BY SCOTT LAUBERNever got to this yesterday. Too busy voting, and then, too riveted to the election coverage, I suppose. But there were a few things that struck me from Ruben Amaro Jr.'s press conference Monday. We'll go through them now, point by point, and I'm interested to get your thoughts.
1. Pat Burrell: Asked if the Phillies will aggressively try to re-signing the left fielder, Amaro said, "We haven't made a decision yet." He said negotiations haven't begun with Burrell's agents, Greg Genske and Philly-based Ed Hayes. Burrell has said he'd like to come back, but at this point, he may be best-suited to be a DH. And he figures to get a lucrative contract offer from several teams. Amaro seems to have ruled out Manny Ramirez (too expensive) as a replacement. So, if Burrell bolts, what are the alternatives? Amaro noted two in-house options -- Matt Stairs and Geoff Jenkins -- and several months ago, Charlie Manuel and Davey Lopes expressed their belief that Greg Dobbs' best position may well be left field. Gary Matthews, with whom I have written a book that will be released later this month (have I mentioned that?), is an advocate for free-agent Milton Bradley. Ken Griffey Jr. filed for free agency yesterday. Garret Anderson, Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez, Emil Brown, Rocco Baldelli and Mark Kotsay are also in the free-agent pool.
Do any of those options interest you?
2. Amaro mentioned that he likely will be interviewing an outside candidate for one of the assistant general manager openings. I'm not sure who it will be, but I know he has a good relationship with former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky, who has been working as a special assistant with the Mets. Chuck LaMar may well step into the other assistant GM spot. Just something to watch for/think about.
3. Jamie Moyer appears to be looking for a multiyear contract ("He wants to pitch until he's 50," Amaro said), and after he led the Phillies with 16 regular-season victories, it would be difficult not to give it to him. That said, I'd be careful about giving Moyer anything more than a two-year contract. When that arm finally goes, it often goes in a hurry. Just ask Greg Maddux.
4. Regardless of what happens with Burrell, Amaro said the Phillies' top priority will continue to be pitching. I think they may look into getting another starter and another reliever to help Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero and Chad Durbin in the setup innings.
8 comments:
For left field, if Burrell walks, I like Ibanez the best. He's very consistent plus he has power that will only be exploited in CBP. Stairs is no good enough as a regular, but if needed Jenkins might still get the job done. I would stay FAR away from Baldelli (injuries a plenty!) Anderson (OLD! and injuries) and Bradely (attitude!). The others you mentioned might be good options.
NOOOOooooooooo to Milton Bradley. It would seem that the chemistry is very good on this team. Why place a stick of dynamite in the locker room?
E.Brown, C.Blake, J.Rivera are better options.
Has anyone considered Gabe Kapler? He hit over .300 this year in a similar role he would have here. Remember the right handed part of a platoon plays only about 1/3 of the time as the lefty.And he wouldn't cost a draft pick.
I agree, I think Rivera, Blake are better options, Rivera would fit the mold well because he hits really well against lefties and is serviceable enough in left.
contrary to most, I love the idea of Milton Bradley in the Phils outfield. a switch hitting +300 hitter with pop in this ballpark... yikes. As far as the attitude the guy has never played for a winner and seems ultra competitive maybe he just needs a more positive atmosphere. And there is familiarity as he was a high school teammate of Chase Utley.
"Has anyone considered Gabe Kapler?"
wasnt he on Welcome Back Kotter?
first off the phils should resign burrell. he will sign here for a fair offer. if not they should go after manny. why would you be interested in spending 10mm per for a platoon or below avg player??? the extra money spent on manny would garuntee increased revenue far exceding his cost. more sell outs coupled with higher ticket prices would insure a good return on the manny investment. regardless the fans love burrell and they need a solid lineup to return in 09. amaro is not a philly favorite and shaking things up too much would be a terrible idea. if the offensive product that we see this year isnt comparible to last years amaro might as well just quit. as far as trading for holiday, if that trade offer includes victorino amaro should buy his own ticket out of town.
I don't want to make anyone upset anyone, but the Phillies got a big problem on their hands. Howard, Hamels, Blanton, Victorino, Werth, Madson, Durbin & others are arbitration eligible. Lidge is due a 4.5MM hike. Utley & Myers raise 3.5MM too. Jenkins rises 1.75MM. Howard's going to rise by 5-8 million. Hamels will jump 3-4 million. Blanton, Victorino & Werth will all raise 2-3 million each.
Jamie Moyer wants a multi-year deal. He's 46. They got anxieties from that Eaton contract they're still stuck with. Moyer was better this year than Glavine was last year. Glavine got 8 million from ATL and it was seen as a ''discount'' rate. Let's say they're lucky enough to get Moyer & Eyre back on one year deals though. Say eight million and two million.
Now the payroll is projected to be at least 125 million. Are the Phillies known for spending? No, not really. Even when they spended on Thome they planned on trading him in the future with the drafting of Howard. The Phillies begged teams to take Burrell & Abreu's contracts off their hands for years. They won't give Burrell more than 2 years. There's a team out there in the AL who'll give it to him to DH. Or perhaps LA if Manny leaves. Or maybe even the Mets. Jenkins is not productive enough to start. They'll get stuck platooning Stairs & Bruntlett with him. They'll probably wind up signing Payton or E. Brown. Or Baldelli as a platoon at best. Their ownership doesn't like to spend and Gillick's gone. Amaro will do everything he can to please ownership. Amaro has some tough tasks. And there's been a severe lack of success in previous NL World Champs & NL teams who've been in the WS.
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