(Part 5 of a High Fidelity-style series recalling five of our favorite moments from the 2008 Phillies season.)
BY SCOTT LAUBER
After the rain, there was the reign.
It took 28 years -- and, then, 46 long hours -- but the Phillies finally won the World Series, vanquishing the upstart Tampa Bay Rays, 4-3, in rain-interrupted Game 5 at the Bank. For the record, the final out was recorded at 9:58 p.m. on Oct. 29, a cold Wednesday night, when Brad Lidge (who else?) threw one last hellacious slider to strike out Eric Hinske, then dropped to his knees and was swarmed on the mound by his teammates. After catcher Carlos Ruiz embraced Lidge, Ryan Howard leveled them with the sort of hit that the Eagles are hoping to put on Adrian Peterson this Sunday. Fireworks exploded overhead. The 50-foot neon Liberty Bell swung and clanged in right field. And a sellout crowd -- representing a city that hadn't celebrated a World Series since 1980 or any major pro sports championship since 1983 -- went delirious.
Years from now, we'll remember that Pat Burrell started the game-winning rally in the seventh inning with a leadoff double in his final Phillies at-bat. We'll remember that Pedro Feliz delivered the championship-clinching hit in the seventh inning, a single through Tampa Bay's drawn-in infield against side-winding relieving Chad Bradford. We'll remember that pinch-running Eric Bruntlett raced home from third base with the winning run, shades of Game 3 when he made a mad dash to the plate on Ruiz's 30-foot dribbler down the third-base line in the bottom of the ninth. And we'll remember that Cole Hamels was named World Series MVP, collecting a trophy that proved the perfect companion to his NLCS MVP hardware.
And, now, Hamels and Howard, Utley and Rollins, Lidge and Burrell and the rest of the 2008 Phillies will stand forever alongside Carlton and Schmidt, Rose and Bowa, McGraw and Luzinski and the other heroes of 1980 that they've heard so much about.
"We wanted to change the face of the organization," Howard said amid the frat party-like celebration. "We did that. We're losers no more. The organization is a bunch of winners, and nobody can take that away from us."
*** So, those are my five favorite moments from 2008. What were yours?
(Part 4 of a series recalling five of our favorite moments from the 2008 Phillies season.)
BY SCOTT LAUBER
Matt Stairs wasn't the Phillies' most practiced hitter. In fact, he had gotten only two at-bats through the first seven playoff games. But swinging a bat has never been overly complicated for Stairs, a short and stocky 40-year-old wannabe hockey player from Canada. His two-part philosophy couldn't be more simple.
Wait for a fastball.
Swing as hard as you can.
So, Stairs was the perfect hitter to send to the plate on Oct. 13 at Dodger Stadium, in the eighth inning of Game 4 of the NLCS. Three batters earlier, Shane Victorino, Public Enemy No. 1 in La La Land after his Game 3 flare-up with pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, belted a game-tying two-run home run into the Phillies' bullpen. Now, with two out and Carlos Ruiz on first base, Stairs ran a 3-1 count against hard-throwing Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton, who loves his mid-90s fastball. Desperately needing to throw a strike, Broxton unleashed a 95-mph heater that Stairs launched over the right-field pavilion to give the Phillies a 7-5 victory.
Brad Lidge recorded a four-out save, and the Phillies took a 3-1 lead in the series. Joe Torre canceled the Dodgers' workout the following day, effectively waving the white flag and handing the Phillies their first NL pennant since 1993.
"In hockey, you shoot as hard as you can, so I've always figured, why not swing as hard as I can," Stairs, the everyman hero, said later. "In batting practice, I try to hit every ball out of the ballpark. I'm not going to lie. I try to hit home runs, and that's it."
(Part 3 of a series recalling five of our favorite moments from the 2008 Phillies season.)
BY SCOTT LAUBER
It wasn't an easy season for Jimmy Rollins.
Rollins, the 2007 NL MVP, badly sprained his left ankle in the season's eighth game April 8 in New York, went on the disabled list April 20 and didn't return until May 9. He was removed from a June 5 game against the Cincinnati Reds for not running out a pop fly, and he was benched July 24 for arriving an hour later than Charlie Manuel's mandated time before a 12:10 p.m. game at Shea Stadium. Then, during a trip to Los Angeles on Aug. 13, he appeared in-studio at the Best Damn Sports Show and called Phillies fans "front-runners." A day later, he apologized for his choice of words but called for fans to give off less "negative energy" and to offer unconditional positive reinforcement, whether the Phils are winning or losing. Upon returning to the Bank on Aug. 19, Rollins was booed loudly and fell into a miserable slump.
Needless to say, he wasn't going to win another MVP award.
But all was forgiven on Sept. 27 when Rollins impossibly started the double play that clinched the NL East championship. With the Phillies clinging to a 4-3 lead, the tying run on third base and Brad Lidge in jeopardy of blowing his first save, Rollins dove and knocked down Ryan Zimmerman's grounder up the middle. He gathered himself and flipped the ball to Chase Utley, who, gritting through what had to be searing pain in his right hip, pivoted and threw a strike to Ryan Howard.
It was the double play that saved the day.
6-4-3 never looked so good on your scoresheet.
"I wasn't impressed," Rollins said later, after seeing a replay of the double play. "You guys have seen me make that play plenty of times. I've made that play 100 times. It seemed bigger because of the situation. But it's not like I laid all the way out, flipped the ball behind my head, and, 'I can't believe he did that.'"
(Part 2 of a series recalling five of our favorite moments from the 2008 Phillies season.)
BY SCOTT LAUBER
So, by now, I think y'all know about my book about the 2008 season. Well, by Sept. 11, the Phils were four games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL wild-card race, and my co-author, Gary Matthews, was beginning to doubt that they'd make the playoffs.
That all changed in four days.
Actually, after Jamie Moyer's gutsy 5.2-inning performance on three days' rest in the Sept. 11 opener of a four-game series against the Brewers, Sarge was pretty sure the Phils would be playing in October. Why the change of heart? Well, the Brewers were reeling, and then-manager Ned Yost steadfastly refused to pitch CC Sabathia on short rest, mainly because he wanted to save his ace for a big series against the Chicago Cubs the following week.
The Phillies took full advantage. They supported Moyer by scoring five runs in six innings against Ben Sheets. Then, after a Sept. 12 rainout, they chased starter Manny Parra and exhausted the Brewers' bullpen in a 7-3 victory. And, on Sunday, Sept. 14, they swept the Brewers in a day-night double-header, with Brett Myers tossing a 95-pitch complete game on short rest in the nightcap to seal the sweep.
How lopsided was the series? Check out these numbers:
-The Phillies outscored the Brewers, 26-10. -Ryan Howard batted .385 (5-for-13) with two homers and seven RBIs in the four games, but he wasn't even the hottest Phillies hitter. Jimmy Rollins batted .538 (7-for-13) with four RBIs, and Shane Victorino batted .500 (7-for-14) with four RBIs. Chase Utley had only one RBI but went 5-for-14 (.357). -Prince Fielder went 5-for-12 (.417) with two homers and three RBIs, but Phillies pitching silenced the Brewers' other big boppers. Ryan Braun went 1-for-16 with a solo homer; J.J. Hardy went 2-for-17 with a solo homer; Cory Hart went 2-for-15 without an RBI. -The Phillies batted .325 (39-for-120) with a .954 on-base/slugging percentage; the Brewers batted .169 (21-for-124) with a .630 on-base/slugging percentage.
