doubt in everyone's mind, including Myers', that Myers will stay in the rotation even though new closer Brad Lidge just had knee surgery.

b) It rewards Myers for being a good soldier and moving back to the rotation this season, even though he loves being a closer.

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Imagine, for a moment, that you're Brad Harman or Jason Donald. You're a prospect in the Phillies' farm system, and you have been invited to your first major-league spring training, a clear indication that the organization likes you. Life is good, right?

One problem: You play the same position as Chase Utley or Jimmy Rollins.

That's a BIG problem.

Over the past few days, I talked to Harman and Donald about their lot in baseball. I also spoke with Phillies farm director Steve Noworyta and minor-league coordinator Bill Dancy. Everyone is in agreement that Harman and Donald are playing as much for the Phillies this spring as for 29 other teams, who may be interested in someday trading for them. But the Phillies also have talked about increasing Harman's and Donald's versatility by teaching them new positions. Harman already has started playing third base.

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Check out Jennifer Corbett's photo gallery from yesterday.

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(Update, 1:20 p.m.): We're underway here at Bright House Field. Jamie Moyer retired six of the seven batters he faced. Looks like he's done this before. ... Also, FYI, right-hander Carlos Carrasco (No. 54), second baseman Adrian Cardenas (No. 76) and lefty Joe Savery (No. 90) made Baseball America's top 100 prospects list. Carrasco will pitch later today.

(Update, 1:54 p.m.): Moyer is out of the game. His line: 3 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 3 strikeouts. He threw 31 pitches, 22 strikes (six first-pitch strikes to 10 batters). ... Phils lead 1-0. Ryan Howard doubled and scored on a Geoff Jenkins' double play in the second inning.

(Update, 2:33 p.m.): Phillies have blown the game open with a seven-run fifth inning to take an 8-0 lead. Greg Dobbs, last season's surprise with a .358 spring-training average, swatted a three-run homer off lefty Jon Coutlangus. Rule 5 pick Travis Blackley looked good, throwing three scoreless innings.

Feb. 26 -- MYERS TO START OPENER

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- This just in: For the second straight year, Brett Myers will be the Phillies' opening-day starter. Myers will face the Washington Nationals on March 31, and 15-game winner Cole Hamels will pitch the following night.

Nobody was more surprised than Myers.

"Absolutely," Myers said. "Hamels had a great year last year. It's going to be hard for me to take over the No. 1 spot when he had that year last year. I'm going to have to work a little bit harder to try to earn that spot, I guess."

Manuel said he broke the news to Hamels. "He seemed like he was definitely OK with it," Manuel said. "He was our No. 1 starter last year, and he had a big year. But that's the way we want to set our rotation up."

More in tomorrow's 50-center.

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Update: As you may have heard, tonight's game was rained out. Bummer for the Florida State kids. Jamie Moyer starts tomorrow in the Grapefruit League opener against the Reds. Joe Savery, by the way, will start Monday against the Pirates.

Feb. 26 -- PHILS SIGN OLMEDO

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Two hours before Joe Savery's first pitch here, and the tarp is on the field. It has been raining intermittently through the afternoon, and there's some question about whether this game will be played. We'll keep you updated, so in the absence of radio and TV, keep it here.

One quick note before I start some pre-game writing: The Phillies have claimed switch-hitting infielder Ray Olmedo off waivers from the Pirates. Olmedo, 26, batted .216 in 27 games for Toronto last season. In 97 games for triple-A Syracuse, he batted .290 with one homer and 26 RBIs. In 198 career games for Cincinnati (2003-06) and Toronto (2007), he's a .228 hitter with two homers and 26 RBIs. My guess is Olmedo will open the season with triple-A Lehigh Valley. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, pitcher John Ennis was designated for assignment.

*

Funny scene a few hours ago: As part of the agreement with Florida State, the Phillies' clubhouse was opened to the FSU players, most of whom were wide-eyed as they came in and saw Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and others. If you're wondering: FSU is 2-7 all-time against major-league teams, facing the Orioles, Yankees, Braves, Royals, Marlins, Rays and Phillies.

*

Tonight's lineup: SS Jimmy Rollins, CF Shane Victorino, 2B Chase Utley, 1B Ryan Howard, LF Pat Burrell (a Miami grad), RF Geoff Jenkins, 3B Pedro Feliz, DH Wes Helms, C Carlos Ruiz. Remember, starters will get two at-bats before leaving the game.

*

A few of you have asked about the TV schedule for this weekend. Chris Wheeler just informed me that Saturday's game against the Yankees is on the CW Philly. Sunday's game won't be televised.

Feb. 26 -- DAY 13: PLAY BALL!

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- If you've been reading this blog for the past two weeks, you know that I enjoy watching the Phillies' live batting practice drill in spring training. But, after nearly seven days, the novelty of seeing Cole Hamels face Chase Utley or Brett Myers face Ryan Howard wears off. Put it another way: The daily workouts have gotten boring, tedious, monotonous.

So, I'm pretty sure everyone will be happy at 7 p.m., when Joe Savery throws the first pitch of the Phillies' first spring-training game.

Finally!

And although the Phillies will be facing Florida State (they open their Grapefruit League slate tomorrow against the Reds), there will be some intrigue. For two innings, I'll be eager to watch Savery, the first-round pick last June who already has drawn so much praise from Charlie Manuel. Wrote about Savery in the 50-center today. He's a bright guy, oozing with confidence. Most interesting to me, though, is that his first love was football. Growing up in Houston, Savery dreamed of someday playing quarterback in the NFL. He was so serious about that, he even plotted to follow Eli Manning to Ole Miss. Savery also is a talented hitter. Before the draft last year, there were whispers that he may even be a better hitter than pitcher. He won't get to hit tonight. The Phillies and FSU will be using a DH. Thus, Wes Helms will get a start tonight and bat eighth, according to Manuel.

*

Brad Lidge's surgery yesterday was successful, according to the Phillies' medical team. But if he's unable to start the season on time, erstwhile closer Tom Gordon says he'll be ready.

Feb. 25 -- DAY 12: LIDGE HAS SUCCESSFUL SURGERY

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Just a quick note to let you know that Brad Lidge underwent successful surgery this morning. Phillies team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti removed 15 to 18 percent of the damaged meniscus cartilage in Lidge's right knee, and the Phillies still project that he will be pitching competitively in games within 3 to 6 weeks.

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The Phillies have set their pitchers for the first seven spring-training games. Here's the list:

Tuesday vs. FSU: Joe Savery, J.A. Happ, Josh Outman, Carlos Carrasco, Joe Bisenius
Wednesday vs. Reds: Jamie Moyer, Travis Blackley, Clay Condrey, Ryan Madson
Thursday vs. Pirates: Kyle Kendrick, Francisco Rosario, Lincoln Holdzkom
Friday at Pirates: J.D. Durbin, Shane Youman, John Ennis, Bisenius (Brett Myers will pitch B-game)
Saturday vs. Yankees: Adam Eaton, Chad Durbin, Madson, Condrey, Tom Gordon
Sunday at Yankees: Cole Hamels, Fabio Castro, Carrasco, Holdzkom
Monday vs. Pittsburgh: Savery, Outman, J.C. Romero, Bisenius (Moyer will pitch B-game)

Most interesting to me is that Eaton and Chad Durbin will pitch on the same day. Let the battle for the No. 5 starter job begin!

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I'll get to some of your comments later, after I've hammered out some stories for the 50-center. For now, let me ask you, which of the pitchers listed above are you most excited about seeing in spring training.

Feb. 25 -- ON THE LEDGE ABOUT LIDGE

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- I can hear the sports-radio chatter all the way down here in Florida, so allow me to address some of your inevitable questions.

1. No, Brett Myers won't be the Phillies' opening-day closer.

2. No, Brad Lidge isn't this year's version of Freddy Garcia.

Before and after the Phillies got the news yesterday that Lidge will have arthroscopic surgery today to clean up some lingering problems in his surgically repaired right knee, Charlie Manuel said Tom Gordon, not Myers, is Plan B to pitch ninth innings. Barring any long-term problem for Lidge, the Phils are committed to leaving Myers in the rotation. And since typical recovery time from Lidge's surgery is 3 to 6 weeks, this isn't being considered a long-term problem.

If you ask me, it's a small stretch to draw comparisons between Lidge and Garcia, the $10 million pitcher who won exactly one game for the Phillies last season after being traded from the White Sox in a big winter-meetings deal in '06. First, Garcia had a shoulder problem. Lidge has a knee problem. By all accounts, Lidge has been throwing the ball well in spring training. Garcia never threw the ball well. And once all or part of Lidge's damaged meniscus is removed today, doctors have said he won't have any lingering knee pain when he pitches. From the moment he reported to spring training (and probably before that) until he had surgery last summer, Garcia never stopped having shoulder pain.

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Kris Benson threw his curveball for the first time in three years during his 65-pitch bullpen session yesterday. That's a good sign. Also, the Phils got a look at Tom Gordon's son, Devaris, yesterday, and according to assistant GM Mike Arbuckle, they liked what they saw.

Feb. 24 -- DAY 11: SURGERY FOR LIDGE

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Just saw Brad Lidge outside the Phillies' clubhouse, shortly after he got the bad news. He will have arthroscopic surgery tomorrow in Philly to repair a damaged portion of the meniscus in his right knee.

OK, I know what you're wondering. Didn't Lidge already have surgery on his knee in October, one month before he was traded to the Phillies?

Yes, he did. Here's what happened: According to Lidge, there are some small tears in his meniscus that were left over from when Lidge had his initial surgery. At the time, the doctors had hoped the tears would heal on their own. They didn't. When Lidge got his spike caught on the mound yesterday as he was throwing live batting practice, he aggravated the meniscus. But team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti, who will perform the surgery today at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philly, told Lidge his knee no longer will bother him once the damaged part of the meniscus is removed.

So, will Lidge be ready for opening day? He thinks so.

"It's 3 to 6 weeks for a full recovery, and 4-1/2 weeks from now is the first game of the season," Lidge said. "So, if I have to miss the first couple games or something like that, then we will. That being said, once the torn part is out, it's gone, and it won't re-bother you again. It's a smart procedure for us to do now."

If the recovery time is closer to six weeks, I asked Lidge if he'd be open to starting the season on the disabled list and pitching in minor league games to continue his rehab. "It's always a possibility," Lidge said. "Probably that won't be the case. I wouldn't say there's absolutely no chance that's going to happen, but it's more likely that it won't."

Lidge will be back in camp Tuesday, and he's expected to continue long-tossing by the start of next week. Earlier today, before the results from Lidge's MRI came through, manager Charlie Manuel said Tom Gordon would be the closer if Lidge has to miss significant time. For now, Brett Myers is not a candidate to return to the bullpen.

Feb. 24 -- GROWING PAINS FOR SHERIDAN

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, if you had to pick one person who is most vital to the Phillies' success this season, who would it be?

Ryan Howard?

Chase Utley?

Jimmy Rollins?