When the series was over, the Phils and Brewers were tied for the wild card, and the Phillies were only one game behind the division-leading New York Mets. Yost never had a chance to give the ball to Sabathia. He was fired one day after the Brewers left Philadelphia, replaced by Dale Sveum. The Phils swept the Braves in Atlanta, and after taking two of three games from the Marlins in Miami, they were NL East pace-setters during the season's last week.
Let me begin by saying this is an impossible exercise.
Picking the top five moments from the 2008 Phillies season is like selecting the five best Springsteen songs, or the five greatest movies of all-time. There simply are too many to choose from, and everyone has different tastes. Do you prefer the somber ballads or the up-tempo rock songs, the radio hits or the less-popular tracks, the romantic comedies or the edge-of-your-seat thrillers, the championship clinchers or the middle-of-the-season turning points.
But because the Phillies gave us so much to remember from 2008, I figured we'd take the next five days, in the sleepy week between Christmas and New Year's Eve, to look back at some of those moments. I'm sure you have five, or 10, or 15, or a million, of your own, so if your mind wanders over the next few days, shoot us some comments with your favorite 2008 Phillies memories. Meanwhile, here's the first of five -- we'll call them "memorable" -- moments that stick in my brain whenever I reflect on the season.
No. 5: Aug. 27, Citizens Bank Park It took 5 hours and 17 minutes, and by the time it was over, after 1 a.m., most of the season's 44th sellout crowd at the Bank had gone home. But it was a result that everyone had seen before. The Mets blew another big lead, and the Phillies notched another improbable comeback.
OK, so it wasn't as dramatic -- or as meaningful in its singularity -- as the previous September when the Mets held a 7-game lead in the NL East with 17 games remaining and wound up coughing up the division to the surging Phillies.
But it certainly seemed symbolic.
This time, the Mets led 7-0 with five innings remaining. They chased Jamie Moyer after three innings, his shortest start of the season. Yet, impossibly, the Phillies had the Mets exactly where they wanted them. The comeback started with, of all things, a fifth-inning leadoff double by reliever Clay Condrey, a broken-bat scorcher that appeared only to provide comic relief for the Phillies. Then, Jimmy Rollins, booed mercilessly when the homestand began because of his infamous "frontrunners" comment about Phillies fans the previous week, cracked a two-run home run. And when Ryan Howard swatted a first-pitch fastball from Pedro Martinez into the left-field seats, it got serious.
Martinez, the Mets' handle-with-care starter, had topped 100 pitches. A 7-0 lead had been whittled to 7-5. There was only one out in the fifth inning, and if the Mets were going to extend their division lead, their Billy Wagner-less bullpen would have to hold off the comeback-prone Phillies' offense.
No chance.
Down to their final out -- and their last pinch-hitter -- the Phils tied the game in the ninth on Eric Bruntlett's RBI double against fill-in closer Luis Ayala. Then, in the 13th, after numerous missed opportunities, they finally won -- and nudged into first place, a half-game ahead of the Mets -- when Shane Victorino roped a leadoff triple and trotted home on a bases-loaded single by Chris Coste, who went 4-for-4 despite starting the game on the bench and entering in the eighth inning.
"A lot of things happened in that game," Charlie Manuel said. Everything except a fight."
But, for the reporters who stuck around long after their newspaper deadlines, Rollins offered fightin' words.
"The other team gives you some inspiration, let's put it that way," he said, rather cryptically, of the Mets. "You're able to take that and keep yourself motivated."
Care to elaborate, Jimmy?
"No, just watch 'em," he said. "If you were a player and you're looking over in that other dugout, you'll feel a certain type of way. Rewind the game. Just watch the game."
Fair enough. And although the Mets won the following night to move back into first place, history did repeat itself, in a sense, in September. The Mets led the Phils by 3-1/2 games on Sept. 10, but the Phillies went 13-3 down the stretch and won the division. The Mets? They went 7-10 and missed the playoffs. Again.
Also, starting Friday and running through Dec. 30, we plan to count down our five favorite Phillies moments from 2008, a year that gave us plenty to choose from. So, please, check back for that.
So, I was at a book signing yesterday (more on that below) when an inquisitive reader asked me and Gary Matthews about our favorite moment from the 2008 season. Sarge, it seems, had 48 favorite moments, each time Brad Lidge recorded a save.
Me? Well, when you have the rare privilege of covering a World Series champ, there are no shortage of memorable moments. Off the top of my head, though, I came up with Matt Stairs' game-winning, pinch-hit home run in Game 4 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium. It was almost midnight on Oct. 13, and with the The News Journal's print deadline fast approaching, I was pecking away at my game story when Stairs connected with a 3-1 fastball from hard-throwing closer Jonathan Broxton. At the sound of bat meeting ball, my head snapped up from my computer, and I watched in wonder as Stairs' two-run shot sailed toward the pavilion in right field.
You won't see a more clutch homer.
Stairs gave the Phillies a 7-5 lead in the game (after they trailed 5-3). It also gave them a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, and after the game, Joe Torre announced that the Dodgers wouldn't be working out on the off-day before Game 5. He was waving the white flag, I thought. Stairs' home run didn't officially clinch the NL pennant, but with his blast, the Phils all but punched their ticket for the World Series.
So, that was my favorite Phillies moment from 2008.
What was yours?
*** Thanks, so much, to everybody who came out to see me and Sarge at the Borders in Springfield on Thursday night and Sam's Club in Willow Grove yesterday. In 90 minutes, we sold all 200 copies of Phillies Confidential at Sam's Club. Don't worry, though. The manager assures me that they're ordering more, and there's still time for you to snatch up a copy and put it under the Christmas tree. And if you had a hard time answering our question above, Phillies Confidential is a great way for you to re-live all of those exciting moments.
*** Typically, Christmas is a slow time around baseball, and I don't expect any big announcements from the Phillies this week. But, in our Sunday MLB notes, we have a closer look at Raul Ibanez, whose strongest influence was his father.
It wasn't as catchy as "team to beat" or "choke artists," but pitcher John Maine jumped into the Phillies-Mets war of words yesterday when, in essence, he told Jimmy Rollins, Cole Hamels and the rest of the champs to put a sock in it.
"I don't really care, but I just don't get it," Maine told New York reporters, referring to Hamels' "choke artists" comment about the Mets on WFAN last week. "At the end of the year, they won the World Series. Congratulations. Let's focus on the things they accomplished. Don't worry about what's going on up in New York. I mean, I don't get it."
Neither do I, but you can't deny that the verbal jabs between the Phillies and Mets have made the rivalry even more entertaining.
*** Completely shameless self-promotion alert: Gary Matthews and I will be signing copies of our book, Phillies Confidential: The Untold Inside Story of the 2008 Championship Season, at 7 tonight at the Borders on Baltimore Pike in Springfield, Pa. I know it's short notice, but if you don't catch us there, we'll also be at the Sam's Club in Willow Grove, Pa. at 1 p.m. Saturday. Also, you can hear me talk about the book -- and about the Phillies' offseason moves -- with Brian Startare after the Flyers game tonight on 610 WIP.
Don't mean to distract from the post below about the Phillies' projected 2009 payroll, but I wanted to pass along an announcement from the club about 10 non-roster invitees to spring training. There are a few intriguing names, including right-handed relievers Dave Borkowski, Mike Koplove and Blaine Neal. Of the three, Koplove, a University of Delaware product and Philly native, has had the most major-league success. But Neal, a South Jersey native, went 1-0 with a 1.21 ERA and 26 saves in 38 appearances for the Tigers' Class AAA team last season.
Regardless, it appears assistant GM Chuck LaMar is rebuilding the Lehigh Valley roster and trying to provide the Phillies with more depth and insurance against injury.
Here's the list: Borkowski (13-20, 5.87 ERA in 181 major-league games) Koplove (15-7, 3.82 ERA in 222 major-league games) Neal (5-4, 5.08 ERA in 133 major-league games) RHP Justin Lehr (4-3, 5.31 ERA in 66 major-league games) INF Mike Cervenak (.311/10 HR/66 RBI at Lehigh Valley last season) SS Ozzie Chavez (.232/4/33 in the Brewers' farm system last season) INF J.J. Furmaniak (.186 in 29 career major-league games) 3B Terry Tiffee (.378 average for Dodgers' Class AAA team last year) 1B Andy Tracy (.288/22/85 at Lehigh Valley last season) OF Chris Walker (.257/1/27 for Class AAA Salt Lake last season)
Also, the Phillies have signed 11 minor-league free agents: RHP Yorman Bazardo, RHP Yoel Hernandez, RHP Justin Pope, LHP Jason Mackintosh, LHP Joshua Shortslef, 1B/OF Brian Stavisky, OF Casey Craig, OF Kevin Mahar, OF Wilkin Ruan, OF Mike Spidale and OF Rich Thompson.
BY SCOTT LAUBER A week ago, Ruben Amaro Jr. sat in a suite on the 31st floor of the Bellagio and vowed that he was ready to make a few moves if only the parties he was dealing with would say, "Yes."
He wasn't kidding.
Over the past seven days, the Phillies, under Amaro's stewardship, have traded for backup catcher Ronny Paulino, re-signed left-hander Jamie Moyer, reached a preliminary agreement with right-hander Chan Ho Park and signed free-agent left fielder Raul Ibanez. In a hectic flourish, they fortified their starting rotation, added a potential piece to the bullpen and replaced Pat Burrell in left field.
So, what's left?
Well, before spring training begins, Amaro hopes to balance the bench with another right-handed hitter, perhaps pick up another reliever and unload Adam Eaton. But, really, most of his heavy lifting is finished. Primarily, the rest of the Phillies' offseason will be dominated by one word: arbitration. The Phils have eight arbitration-eligible players, including Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels, and while I wouldn't expect them to receive a long-term contract (really, there's no rush, since Howard can't become a free agent until 2011 and Hamels is under the Phillies' control through 2012), it's entirely possible that Jayson Werth, eligible for free agency after 2009, will get a multi-year deal.
In that spirit, I thought we'd take a look at the 2009 payroll to see where the Phillies stand before they begin to negotiate their arbitratin cases. Keep in mind, the Opening Day payroll last season was a club-record $98 million. It will be considerably higher in 2009.
Under contract:Brett Myers ($12 million), Brad Lidge ($11.5 million), Chase Utley ($11 million), Adam Eaton ($8.5 million), Raul Ibanez ($8.5 million), Jimmy Rollins ($7.5 million), Geoff Jenkins ($6.75 million), Jamie Moyer ($6.5 million), Pedro Feliz ($5 million), J.C. Romero ($4 million), Chan Ho Park ($2.5 million), Scott Eyre ($2 million), Matt Stairs ($1 million), Eric Bruntlett ($800,000), Clay Condrey ($650,000).
Arbitration eligible (2008 salary):Ryan Howard ($10 million), Joe Blanton ($3.7 million), Jayson Werth ($1.7 million), Ryan Madson ($1.55 million), Chad Durbin ($900,000), Cole Hamels ($500,000), Shane Victorino ($480,000), Greg Dobbs ($440,000).
Non-arbitration eligible (2008 salary):Kyle Kendrick ($445,000), Carlos Ruiz ($425,000), Ronny Paulino ($423,500), Chris Coste ($415,000), J.A. Happ (390,000).
OK, so the Phillies already are committed to about $88.2 million. Even if they're able to dump Eaton, they'll almost certainly have to eat most of his salary. The arbitration-eligible players made a total of $19.27 million last season, and a conservative estimate is that their combined raises will approach $20 million. That would push the payroll toward $125 million.
*** Talked on the phone with Dobbs last night, and like most people, he simply raved about Ibanez's character and work ethic. Dobbs always was on the bubble for the Mariners' final roster spot in 2005 and 2006, a tenuous position that often grew frustrating. Early in his career, Ibanez had been there, and he spent considerable time reassuring Dobbs that he'd make his mark, either with Seattle or elsewhere.
"I felt fortunate to be a teammate of his in Seattle," Dobbs said. "Even as a young player, I'd go to him with whatever was on my mind. When I was the 25th guy on the team, he helped keep me motivated, kept pushing me forward to believe that I wouldn't be in that spot my whole career. He helped me keep the faith. He reinforced in me that he went through the same thing in his career. His biggest blessing was getting traded to Kansas City, and in a way, my career has mirrored his. I'm nowhere near the at-bats that he's gotten, but I got picked up by Philadelphia and it kind of restarted my career.
"He's a very special teammate for me, personally. He had a very positive, and substantial, impact on me. He's a great person, and in this game, that's probably the best compliment you can get. One of the things about leaving Seattle, for me, was I knew I'd miss being around Raul. Once the season ended, there were some rumblings surrounding Pat [Burrell]. In my mind -- and I'm a little subjective -- if Pat wasn't going to come back, and it's bittersweet because I got to see what kind of teammate Pat is, but I can't think of a better guy to replace Pat than Raul. It won't be easy because Pat was 'Pat The Bat.' But Raul is a level-headed guy, and he's just going to be himself. He plays hard, hustles, and he produces. He's one of the most professional hitters I've ever been around."
(Thanks to Finger Food for the photo illustration; AP photo below).
Lots to get to for tomorrow's News Journal, but since many of you have commented or e-mailed about Raul Ibanez's defense, I wanted to pass along some comments from Ibanez, Ruben Amaro Jr. and assistant GM Benny Looper.
Ibanez: "I think, I hope, that people will be pleasantly surprised. I think that, in this game, you get a label here or there, and it's very difficult to shake that label. People come up with whatever formula they can to prove that label."
Amaro: "Our scouts don't believe that he needs to be replaced [defensively]. Is he a Barry Bonds in left field? No. But he's certainly an adequate outfielder. If you know anything about Raul, if he has a challenge, he'll do what he can to improve. So, he'll be out there working at it. We're pleased to have him. He's not going to be a defensive liability out there. It's shorter [in left field] here. He's not a burner. He's probably slightly below-average running speed. But our guys say he's a solid outfielder. He's more of an offensive player, no question about that. But sometimes you have to sacrifice certain things."
Looper: "I don't see him as a subpar defender. He doesn't have as much range as he used to. I think he'll have average range, a little below-average arm. He takes good angles on the ball. I think he'll do well here. The left field in Seattle is huge. Huge. A lot of the best left fielders have trouble there."
And, we know from talking to Charlie Manuel yesterday, that the Phils don't intend to use a defensive replacement for Ibanez.
OK, must start writing. More later. (Photo: Associated Press)
As expected, the Phillies have called a 4:30 p.m. press conference at the Bank to formally introduce their new left fielder, Raul Ibanez, who has signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract.
A few numbers about the lefty-hitting Ibanez: -Batted .305 against left-handned pitchers last season, although he's only a .268 carer hitter against lefties. -Batted .327 with runners in scoring position last season. For his career, he's a .305 hitter with runners on second and/or third base. -His 338 RBIs over the past three seasons ranked second among AL outfielders behind only Magglio Ordonez. -He will wear No. 29 (just in time to buy those jerseys for Christmas).