Cole Hamels?

Brad Lidge?

All fine choices. Personally, I'm going with Scott Sheridan. That's right, I'm picking the athletic trainer. Sheridan, a Delaware native and Laurel High grad, is the man who, quite literally, will hold everything together for the Phillies. Sheridan had a rocky first season as head trainer in 2007, dealing with 18 players making 21 stops on the disabled list and countless others with bumps and bruises that never were publicized. The Phillies had, in the words of GM Pat Gillick, "an abnormal number of injuries" last year, and when the season ended, Gillick and assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. sat down with Sheridan to explore the reasons why.

In the newspaper business, we have something called "enterprise features," in-depth stories that go beyond the usual personality profiles and game stories that ordinarily fill our pages. It's my goal to write an enterprise feature each Sunday during spring training, and in today's $1.50-center, you'll find the highlights of a wide-ranging, half-hour interview with Sheridan, who told us about his two-pronged plan to minimize injuries in 2008.

1. He set up an offseason treatment plan for several players, sending sore-shouldered pitchers Adam Eaton to a physical therapist in Seattle and reliever Tom Gordon to a rehab specialist in Orlando. He also made appointments for center fielder Shane Victorino to see a trainer in Las Vegas who helped strengthen his strained calf.

2. Sheridan revamped the conditioning program, implementing new stretching and exercise routines.

Will it work? Time will tell. But you can bank on this: For the Phillies to repeat as NL East champs, they'll need to stay away from the disabled list.

*
Of course, as soon as we started talking about injuries, Brad Lidge aggravated his surgically repaired right knee yesterday. The Phillies bumped up today's workout by about an hour to facilitate a team-wide golf tournament this afternoon. After the workout, I expect to have an update on Lidge's condition, so stay tuned ...

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Perhaps the biggest conclusion to draw from Ryan Howard's landmark arbitration ruling is that the Phillies' window for winning the World Series is narrower than they thought. Rollins certainly feels the urgency.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Feb. 23 -- DAY 10: LIDGE HURT? (UPDATED W/QUOTES)

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- It's absolutely pouring here at the Carpenter Complex. The Phillies have scurried off the back fields, and right now, they're hitting in the indoor batting cage. But one player -- closer Brad Lidge -- left before the rain started with an undisclosed injury while throwing live batting practice.

Lidge, as you know, is recovering from right knee surgery, but reports this week from Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee have been positive. All indications I've received are that Lidge is throwing the ball well.

The clubhouse re-opens to the media at 12:15 p.m. At that time, we'll get you some more details on Lidge's situation.

(Update, 1:29 p.m.): Lidge already had left the clubhouse by the time we were allowed in, but he spoke via phone and didn't sound overly concerned ... for now. Lidge did tweak something in his right knee on his first pitch of live batting practice. He had surgery to repair torn cartilage in October. Lidge is expected to see a team doctor tomorrow.

"I just caught the spike on the mound," Lidge said. "I threw the pitch, but it felt like I pulled something in the knee. It didn't feel real good after that. Because of where we are in spring training, there's no reason for me to push it. It swelled up on me a little, but I'm optimistic I just pulled some scar tissue. We'll just try to be smart with it.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it's real sore tomorrow, and I wouldn't be surprised if I miss a day or a couple of days just to be cautious. I figure this is just one of the setbacks or one of the things that'll happen, to be honest."

On most days, Lidge had been taking fielding practice with the pitchers and testing his knee. "It's felt a little sore from time to time," he said.

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Check out the newest Phillies commercial.

Feb. 23 -- PROVING HIS WERTH

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- For people who are used to getting up late and working a second- or third-shift job, the initial weeks of spring training are a shock to the system. Since I got here on Feb. 12, my alarm clock has rang at 6 a.m., and even after hitting snooze a few times, I'm still bleary-eyed.

Jayson Werth can relate.

For most of the past two weeks, Phillies players have had to be in the clubhouse, dressed in their practice uniforms, by 8:30 a.m. Werth arrived last week with a goatee that he'd been fashioning throughout the winter. But, in maybe the funniest story I've heard in a while, he dozed off a few mornings ago as he was trimming the mustache. "When I came to, I was like, 'Oh, no,'" said Werth, who had to shave the mustache completely. So, now, Werth is back to the patch of hair on his chin.

The Phillies are expecting big things from Werth this season. If he stays healthy (always a big question for Werth), GM Pat Gillick and manager Charlie Manuel believe he can hit 30 home runs. That would be impressive, especially because Werth almost had to retire in 2006 after unsuccessful surgery on his shattered left wrist.

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Cole Hamels will be arbitration-eligible next year, and the Phillies would prefer to not go to a hearing with him. It's difficult to guess how much money Hamels will make in 2009, and obviously, much will depend on how he pitches this season. But here's a potential comparison: Like Hamels, Dontrelle Willis won 24 games in his first two seasons. In his third, he went 22-10 with a 2.63 ERA, then cashed in with a $4.35 million deal in arbitration in 2006. If Hamels wins 20 games, he could be looking at $5 or $6 million next year.

Feb. 22 -- DAY 9: SAVERY TO START

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, I hear it snowed back home today. Bummer. Here are a few Friday tidbits to warm you up:

* Joe Savery (left) will start Tuesday night's exhibition game against FSU. Savery, a lefty from Rice and the Phillies' first-round pick last June, will pitch two innings. "My goal is to get in front of these coaches and gain respect as a mature, young guy who can be relied on when the time comes," said Savery, 22, who went 2-3 with a 2.73 ERA in seven starts for short-season Williamsport last season. "I just want to give them confidence I'll be able to handle myself."

* Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez lost his arbitration hearing today, which means Ryan Howard's record $10 million award is still intact. K-Rod will make $10 million this year, but he asked for $12.5 million. In 2006, Alfonso Soriano received a $10 million award, but he also lost his case. So, Howard remains the highest-paid winner in an arbitration hearing. Don't be surprised if he breaks his own record next year.

* Had a chance to watch Tom Gordon's son, Devaris, take some swings in the indoor cage, and let me tell you, the kid is good. Amazingly, Devaris (right) didn't start playing baseball until two years ago. Never even played Little League or Babe Ruth. But he starred as a freshman last year at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla., which is East of Tampa, about a 90-minute drive from here. According to his dad, he's got a good curveball, but he prefers to play short. Devaris is a switch-hitter with blazing speed, and he's already attracting attention from scouts. He has a similar batting stance to Derek Jeter. I asked if Jeter, his dad's former teammate with the Yankees, is his idol. "Yeah, but he likes J-Roll better," Flash said.

* High temp today: 84 degrees.

Feb. 22 -- MORE SIGNINGS

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Quick note before I head out to the field to watch my favorite pitchers vs. batters drill:

The Phillies have signed pitcher Kyle Kendrick, infielders Greg Dobbs and Brad Harman and outfielder T.J. Bohn to split contracts. Once again, a split contract means the player makes one salary (usually the major-league minimum) if he's in the majors and a lesser salary if he's in the minors. Kendrick and Dobbs probably don't have to fret over a lesser salary.

Still unsigned: Shane Victorino and Cole Hamels. It's worth noting that both will eligible for arbitration next year. Think the Ryan Howard verdict made them happy?

Feb. 22 -- THE $10 MILLION MAN

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Conspiracy theories are everywhere. From the elaborate government plot to assassinate John F. Kennedy to UFOs landing at Area 51 to suspicions of Paul McCartney's death, people are always trying to invent ways of explaining events. Sometimes, they even invent the events themselves.

So, why should Ryan Howard's arbitration case be any different?

Shortly after yesterday's verdict that Howard had won a record $10 million award in his contract stalemate with the Phillies, the conspiracy theorists got busy. Howard's hearing was the sixth of 2008, and the owners had won the previous five, defeating infielders Felipe Lopez (Nationals) and Mark Loretta (Astros) and pitchers Brian Fuentes (Rockies), Jose Valverde (Astros) and Chien-Ming Wang (Yankees). The arbiters are appointed by mutual agreement between MLB and the Players' Association, and in Oliver Stone-like fashion, the idea has been floated that the arbiters feared a clean sweep in the owners' favor would result in the Players' Association pushing to have them dismissed. So, in order to keep their jobs, the arbiters sided with Howard.

Believe that? Me neither. Well, not entirely.

But nearly everyone I've spoken to around baseball is positively shocked by the Howard verdict. And you can bet that Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and other young players across the sports are rejoicing today. Their arbitration price tag just went up. Way up.

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In on-field news (yes, there's actually some baseball being played here), Charlie Manuel has been impressed with Kris Benson's progress. After seeing Benson throw twice from a mound, Manuel said, "He's starting to come on. He's taken a couple big steps the last couple days. When he's ready, we'll definitely use him."

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Carlos Beltran admits he plagiarized Jimmy Rollins.

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The past few days have featured my favorite drill of the early spring workouts: Pitchers vs. hitters in live batting practice. At what other time do you get to see Tom Gordon pitching to Rollins, Cole Hamels facing Howard or Carlos Carrasco vs. Chase Utley? It's certainly more intriguing than pitchers fielding practice (PFP, for short) or mind-numbing base running drills.

Feb. 21 -- DAY 8: HOWARD SPEAKS

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- After the Phillies' daily workout, and after taking extra batting practice in the indoor cage, Ryan Howard addressed the media about his big payday.

Well, sort of.

On the day he became a multi, multi, multimillionaire, Howard didn't say much about his arbitration victory over the Phillies. Asked how he was going to celebrate, he said he was planning to work out at the gym. Asked what his first purchase would be, he said he wasn't sure (Jimmy Rollins said Howard has had his eye on an Aston Martin DB9, the car that James Bond drives).

And when it came to the real issues, like whether he thinks he eventually will agree to a long-term deal with the Phillies or how involved his father, Ron, gets in these or any negotations, Howard reverted to that disarming humor that helps him to avoid questions. To wit: Asked to respond to speculation that he's looking for a more lucrative multiyear deal than the seven-year, $100 million contract that Albert Pujols signed in 2004, Howard said, "There's talk out there? Well, you've got to tell me who's talking. Right now, I don't know if that's a fair question to ask because these speculators are not here at the present moment in time."

Not very informative, is it?

Time for me to parse more of Howard's answers and write for the 50-center. For now, though, I'll ask this: If you were the Phillies, how many years and how much money would you give Howard, a big-bodied slugger who will be 32 by the time he becomes a free agent in 2011? Talk amongst yourselves. More from me later.

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In the absence of real details, maybe this is how the arbitration hearing went down?

Feb. 21 -- HOWARD WINS

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Moments ago, assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. confirmed that Ryan Howard has won his arbitration case against the Phillies.

It's a landmark decision.

Not only is the $10 million award the highest ever won in salary arbitration, but it comes during Howard's first year of arbitration eligibility. When Alfonso Soriano lost his arbitration case in 2006 and was awarded $10 million (he asked for $12 million), he was in his third arbitration go-around. Other significant awards were the $8.2 million won by Andruw Jones in 2001 (his second year of eligibility) and the $7.4 million won by Miguel Cabrera last year (in his first year of eligibility, but with more service time that Howard).