"Raul not only brings a big bat to our lineup, but also a terrific attitude to the clubhouse," Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement released by the team. "He is a quality individual that will fit in well with our club. We believe that a team wins not only with talent, but also with character and Raul has both."
We'll be at the Bank for the 4:30 announcement. Meantime, what would you like to know about Ibanez? Let me know, and maybe, just maybe, I'll ask your question.
*** For those who pay attention to the minor leagues, here are the Phils' 2009 coaching staffs at each level of the farm system:
Lehigh Valley (Class AAA): manager- Dave Huppert; pitching coach- Rod Nichols; coach- Greg Gross. Reading (Class AA): manager- Steve Roadcap; pitching coach- Steve Schrenk; coach- Frank Cacciatore. Clearwater (Class A): manager- Ernie Whitt; pitching coach- Dave Lundquist; coaches- Ramon Henderson, Kevin Jordan. Lakewood (Class A): manager- Dusty Wathan; pitching coach- Bob Milacki; coach- Greg Legg. Williamsport (short-season): manager- Chris Truby; pitching coach- Tom Filer; coach- Eric Valent. Gulf Coast (rookie): manager- Roly deArmas; pitching coaches- Aris Tirado, Carlos Arroyo; coach- Luis Melendez. Coordinators: field- Mike Compton; pitching- Gorman Heimueller; hitting- Sal Rende; outfield- Jerry Martin; bunting/baserunning- P.J. Forbes; infield- Doug Mansolino.
Then, at a scheduled press conference at the Bank, Chase Utley, flanked by Amaro and head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan and with Charlie Manuel seated nearby, updated everyone on the status of his surgically repaired right hip. Utley told a few jokes, too. There weren't many laughs, but at least he didn't have any shoes thrown at him.
Once Utley was through, Amaro announced the Phils finanlly reached an agreement on a two-year contract with 46-year-old left-hander Jamie Moyer, who likely is the oldest player ever to receive a multi-year deal. Then, a few hours later, Moyer held a conference call with reporters and discussed the negotiations. I also spoke to Moyer's agent, Jim Bronner, who said most interested teams were "averse" to giving a multi-year deal to a 46-year-old.
So, what's next?
Don't be surprised if the Phillies call another press conference later today to introduce their new left fielder, Raul Ibanez. Ibanez, a left-handed hitter who agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract last Friday, will be joining a Phillies lineup that now leans farther to the left than Keith Olbermann. But Utley, another lefty, isn't overly concerned.
"I think left-handed hitters are really good hitters," he said before nodding to Manuel. "Charlie, you're a left-hander, right? Were you a good hitter?"
"Sure was," Manuel said.
Everybody chuckled.
OK, so the Phillies have re-signed Moyer to bolster their rotation, picked up Park to possibly help the bullpen (he could be the No. 5 starter, too) and signed a left fielder to replace Pat Burrell -- and it's not even Christmas.
What more would you like to see from Amaro & Co. before spring training?
So, Jamie Moyer, what took so long for you to re-sign with the Phillies?
"In my estimation, I don't think it really dragged on," Moyer said in a teleconference today after signing a two-year contract. "Negotiations are negotiations. Both sides take their stand for what they feel is right. It's all about timing. The timing was right. It all got resolved. I'm happy to be a Phillie again, to defend our World Series championship."
But it wasn't exactly a slam dunk, right?
"When you get involved with negotiations, I think you approach it open-mindedly," he said. "After last season, and winning the World Series, I was very interested in coming back to the Phillies. They showed great interest and said they'd love to have me back. But you go through the process. There were other clubs that did show interest. We talked to them. The Phillies showed interested as well. Did I ever think I wouldn't be back with the Phillies? No. But I've been through this process long enough, you never know how the market is going to go. From my side of it, I didn't know what the Phillies were doing in seeking out other free agents or trades. But I was hoping to be a Phillie again."
More later.
(Updated, 6:30 p.m.): Here are some details on Moyer's contract: He's guaranteed no less than $13 million. He'll make a base salary of $6.5 million 2009 and 2010. His 2010 salary can escalate to as much as $11 million based on innings pitched in '09 ($250,000 for 150 innings, $500,000 each for 160, 170, 180 and 190 innings) and starts in '09 ($250,000 for 23 starts, $500,000 each for 25, 27, 29 and 31 starts). Also, he can earn $250,000 performance bonuses each year for 150, 160, 170, 180 and 190 innings pitched.
To give you an idea of whether he can reach those plateaus, Moyer made 33 starts in each of the past two seasons. Last season, he pitched 196-1/3 innings. In 2007, he pitched 199-1/3 innings.
Oh, by the way, Moyer's family Christmas cards feature a picture of him holding the pitching rubber that he dug up from the mound at the Bank during the World Series celebration. Nice touch, don't you think?
Rather than get bogged down by the nuts and bolts of Chase Utley's lengthy rehab (you'll get that in tomorrow's News Journal, anyway), here are a few other highlights from his press conference here today.
On his infamous, expletive-laced speech at the World Series parade: "That was definitely an emotional day that we all had. That drive down Broad Street was one of the best days of my life. I imagine for a lot of Phillies fans it was the same. I could've used different words to express myself. At the time, I didn't. I would tell kids not to use that word. But if they're 29 and they win the World Series, I think they can say that. I definitely would say to all the kids out there, 'Kids, that's a bad word. Don't say it.'"
On the Phillies' decision not to re-sign Pat Burrell: "He's one of my good friends, so it's going to be a little different around the clubhouse. You cannot replace the personality that he brings to the field every day. He really is a special individual. It's going to be a little different. It's going to maybe be tough at first. He kind of took me under his wing when I first got to the big leagues and showed me the ropes. But, again, you have to understand this is business. The whole point is to continue to win."
Came here to the Bank to talk to Chase Utley about his rehab from right hip surgery, and learned that the Phillies have re-signed Jamie Moyer to a two-year contract. Both years are guaranteed. Financial terms weren't immediately available.
"For us, to go two years guaranteed, I think it shows our commitment to him," Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a press conference a few minutes ago. "But he's probably one of our best conditioned athletes. His dedication to his craft is as high as anybody on our club. Jamie is going to do whatever he can to play out his contract and be an effective pitcher for us."
We'll hear from Jamie during a conference call at 4:15 p.m., so I'll have much more from him later.
*** Regarding Utley: He was in good spirits, even cracking a few jokes during his news conference. Still no word on whether he'll be ready to play by Opening Day, but Utley said he's hoping to play in spring-training games by mid-March. He will go for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Bryan Kelly, his surgeon in New York, in mid-January, and he likely will be able to resume baseball activities (swinging a bat, etc.) until mid-February.
*** About Chan Ho Park: Amaro confirmed a tentative deal with Park, who likely won't have his physical exam until January. Amaro and Charlie Manuel said Park will have a chance to compete for the No. 5 starter spot behind Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Joe Blanton and Moyer. That said, I think the Phillies' young pitchers (J.A. Happ, Carlos Carrasco and Kyle Kendrick) will have every chance to win that spot. So, to me, it seems more likely that Park will fit into the middle of the Phillies' bullpen.
Finally, Amaro said the Phillies have made contact with "20 or so" players who weren't tendered contracts last week. So, if the Phillies add to their bullpen or pick up a right-handed hitter for their bench, it could be from that list of players. More on that later, too.