So, clearly, the Phillies' argument that Howard has limited major-league service time (less than three full seasons) and slots into baseball's economic structure at less than an eight-figure salary didn't hold water with arbitrators Stephen Goldberg, Robert Bailey and Jack Clarke. Those men, by the way, are mutually appointed by Major League Baseball and the players' association.

Interestingly, Amaro refused to discuss the likelihood that the Phillies would continue talking about a multiyear contract extension for Howard, claiming today's verdict was still "too fresh."

"This is not the time to start discussing the future with Ryan Howard," Amaro said. "The panel decided to make the decision, and we're going to go forward and get spring training going."

Feb. 20 -- DAY 7: J-ROLL SPEAKS

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Back from my first-ever arbitration-hearing stakeout, and very happy to say I survived. Ryan Howard looked to be in decent shape, too, although it was difficult to decode his body language and tone of voice. As I've mentioned, Howard often uses his disarming sense of humor to mask disappointment or anger. If he's miffed about anything that may have been said in that conference room, he probably won't show it.

So, who wins the hearing? I still give a slight -- very slight -- edge to the Phillies, but we'll find out for sure tomorrow.

While we wait, I wanted to pass along some comments from Jimmy Rollins, who spoke to the media for a half-hour today. You'll be able to read plenty about Rollins' reaction to Carlos Beltran's comments in tomorrow's 50-center, but here are a few amusing outtakes that didn't make the paper.

(On current players who have good style): "Big Papi [David Ortiz] has great style. Manny Ramirez probably has the best style. He's in his own category. I like C.C. [Sabathia], but that's kind of a homeboy-thing, turning his hat to the side. Dontrelle [Willis]? He's a freak of nature. Not a lot of people can do what he does. But I definitely like the flair Manny has. He's just crazy. [Jose] Reyes? Reyes has style too. He definitely has a lot of style."

(How about Chase Utley?): "Utley doesn't have any style, but he's working on it. I'm trying to help him in his marketability, make him the face of Tastykake."

(On his earrings?): "My jeweler said you don't want to spend a lot of money on earrings, so anybody trying to get something for their wife or something, don't spend a lot on the earrings because they're just an accessory. You might as well get cubic zirconias."

Feb. 20 -- LIVE BLOGGING: HOWARD'S HEARING

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- So, we're live at the posh Renaissance Vinoy Hotel & Resort, a lovely spot for a vacation if you have a lot of money. We're just south of Clearwater, about a 25-minute drive from the Phillies' spring-training complex, where the team is working out this morning. But, as you know, this isn't a normal day in the Phillies' universe.

Ryan Howard and his father, Ron, arrived here at about 9 a.m. So did GM Pat Gillick, assistant GM Mike Arbuckle and a few other Phillies execs. Assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. and Howard's agent, Casey Close, were already here, presumably trying to work out a last-second settlement. Howard walked quickly through the lobby, smiling and looking relaxed, although I'm sure he was a little apprehensive.

Right now, the whole crew is sitting downstairs in a place called the Abbott/Avery Chancellor Cook Room. A polite man just came over and asked a group of reporters, including yours truly, to kindly leave the hotel, lest we be accused of being peeping Toms. So, here we are, sitting outside and listening to the buzz of a wood chipper. I wonder if the noise inside the room is more pleasant right now.

(Update, 10:20 a.m.): They've been in the conference room for about an hour now, and still no sign of either the Howard camp or the Phillies group. Howard, by the way, is decked out in a gray, pinstriped suit for this very formal proceeding. Unless they've exited this massive hotel through one of the many back or side doors (a scenario that would disappoint the many writers and TV cameras in attendance), the sides are still talking. Don't forget, a verdict won't be rendered until tomorrow. We'll keep you posted with reaction from Howard and the Phillies once they leave. The wood chipper is still humming, by the way. Anyone have any Advil?

(Update, 11:17 a.m.): It's worth noting that information analyst Jay McLaughlin is in the room with the Phillies' contingent. When Tom Gordon told me about his hearing in 1994, he said the Royals' GM and assistant GM didn't do much talking. Instead, they had a statistical analyst present their case. It's a good bet McLaughlin is doing much of the talking for the Phillies.

(Update, 1:07 p.m.): Still no sign of Howard or the Phillies folks (pholks?). This isn't unusual. Typically, both sides talk for an hour. There's also a time for rebuttle, and a question-answer period. Just shared a pizza with some other writers, which provided nourishment and a temporary cure for the intense boredom. Also hopped on for a few minutes with Jamie Yannacone and Harry Mayes (The 700 Level Fanatics) on Sports Radio 950. Found this tidbit about the Renaissance Vinoy: Some people around baseball insist it's haunted. I wonder if there are any ghosts in the Abbott/Avery Chancellor Cook Room -- or if they'd agree to be interviewed. At least the wood chipper has been taken away.

(Update, 2:20 p.m.): It's over! First person to emerge from the conference room was Tal Smith (right), the Astros president and arbitration guru who formulated and presented the Phillies' case. "There was not a lot of animosity,” Smith said. “It was not really contentious. It was just a continuation of the debate.” Smith said the Phillies' case hinged on Howard's limited major-league service time and how that slots into baseball's salary structure. Howard hasn't been in the majors for three full seasons and can't be a free agent until after the 2011 season. "That’s certainly a major portion of the criteria,” Smith said. “It’s the length and consistency of the career. That’s basically what the discussion was about. There’s no denying his performance. It’s a question of how that slots into the criteria.” ... No sign of Howard yet, although his white Cadillac Escalade is waiting outside the hotel.

(Update, 3:26 p.m.): Still no sign of Howard. My guess: He's meeting with Close and/or Gillick and Amaro. Arbuckle left without comment. Three autograph-seeking kids, probably 7 or 8 years old and wearing NY Yankees and NY Giants T-shirts, just told me Howard will "be out shortly." Hopefully, they have good sources.

(Update, 3:36 p.m.): Lo and behold, the kids were right. Howard just came out of the hotel with his father and agent. He signed a few autographs and said even fewer words. Ron Howard was holding several binders under his arm, no doubt containing charts and graphs that detailed the argument for his son. With Casey Close (left) shooing him toward his Escalade, Howard was asked if the hearing was contentious. "I could say whatever, but we'll wait until tomorrow," he said. Howard appeared to be in good spirits. "I'm always upbeat," he said. "Are you kidding me? We went in. We had the process. We'll find out tomorrow how it goes. But it is what it is." At that point, Close told reporters, "We'll address this all tomorrow." Close, who has been through only four hearings, said he's flying back to Beverly Hills.

Feb. 20 -- RYAN HOWARD DAY

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The hour is almost upon us.

After weeks of discussion and speculation, Ryan Howard will meet agent Casey Close and head to the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel and Resort in nearby St. Petersburg for his eagerly anticipated arbitration hearing. A contingent of Phillies officials, including assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr., will do the same. And unless Amaro and Close can come to an agreement before they walk into the conference room, both sides will argue their case to a panel of three arbitrators.

One agent I spoke to last week said, "It should be interesting."

But will it be contentious? And will the things that get said in that room linger after the hearing is over? Not even Howard could predict what might happen. "I've heard from different guys that have gone through it, and they say, 'Don't take anything personal,' " Howard said yesterday. "It's easy to say, but until you get in there and experience it, you don't know. Maybe some people are worried that I'll be flipping out or whatever. But I'm just staying calm right now."

To recap: Howard wants to be paid $10 million this year. The Phillies are offering $7 million. Either way, Howard will get VERY rich. And he can't become a free agent until after the 2011 season, so it's possible we're talking about arbitration hearings in each of the next three years, too.

Want to know exactly what happens in the room? Tom Gordon went through the process in 1994, and on Sunday, he told The News Journal about his experience. It was the first time he had discussed it publicly. And in today's 50-center, agent Chris Leible talked about how Johan Santana channeled his disappointment from losing his case in 2004 into winning the Cy Young Award.

So, who wins? I'm giving the slight edge to the Phillies, who are 7-0 all-time in arbitration hearings. Also, players are 0-5 this year, with three more cases to be heard. Could it be a clean sweep? We'll find out tomorrow when Howard gets his verdict.

For now, I'm headed over to the Renaissance Vinoy. We'll have more throughout the day from Howard and Jimmy Rollins, who will meet the press today at Bright House Field.

Feb. 19 -- DAY 6: TODAY ON 'TODAY'

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Woke up to news that Fidel (not Fabio) Castro is stepping down. There also are big showdowns today in Wisconsin and Hawaii between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. But when I turned on "The Today Show," Kyle Kendrick and Brett Myers were about to be interviewed about the prank the Phillies pulled on Kendrick last Saturday. Seems like our priorities are a little out of whack, doesn't it? Shane Victorino wound up stealing the show.

In case you missed it ...



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Also, Mike Schmidt has weighed in with his thoughts on new third baseman Pedro Feliz.

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It isn't all fun and games for the Phillies this spring. Charlie Manuel gave his annual speech to the team before today's first full-squad workout, and he talked about more serious things. Like getting to the World Series.

Feb. 19 -- BURRELL WANTS TO STAY (UPDATED)

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In a wide-ranging 26-minute talk with reporters yesterday (by far, the longest continuous interview he has given since I began covering the Phillies three years ago), Pat Burrell said he wants to stay with the Phillies beyond this season when his six-year, $50 million finally will expire.

So, do you want him back?

Heading out to the ballpark now for the Phillies' first full-squad workout (Jimmy Rollins is expected to be here). I'll update this post later with my thoughts on Burrell. A year ago, this didn't seem like much of an issue (the Phillies would've done anything to trade Burrell in back-to-back offseasons). Now, it's shaping up to be their toughest decision of the 2008-09 winter.

(Update, 10:19 a.m.): First, some housekeeping. Rollins has arrived. Asked how he thought the newly crowned MVP handled the offseason banquet circuit, 2006 MVP Ryan Howard quipped, "The only thing that's heavy on him are those earrings. He might get hypothermia from all that ice he's got there." Good to see tomorrow's arbitration hearing doesn't have Howard too stressed. Speaking of which, we'll have more on that hearing in tomorrow's 50-center, so keep your eyes peeled.

On Burrell: Never imagined I'd be saying this last July 1, when Burrell was batting .201. But the Phillies have to take a hard look at re-signing him. With Chase Utley and Howard and switch-hitting Rollins, the lineup can be very lefty-dominant. When the Phillies face tough lefties like Johan Santana and Tom Glavine (and they'll face them a lot), Burrrell could be the most important piece of the lineup. You have to be concerned about his foot, and his future may well be as a DH in the American League. But if the Phillies lose Burrell, they'll have to find a way to replace him with a right-handed-hitting power bat who plays a corner outfield spot.