In about two hours, Chase Utley will meet reporters at the Bank to discuss his rehabilitation from right hip surgery. We'll be there to bring you the details. But there's more news from the Phillies, namely the signing of free-agent right-hander Chan Ho Park, pending a physical. Park and new left fielder Raul Ibanez are expected to be introduced this week, possibly in a joint press conference.
The news was reported early this morning by the Korea Times after Park held a news conference in Seoul. According to the report, Park will make $2.5 million in 2009 and could make as much as $5 million in performance bonuses. Park told reporters that he picked the Phillies over the Giants, Diamondbacks, Royals and Blue Jays.
"I selected Philadelphia because they are the World Series champions and have high expectations for a playoff berth next season," he said. "I was a little worried about Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Phillies, which is hitter-friendly. But as they considered me as a starter, I signed with Philadelphia."
Park, 35, said he prefers to start, and while I'm sure he'll get consideration for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, I think his greatest value to the Phillies will come as a reliever who can pitch multiple innings. Surely, that's a question for Ruben Amaro Jr. later today. Park revived his career last season, going 4-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 55 appearances for the Dodgers.
That's all it took for Francisco Rodriguez to jump into the Mets-Phillies rivalry.
K-Rod, as Rodriguez is often called, held a teleconference with the New York media today after agreeing to a three-year, $37 million contract with the Mets on Tuesday night. Prompted, I'm sure, by a reporter, the record-breaking closer predicted the Mets -- embolded after beefing up their bullpen with Rodriguez and J.J. Putz -- will win the NL East in 2009 and even referred to the Phillies as "the other team."
"Of course we're going to be the frontrunner," Rodriguez told reporters. "Of course were going to be the team to beat. I don't want there to be a controversy. I don't want the other team to take it personally, or take it in a bad way. But I'm a really competitive guy. I like to win. ... If they ask me, 'Who's going to be the ball club that will win the National League East,' it'll be the Mets."
Two days ago, Cole Hamelsreferred to the Mets as "choke artists," something that, in addition to being accurate, got plenty of attention in New York. The trash talk between the Phillies and Mets is entertaining, but at this point, it's getting kind of tiring, too. Personally, I can't get too worked up over it. Can you? (Photo: Associated Press)
This just in from the Phillies: utility infielder Eric Bruntlett and reliever Clay Condrey, two of the Phils' 10 arbitration-eligible players, have agreed to contracts for 2009. Financial terms were undisclosed, but you can bet both will receive modest raises. Bruntlett (.217, 2 HR, 15 RBI) made $600,000 in 2008, while Condrey (3-4, 3.26 ERA, 56 appearances) made $420,000.
So, that leaves Ryan Madson, Jayson Werth, Joe Blanton, Chad Durbin, Ryan Howard, Greg Dobbs, Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino as the Phils' remaining arbitration-eligible players. As expected, all were tendered contracts for 2009. Barring any agreements beforehand, their agents will exchange 2009 salary figures with the Phillies next month. Then, the sides will have a few weeks to negotiate a contract before going to arbitration hearings in February. (Phillies new assistant GM Scott Proefrock is going to have a busy January.)
Based on some conversations that I had at the winter meetings, Werth is a possible candidate for a multiyear contract. The Phillies would like to reach a multiyear deal with Madson, but his agent, Scott Boras, usually advises his clients to pursue free agency. Werth and Madson can be free agents after the '09 season. Howard and Hamels are the Phillies' most high-profile arbitration-eligible players. It'll be interesting to see whether the Phils can reach long-term agreements with them, although I wouldn't hold my breath. Keep in mind, too, that Howard can't become a free agent until after the 2011 season. Hamels won't be eligible to file for free agency until after 2012. So, there's really no rush.
*** The deadline to tender contracts to unsigned players came and went at midnight. Right-hander Scott Mathieson was non-tendered, then re-signed to a minor-league contract, according to an announcement released by the Phillies. Basically, that only means that Mathieson will make less than the minimum major-league salary while he recovers from his second Tommy John elbow surgery.
*** Don't expect an official announcement on Raul Ibanez until early next week.
The free-agent pool grew last night when the deadline passed for teams to tender 2009 contracts to unsigned players. We'll spare you the full list, but here are a few names that we've seen so far that may raise eyebrows in front offices across the majors:
Pitchers:Yhency Brazoban (Dodgers), Chris Capuano (Brewers), Daniel Cabrera (Orioles), Chuck James (Braves), Joe Nelson (Marlins), Scott Proctor (Dodgers), Tim Redding (Nationals), Takashi Saito (Dodgers) Infielders:Angel Berroa (Dodgers), Chris Burke (Diamondbacks), Ty Wigginton (Astros) Outfielders:Joey Gathright (Royals), Jonny Gomes (Rays), Norris Hopper (Reds), Willy Taveras (Rockies)
Do any of those players interest the Phillies? Not sure. We'll try to find out in the coming days. I will say this: The Phils are looking for a reliever, and Saito, Proctor and Nelson have had varying degrees of success. Proctor and Saito also have had arm problems that required surgery, which explains why they're on this list. To me, Cabrera is intriguing. Orioles fans know all about his untapped potential. He always has been plagued by control problems, but if the right pitching coach can harness his talent, he could be a terrific find for some lucky team's starting rotation.
So, the first thing I've noticed about the Raul Ibanez signing is that everyone seems to have a different opinion. Some folks believe Ibanez will be a suitable replacement for Pat Burrell, maybe even an upgrade. Others wonder how in the name of Jamie Moyer the Phillies could give a three-year contract to a guy who will be 37 in June.
My take: The Phillies have discussed getting younger and more athletic in left field. Ibanez is older and not much faster than/defensively superior to Burrell. But he is a more consistent hitter. It would help, certainly, if he batted right-handed. Although he hit .305 against left-handed pitchers last season, that appears to have been an anomaly. He's only a .268 career hitter against lefties, compared to .293 against righties. That said, the Mariners never took him out of the lineup against tough lefties, so there's no indication that Charlie Manuel will have to either. Besides, the Mets' twin closers (Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz) are both right-handed anyway. And, regardless of which side of the plate he hits from, Ibanez figures to be more productive than a righty-lefty platoon involving Greg Dobbs, Matt Stairs, Geoff Jenkins and someone like Juan Rivera.
Regarding the three-year contract: In Vegas, multiple sources told me Burrell is looking for a three-year deal, too. Burrell, who routinely was lifted for a late-inning defensive replacement and may be best suited as a DH, made $14 million in 2008. So, spending $10 million per year for Ibanez actually is more affordable, especially when you have 10 arbitration-eligible players fixing to raise the payroll by a cumulative $20-30 million. Thus far, Ibanez actually is getting better with age. It wasn't until he turned 30 that he became an everyday player for the Royals, and over the past three years, only one AL outfielder (Magglio Ordonez) had more RBIs than Ibanez's 338. From what I hear, his health is impeccable. He played 162 games for the Mariners last season and has missed only 16 games over the past four years, thanks in part to a rigorous offseason conditioning program near his Miami-area home. Based on his track record, you won't have to worry about Ibanez's durability.
And while Burrell generally was well-liked by his teammates, anyone who has ever heard Dobbs rave about Ibanez's character and professionalism knows how highly he's regarded in the clubhouse. Ibanez comes with the endorsements of Pat Gillick and new assistant GM Benny Looper, both of whom have histories with him from their time in Seattle.
But the best thing about Ibanez: He kills the Mets. OK, it's a small sample size, but Ibanez is 13-for-37 (.351) with two homers in nine career games against the Mets. Keep that up, and he'll fit in just fine here.