Some Burrell outtakes that didn't make the 50-center:

"I think there are two seasons in one [in 2007]. It started off bad, to the point where I wasn’t playing. Something just took over right around the All-Star break, and I think really about a week before the All-Star break I started having some success, where I really felt like I was building on something. I was able to just carry it on. I think for a lot of players, you start seeing signs that things are improving, and you start building, and you just keep going and keep going and you just can’t look back. That’s where I’m trying to get now, just try to get moving in the right direction and hopefully not have to spend the whole second half trying to make up for the first half."

(On being removed late in games for defense): "[Charlie Manuel] knows from talking from me, hey, you know what, if I’m on second base in a tie game with two outs, then I’ll be the first guy to say you might want to put somebody in that’s got a little bit better speed to score and win. That’s not an issue. But like you said, about missing the number of bats. Where do you think you can help? ... That’s up to me. If I show that I’m healthy and moving around out there, it may make the decision and little easier. It’s not rocket science. I’m enver going to fast, I never have been fast. I’m never going to steal bases. I never have. So there are some thing that are just, it is what it is."

Feb. 18 -- DAY 5: HELMS MEETS THE PRESS

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Wes Helms has arrived, but nobody is sure how long he'll be staying.

Not even Helms.

Since the Phillies signed free agent Pedro Feliz last month, Helms seems to be the odd-man out. With Feliz slated to be the everyday third baseman, Greg Dobbs will be relegated to a bench role. Helms, who will make $2.15 million this season, is trade bait for the Phillies, who would like to flip him for a reliever. Problem is, interest in Helms seems to be fairly brisk. That may change, of course, once teams begin playing spring-training games next week.

Helms, 31, was a disappointment last season, batting .246 with only five homers and 39 RBIs. He met the media today for about 10 minutes. Some highlights:

-- "In this game, you're loyal to the team you're on. But when it comes down to your career, you want to play. That's the only way you can go further. If it came down to where they had a deal on the table and it would benefit me and them, yeah, I'd definitely go. If I could get 100 more at-bats than what I could get here, it would be to my benefit. You always want to start in the big leagues. It's the way you stay in the big leagues. But also teams cater to really good bench players, too. Guys stay in the big leagues 15 years that way. So, yeah, if I had a chance to play every day, I would love to. But staying here and being a bench player on a winning team, to be on a team like this, I'm really happy with that."

-- "This spring training, I'm playing for Wes Helms because I'm either playing to help the Phillies or I'm playing for other teams to say, hey, we need Helms to help us now. It doesn't take away from me being a team player, but I've got to think about my career here. What do I have to do to better myself? Thats how I have to approach it."

-- "I'm out there to prove something to myself. I know the year I had in Florida wasn't a fluke. I just got off track. I want to prove to myself that I can play another 5 to 6 years. But I also want to prove to the Phillies that the contract they gave me wasn't a bad thing. I don't take something for nothing. I want to give back. But my play on the field, I want to show them that."

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Programming note: Kyle Kendrick and Brett Myers will be on "The Today Show" at 7:30 tomorrow morning to discuss the prank played on Kendrick last weekend. If you've missed it, and I'm not how you could've missed it (it has been all over SportsCenter today), click here to watch: http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3251122&categoryId=2521705

Feb. 18 -- GORDON: "AM I REALLY THAT AWFUL?"

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, what is an arbitration hearing really like?

Only one player in the Phillies' clubhouse knows for certain, and until I asked him about it yesterday, Tom Gordon had never shared his experience with a reporter. So, I hope you'll enjoy Gordon's first-hand account of what Ryan Howard can expect if his case goes to a hearing Wednesday in nearby St. Pete. Keep in mind: the Phillies and Howard's agent, Casey Close, can reach a settlement at the last-minute, even as they're walking into the conference room.

My favorite quote from Gordon: "After a while, I was like, 'Am I really that awful?' It's just business. It's just negotiating. But things are not always said the way you want them to be said. I didn’t care for it that much."

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Shane Victorino thinks Carlos Beltran's "team to beat" prediction has gotten a little personal.

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Sorry to cut this short, but it's time to head over to the ballpark for what could be a manic Monday. I expect we may see Jimmy Rollins today.

More later.

Feb. 17 -- DAY 4: CHASE UTLEY, TEAM LEADER?

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Chase Utley wouldn't take the bait.

With Jimmy Rollins, the Phillies' resident forecaster, still en route to camp, Utley was asked this morning if he cared to respond to Carlos Beltran's comments that the Johan Santana-bolstered Mets are the "team to beat" in the NL East this season. Making bold statements isn't exactly the norm for Utley, whose motto may as well be "bland is better." But Beltran also is a soft-spoken guy, so we figured Utley may be willing to pop off, too.

"OK, that's fine," Utley said of Beltran's comments. "He has confidence, which is good."

So much for that idea.

But, as Utley kept talking, something else occurred to me. With Aaron Rowand gone to San Francisco, the Phillies need a new vocal leader, someone to speak up in the clubhouse during the peaks and valleys of a long season. Utley leads by example, to be sure. And it has long been my contention that he says a lot more to fire up his teammates than he allows us to see. Players told me Utley was among the more vocal speakers during that tide-turning team meeting last April in Cincinnati, even though he was mum on the subject when reporters asked him about it.

So, what are the odds that Utley will replace Rowand as the team spokesman?

"50-50. 40-60?" he deadpanned. "We'll see. I'll warm up to you guys. It's a progression. It's only spring training. You want to continue to get better throughout the year."

If nothing else, Utley was funny this morning.

Seriously, though, on the subject of leadership, Utley said, "It's hard to replace Aaron, especially in the clubhouse. But we have guys that have been around for a while. We can police ourselves."