So, do I like the Ibanez deal? Sure. If nothing else, it beats the alternatives.
BURRELL Age: 32 2008 stats: .250, 33 HR, 86 RBI, 74 R, 102 BB, 136 K, .507 SLG, .367 OBP Career stats (9 seasons): .257, 251 HR, 827 RBI, 655 R, 785 BB, 1,273 K, .485 SLG, .367 OBP Last four seasons: .262, 124 HR, 395 RBI, 309 R, 413 BB, 547 K, .504 SLG, .386 OBP *** Everybody hear about the five-year, $82 million contract that A.J. Burnett is about to sign with the Yankees? So, Derek Lowe is the best remaining free-agent pitcher on the market, and with the Yankees locking up both Burnett and CC Sabathia, plenty of pitching-needy teams will be lining up to give Lowe the five-year, $80 million contract that he's seeking. Is there any doubt, then, that the Phillies' best bet is re-signing Jamie Moyer?
LAS VEGAS -- About to leave for the airport here, but we're hearing the Phillies have reached a three-year, $30 million agreement with free agent Raul Ibanez, pending a physical exam. Ibanez would replace Pat Burrell in left field. Awaiting confirmation from Ruben Amaro Jr.
More as it develops.
(Updated, 9:19 a.m. Eastern): Haven't heard from Amaro, but sources have confirmed that Ibanez, in fact, has signed with the Phillies. Ibanez is a Type A free agent, so the Phils will forfeit a first-round pick. Burrell made $14 million last season, so Ibanez's annual salary will be cheaper. Burrell is believed to be looking for a three-year contract. If he gets it, it won't be from the Phillies.
LAS VEGAS -- Most of the Phillies' delegation -- dubbed here as "Amaro's Eleven" -- is scheduled to leave Vegas today. So, as I walked along the Strip last night, I half expected to see Ruben Amaro Jr., Pat Gillick, Scott Proefrock, Benny Looper, Chuck LaMar, Charley Kerfeld and the rest of the Crew standing in front of the Bellagio and wistfully watching the fountains, just like everyone's favorite Hollywood thieves. (I'll let you decide which ones would be played by George Clooney and Brad Pitt.)
Anyway, the 2008 winter meetings are over, and for the Phillies, it was a week of near-misses. They spent considerable time and energy tying to nudge the Padres and Cubs toward the completion of a three-team trade that would've brought versatile Mark DeRosa to Philadelphia. Alas, it didn't happen. The Cubs balked at having to move DeRosa, and the deal is dead (for now).
The Phillies' contingency plan, according to sources, is to sign free-agent Raul Ibanez to play left field. Ibanez, 36, would be the first corner outfielder to sign, and thus, he'd likely set the market for those that follow. But he figures to command a multiyear contract and a sizable raise from the $5.5 million that he made last season. Ibanez is an underrated player, a .286 career hitter who seems to be getting better with age. Over the past three seasons, he has averaged 26 homers and 113 RBIs, comparable to Pat Burrell's average of 31 homers and 99 RBIs over the past four years. (Sources have said that Burrell is seeking a three-year contract, but surprisingly, nobody seemed to be talking about him at the Bellagio this week.)
Ibanez is a left-handed hitter, which wouldn't make him a particularly good fit in the Phillies' already lefty-loaded lineup. But he batted .305 (60-for-197) against left-handed pitchers last season. Was that an aberration? Ibanez is a .268 career hitter against lefties, but few know him better than Gillick and Looper, who were backers of Ibanez during their tenures with the Mariners. Indications are that a deal with Ibanez could happen quickly, once "Amaro's Eleven" return to Philly.
Don't like Ibanez? The next-best option appears to be trading for righty-swinging Delmon Young. But the Twins are asking for 24-year-old infield prospect Jason Donald, and the Phillies aren't eager to move him.
*** Amaro said he figured Jamie Moyer was talking to other teams, but he didn't know which ones. Well, now we do. Moyer has gotten interest from the Brewers, who lost CC Sabathia this week and almost surely will lose Ben Sheets, too.
*** Within the notebook, we have more on Cole Hamels' comments about the Mets to WFAN and Omar Minaya's refusal to declare the Mets are the "team to beat" in the NL East. There's also some more information on the Phils' Rule 5 draft picks.
I'll be traveling home for most of the day, so updates to The Blog will be sparse this afternoon. Meanwhile, I'd like to hear from you regarding Ibanez. Should the Phillies sign him to replace Burrell in left field?
LAS VEGAS -- Spent a couple of minutes with Mets GM Omar Minaya this morning, and he smiled at the suggestion that the Mets, after acquiring dual closers Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz, are the "team to beat" in the NL East.
"No way," Minaya said with a grin. "We were never the team to beat. Forget about team to beat. We've got to work on just getting back to the playoffs."
OK, we get it. Minaya isn't willing to mimic Jimmy Rollins. But Cole Hamels doesn't mind throwing some more fuel on the Mets-Phillies fire.
During a radio interview today on WFAN in New York, Hamels called the Mets "choke artists" after their late-season collapses of the past two years.
"Last year and this year I think we did believe that [they were choke artists]," Hamels told WFAN. "Three years ago we didn't because they smoked everybody, and I think we all thought they were going to win it all. Unfortunately that didn't happen. ... But, yeah, that's kind of what we believed, and I think we're always going to believe that until they prove us wrong. For the past two years they've been choke artists."
LAS VEGAS -- This is far from being considered imminent. In fact, there's little evidence that the teams have done more than make a few phone calls. But if the Phillies are looking for a middle-of-the-lineup right-handed hitter, the Rockies have told them that third baseman Garrett Atkins is available.
One problem: To get Atkins, the Phillies will have to trade top pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco.
An industry source says the Rockies are insisting on Carrasco, and the Phillies are positively unwilling to trade him. This morning, Charlie Manuel said he believes Carrasco could be a No. 2 or 3 starter in the majors. But Manuel's No. 1 wish is for a right-handed power hitter, and the options seemingly are dwindling. The three-team trade involving Mark DeRosa has crumbled, and the Phillies appear reluctant to deal shortstop prospect Jason Donald to the Twins for Delmon Young. They aren't involved in the Manny Ramirez sweepstakes and have shown little desire to bring back Pat Burrell.
Getting Atkinswould make Pedro Feliz expendable (Feliz has one year left on his contract). Atkins, who turns 29 tomorrow, was the best man at Chase Utley's wedding, and Utley would love to be reunited with his close friend and former college teammate.
So, what do you think? If you were the Phillies, would you consider an Atkins-Carrasco swap?
LAS VEGAS -- Charlie Manuel emerged from his room today, having rid himself of a nasty flu virus. Like everyone else, he has heard the rumors about the three-team deal that would send Jake Peavy to the Cubs, Mark DeRosa to the Phillies and two Phils prospects to the Padres.
Well, forget about it.
As the Rule 5 draft wrapped, the lobby buzz was that Cubs GM Jim Hendry has told Padres GM Kevin Towers that he's moving in a different direction. It seems, as we've been hearing, the Cubs preferred to make a one-for-one trade and didn't want to part with DeRosa. All week, Ruben Amaro Jr. hasn't commented about this deal, and he wasn't about to start now.
Meanwhile, Manuel was lobbying for a middle-of-the-lineup right-handed hitter to replace Pat Burrell. The only hitter who fits that description is Manny Ramirez, and the Phillies aren't interested. But how about lefty-swinging Raul Ibanez? Indications are he'd like to come to the Phillies and that a deal could get done promptly.