So, what do you think? How much will the Phillies miss Rowand's leadership? Who would you like to see fill that void?

Feb. 17 -- SPELLING RELIEF

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Happy Sunday. Another beautiful, sun-spalshed day here. The mercury should be climbing to about 80 degrees today.

There's plenty in your $1.50-center about Kris Benson's first (of what will be many) spring-training bullpen sessions and Carlos Beltran's attempt to make like Jimmy Rollins and predict the Mets will be the "team to beat" in the NL East this season. But we also threw a change-up from the newsy spring-training updates and wrote a feature about overused relievers.

You see it every year, don't you? Relievers who make 80 or 90 appearances, and pitch 90 or 100 innings, in one season and struggle or get injured the next. It happened to Geoff Geary over the past two seasons with the Phillies. In 2006, Geary tossed 91-1/3 innings over 81 games and posted a 2.96 ERA. Last year, his ERA swelled to 4.41, and he was shuttled to and from the minors.

Talked to Geary yesterday (he's alive and well in the Astros' camp in Kissimmee, Fla., near Orlando), and while he didn't use his workload in 2006 as an excuse, he speculated that it may have affected him last year. Tom Gordon believes that pitching in half the Yankees' games in 2004 and 2005 contributed to his injury problems during the past two seasons and the partial tear in his shoulder that he'll attempt to pitch through this year.

So, what's the solution? Gordon said relievers have to tell their managers when they need a day off, but that isn't easy. No reliever wants to admit he's tired, even when he can't lift his arm. Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said teams have to carefully monitor their relievers, but that's difficult, too. When the stakes are high to win, it's hard not to use your best relievers. Last September, Dubee and Charlie Manuel called on Gordon, Brett Myers and J.C. Romero in nearly every game.

Thus, relievers will keep pitching, even when they probably shouldn't.

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We'll try to get some Phillies reaction today to Beltran's comments, although Rollins, the player most likely to return fire, hasn't arrived in camp yet. He's expected to be here tomorrow or Tuesday, just in time for the first full-squad workout.

Feb. 16 -- BELTRAN TO ROLLINS: 'WE'RE THE TEAM TO BEAT'

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Old friend Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News brings us this bit of news from Mets' camp in Port St. Lucie: Carlos Beltran, normally a man of few words, did his best impression of Jimmy Rollins today, declaring the Mets will be the "team to beat" in the NL East.

"Let me tell you this: Without [Johan] Santana, we felt as a team we have a chance to win in our division," Beltran said. "With him now, I have no doubt that we’re going to win in our division. I have no doubt in that. We've got what it takes. We have good chemistry as a team. He fits great because he's a great guy. He's one of the best pitchers in the game. Who doesn't want to have him on any ballclub? Without him last year we did good until the end of the season. So this year, to Jimmy Rollins, we are the team to beat."

Wow. Should be interesting when Beltran gets his first at-bat at Citizens Bank Park.

Feb. 16 -- DAY 3: PRACTICAL JOKERS

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- How relaxed are the Phillies on the third day of camp? After today's workout, Kyle Kendrick got Punk'd.

Ashton Kutcher would've been proud.

Brett Myers (who else?) was the ring-leader for a well-organized prank that was aided by Charlie Manuel, Ruben Amaro Jr., director of team travel Frank Coppenbarger and the Phillies' press corps. Even Kendrick's agent, Joe Urbon, was in on the scam, which went something like this:

Amaro called Kendrick into Manuel's office to inform him he had been traded to the Yomiuri Giants of the Japanese Central League for a player named "Kobayashi Iwamura." The Phillies had a letter printed that authorized the deal. A dazed, and very confused, Kendrick was gullible enough to believe it. He left Manuel's office and phoned Urbon, who confirmed the "deal." Amaro announced the trade to reporters (we were clued in to what was happening), and there was a mock interview with Kendrick, who stammered and stuttered before saying, "I don't know what to think right now."

"You've been Punk'd," Myers hollered.

Laughter ensued. Kendrick breathed a huge sigh of relief and said, "I've never been so happy. Seriously. Wow." Asked if he was planning retribution for Myers, Kendrick said, "I don't think I can get him that good."

So, are the Phillies having fun down here? You bet.

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Turns out, Kris Benson did throw today after all. He tossed 60 pitches off a bullpen mound to minor-league catcher Tuffy Gosewisch (definitely the best name in camp), and after getting treatment for his surgically repaired right shoulder, he finally addressed reporters. "It's been coming along great as far as where I'm at right now at not even 11 months [post-op]," Benson said. "The goal is to be ready by opening day. Realistically, do I think I'll be able to make it? I don't know. Through this whole process, I've realized the shoulder has a mind of its own. Today, it could be feeling great. Tomorrow, I could do the same thing, and it doesn't feel great."

Asked if he's willing to open the season in the minors, he said: "It all depends on where they see me getting into the ball team at that time. Do I have a problem going down to the minor leagues and making a handful of starts? Of course not. My goal is to make it back to the big leagues, so if I go with any team, I'm going to have to do that."

Oh, by the way, Anna Benson isn't here yet, but she's expected to arrive next week. We'll keep an eye out for her.

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Eleven non-arbitration players (pitchers Joe Bisenius, Fabio Castro, Clay Condrey, John Ennis, J.A. Happ, Lincoln Holdzkom, Shane Youman, Mike Zagurski and catchers Chris Coste, Jason Jaramillo and Carlos Ruiz) have agreed to split contracts, which means they get paid one salary if they're in the majors and another in the minors.