Amaro also has confirmed that the Phillies have had discussions with Chan Ho Park and said the Phillies have spoken recently with Jamie Moyer's agent, although he wouldn't elaborate on how negotiations were progressing in either situation.
LAS VEGAS -- One of the Phillies' targets to add middle-infield depth is taken.
Nick Punto, the former Phils' farmhand, has re-signed with the Twins. Punto, 31, agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract with a club option for 2011. Mark DeRosa remains a possibility, but as of this morning, there's no movement on the complicated three-team trade with the Cubs and Padres.
1. The Phillies have drafted right-hander Robert Mosebach with the 26th overall pick in the Rule 5 draft. Mosebach, 24, went 9-12 with a 4.62 ERA in 29 starts last season for the Angels' Class AA team. More on him after the draft once we get to speak to assistant GM Chuck LaMar.
2. Brad Lidge and his wife, Lindsay, have had their second child, Rowan Thomas Lidge.
More in a bit.
(Updated, 2:01 p.m. Eastern): In the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 draft, the Phillies selected second baseman Kyle Haines from the Giants' organization and speedy outfielder Javis Diaz from the Padres' organization. They lost catcher John Suomi to the Royals and right-handers Brett Harker and Ron Hill to the Marlins.
Spoke with Phillies pro scouting coordinator Mike Ondo about Mosebach. He said the Phillies got good reports on him during the Arizona Fall League. Mosebach has been a starter throughout his career, but he was used as a reliever in Arizona and his velocity and command were improved. Probably a long shot for Mosebach to make the Phillies out of spring training, and thus, he could be offered back to the Angels. But the Phillies believe he has enough potential to give him a shot.
Baseball's annual winter meetings, which have overtaken the posh Bellagio for the past four days, will conclude this morning with the Rule 5 draft. Basically, the Rule 5 draft is a crapshoot of players with a certain level of service time who aren't protected on a 40-man roster. Here's the catch: It costs $50,000 to select a player, and the player must remain on his new team's active major-league (25-man) roster for the entire subsequent season or be offered back to his old team for $25,000.
Yeah, it's complicated.
Anyway, the Rule 5 draft is a favorite of Pat Gillick, who, as GM of the Blue Jays in 1981, plucked George Bell from the Phillies. Other famously unexpected Rule 5 finds include Johan Santana, Dan Uggla, Josh Hamilton and Shane Victorino. But the Phillies may not make a selection in this year's draft. They have the 26th overall pick, and Ruben Amaro Jr. said yesterday that it's doubtful any of the players they like will still be available.
Typically, after the Rule 5 draft, it's a race to the airport, with execs eager to leave town. This year, though, I have a feeling more folks will be sticking around for an extra night in Vegas. Amaro, for instance, isn't flying back to Philly until Friday morning.
*** So, if Ronny Paulino has so much upside as an offensive catcher, why would the Pirates trade him? Well, according to people I spoke with last night, there are questions about Paulino's work ethic. The words "unmotivated" and "lazy" were used to describe him. The Phillies, though, believe that Paulino's willingness to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic is a sign that he's ready to begin fulfilling his potential.
Time will tell.
*** Within the notebook, we examine the possibility that Ryan Howard and other Phillies could play in the World Baseball Classic. There also are a few words on the Mets' big three-team trade for reliever J.J. Putz. We'll try to get some Phillies reaction this morning.
What else is on tap today?
Well, never heard back from Amaro last night about the Chan Ho Park rumor, so I'll endeavor to get that addressed today. Also, we'll keep monitoring that complex three-team deal between the Cubs, Padres and Phillies. While signals were mixed yesterday about the possibility of the trade getting completed, one thing almost everyone agreed on is that it won't happen before the parties leave here. If it gets done, it'll take a few more days.
LAS VEGAS -- According to a report on Yahoo! Sports, the Phils are close to signing free-agent right-hander Chan Ho Park to a one-year contract. It's 9:25 p.m. here, and thus far, Ruben Amaro Jr. hasn't answered a call or a text message, but we'll keep trying.
Park, 35, went 4-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 54 games (four starts) for the Dodgers last season. He has been both a starter and a reliever throughout his career, so potentially, he could slot into the back of the Phillies' rotation or into the middle of their bullpen.
LAS VEGAS -- So, the Mets have seen the Phillies' swap of backup catchers and raised them a three-team, 12-player trade that will bring closer J.J. Putz to Flushing.
That should raise the stakes a bit in the NL East.
(Vegas puns intended). As expected, the Mets have cornered the market on closers at these winter meetings, and if you watched in the late innings last season, it was something they had to do. In two days, they have acquired two closers. Yesterday, they signed free-agent Francisco Rodriguez to a rather economical three-year, $37 million contract. K-Rod, who set a major-league record with 62 saves for the Angels last season, will handle the ninth inning, replacing Billy Wagner.
To make sure K-Rod gets the ball with a lead, they have traded for Putz, who had 91 saves for the Mariners over the past three seasons. The Mets also get outfielder Jeremy Reed and reliever Sean Green from the Mariners. They will send maligned reliever Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chavez, slugging Class AA first baseman Mike Carp and two other minor leaguers to Seattle and reliever Joe Smith to Cleveland. The Indians also send outfielder Franklin Gutierrez to Seattle and get infielder Luis Valbuena from the Mariners.
Got all that?
After the K-Rod news broke yesterday, Ruben Amaro Jr. barely flinched. "I don't think it affects us much," the Phils' GM said. "They've had Billy Wagner, and we still beat them the last two years. He's going to be a fine addition to their club if, in fact, the deal is finalized [pending a physical]. But those sorts of things don't affect our manager and doesn't affect our players. They just go out and play, and I think that they like those challenges. We don't operate on a reactive basis. We try to do what's necessary to improve our club. And we can't worry about what the Mets or Marlins or Atlanta Braves are doing out there."
OK, that really may be the case. But the Phillies can't deny this: Their biggest edge over the Mets, the bullpen, has been neutralized. In fact, Putz-Rodriguez in the final two innings may be even better than Ryan Madson-Brad Lidge.
LAS VEGAS -- So, it seems the "small trade" mentioned by Ruben Amaro Jr. will be a swap of catchers. The Phils will send Class AAA catcher Jason Jaramillo to the Pirates for Ronny Paulino, a .278 hitter in parts of four seasons.
Paulino, 27, is a major-league-caliber catcher, so this figures to fuel the speculation that Chris Coste will be packaged in a trade, perhaps the multi-team deal that would bring Mark DeRosa to Philly.
(Updated, 9:29 p.m.): Just talked to Amaro, who gave a vote of confidence to Carlos Ruiz. "As we saw last year, Ruiz was outstanding," Amaro said. "He did a fine job for us. As far as I'm concerned, he's our No. 1 catcher. It's his job to lose."
Amaro said Lou Marson likely will spend most of next season at triple-A Lehigh Valley. Marson had passed Jaramillo on the Phillies' depth chart. Paulino has power (11 home runs in 2007) but was supplanted as the Pirates' starter last season by Ryan Doumit. In 40 games, he batted .212 with two homers and 18 RBIs, but he also threw out 26 percent of potential base stealers.
LAS VEGAS -- Just came from Ruben Amaro Jr.'s daily briefing in the 31st floor suite and went straight into an impromptu press conference in the media room with Scott Boras, the agent for Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira and most important to the Phillies, Derek Lowe. So much to get to, so little time ...
1. Amaro said the Phillies are poised to announce a "smaller trade that might be a notch about [Greg] Golson for [John] Mayberry" within the hour. They're awaiting the result of physicals. The guys who will be swapped are 40-man roster players. When we know their identities, so will you. Meanwhile, let the speculation fly.
2. Regarding the rumor put forth by Steve Phillips: Amaro wouldn't comment, but it's highly unlikely that the Phillies would deal Carlos CarrascoandJason Donald for Mark DeRosa. Said Amaro, "Those are very good players, some of our best players."
3. Amaro said the Phillies "have kept things alive" with Lowe but didn't sound particularly optimistic that they'll land him. Boras wouldn't get specific about Lowe's landing place. "Obviously, Derek Lowe wants to play for a winning club, a contending club, and certainly, there are a number of teams that fill that bill," he said.
4. Ryan Howard is a good bet for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, according to Amaro. Matt Stairs (Canada), Carlos Ruiz (Panama), J.C. Romero (Puerto Rico) and minor leaguers Brad Harman, Drew Naylor and Joel Naughton (all Australia) likely will play, too.
5. Don't expect much action from the Phillies in tomorrow's Rule 5 draft. They have the 26th pick, and the players they are targeting likely won't be available at that slot.
LAS VEGAS -- One thing is for certain about the multi-team trade rumors involving Jake Peavy and Mark DeRosa: Nothing is certain. That, and there absolutely no consensus about what might happen.
A few minutes after I talked to one source who claims the Cubs aren't likely to trade DeRosa, we hear ESPN broadcaster Steve Phillips is reporting that a trade may be completed by tonight and DeRosa will, in fact, be heading to the Phillies. According to Phillips, the Phillies would send two prospects (J.A. Happ or Carlos Carrascoand Jason Donald) to the Padres, who also would get Cubs pitcher Jason Marquis and outfield prospect Felix Pie.
Hard to imagine the Phillies would give up that much, but we'll have a chance to ask Ruben Amaro Jr. in about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, I'm headed back to the lobby to see if anyone will confirm, deny, or more likely, avoid the rumor.
LAS VEGAS -- Scott Boras has surfaced in the lobby, and we're hearing that he intends to talk to reporters later today.
While we wait, we believe the Yankees remain interest in signing Derek Lowe, a Boras client (he also has Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez and Oliver Perez, among others). If any team can drive up the price for Lowe, it's the Yankees, and Lowe is believed to be asking for three to five years at $15 to $18 million per year. Hard to imagine the Phillies going to those lengths for Lowe, although Ruben Amaro Jr. left open the possibility yesterday. Amaro did say that the Phils have interest in other free-agent pitchers, too. Sources with knowledge of the Mets' needs/wants say they also may be interested in Lowe.
*** About that multi-team trade involving Jake Peavy, it's still on hold. Padres people seem to be insisting that it's going to happen. Cubs people are less certain. To me, it all stems from the fact that the Padres simply want to unload Peavy's salary. The Cubs, meanwhile, have ownership questions (and, thus, payroll concerns) and still prefer to make a one-on-one trade. They may have no choice, though, but to involve a third team.
Either way, it's starting to look like it won't happen before the meetings end tomorrow.
LAS VEGAS -- As I type this, Davey Johnson, who will manage the U.S. entry in the World Baseball Classic in March, is seated on a dais here in the media room. Johnson and Team USA GM Bob Watson is still in the process of gauging players' interest, but it has been announced that Derek Jeter, also here in the media room, will be the shortstop.
Two years ago, Chase Utley played for Team USA. Obviously, his hip surgery won't allow him to reprise his second-base position. But it wouldn't be a surprise to see Ryan Howard batting cleanup. Jimmy Rollins was considered in 2006, and it's possible he could split time with Jeter. Brad Lidge and Cole Hamels could be candidates, too. We'll try to find out more.
(Updated, 4:02 p.m. Eastern): Asked around and heard that Lidge, for one, didn't express interest in pitching in the WBC when Phillies players met with WBC officials during the season. (Lidge had a terrible 2006 season after pitching in the last WBC.) However, I'm told that Team USA is paying little regard to those preliminary meetings with players as they compile their list. If they want a player, they'll try to get him. The Phillies could have more non-USA players (Matt Stairs for Canada, J.C. Romero for Puerto Rico, Carlos Ruiz for Panama) than players on Team USA.
By the way, Team USA is going to train in Clearwater at the Phillies' complex and will play the Phillies in a pre-tournament game March 5. The Phillies also will play Team Canada at Bright House on March 4.
LAS VEGAS -- It's not even 9 a.m. here, and already, the Bellagio is buzzing.
After two days of meeting with CC Sabathia, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman flew to San Francisco last night for a third sit-down. Evidently, Sabathia was moved by Cashman's persistence. Or, more likely, the Yankees' seven-year, $160 million offer was too good to refuse. Regardless, CC is poised sign that contract, and you can just feel the desert earth out here beginning to quake.
So, the question for us, Phillies Nation, is how does the Sabathia deal affect the Phillies and their pursuit of Derek Lowe?
My initial thought was that it actually helps because it may take the Yankees out of the running. Now that the Yankees landed CC, they don't absolutely need Lowe. And, perhaps, Lowe won't get the five-year contract, $80 million that he's reportedly seeking. But folks in the lobby with knowledge of the Yankees' intentions are saying that Cashman & Co. don't intend to stop with CC. They'd like to add another starting pitcher, or two, and Lowe may still be on their list.
Scott Boras, Lowe's agent, has been noticeably mum during these meetings. He surfaced Monday during Greg Maddux's retirement press conference, but slipped out a back door before reporters could get to him. With the CC move going down today, I think we may hear from Mr. Boras and, just maybe, get a better idea of where Lowe's camp stands.
Promised y'all more about Pat Burrell's situation, and in today's News Journal, you got it. It's a strange world when there's less of a market for a 30-homer, 90-RBI slugger than for a middling middle infielder like Nick Punto (no offense, Nick), but that has been the case here thus far. Publicly, at least, the Burrell camp isn't panicking. Ed Hayes, one of Burrell's agents, told me yesterday that the market for the veteran left fielder will become clearer once Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira or even Raul Ibanez sign, but of course, there are no guarantees. If the crumbling national economy affects second- and third-tier free agents as much as we think, it's possible that Burrell will have to settle for a short-term, below-market-value contract.
Regardless, Hayes doesn't think the Phillies want Burrell back, and based on their lack of conversation with Burrell's people, it's hard to disagree. So, after nearly 10 years, the Burrell Era in Philly appears to be over.
If that's the case, when you look back on Burrell's career with the Phillies, what will you remember?
*** Speaking of the economy, and I wish I had room for this in the paper, I asked Hayes if he thinks the sluggish market here at the winter meetings is due to the gloomy economic climate.
"Sure, the economy is playing a role because that's what the commissioner has dictated," Hayes said, alluding to Bud Selig's decision to have former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volker preach fiscal conservatism to the owners at their quarterly meetings last month. "Specific directives were given at the owners meetings, and they all should be in line with that."
*** What's on tap for today?
Well, we're hoping to have lunch with Charlie Manuel, who was sick with the flu yesterday and unable to speak to the media after having his contract extended through 2011. Also, I'll continue to ask around about the complex multi-team trade that could send Jake Peavy to the Cubs, J.A. Happ to the Padres and Mark DeRosa to the Phillies. (Details of the trade are in the post below.)
UPDATE: Late last night, while trolling the Bellagio lobby, I heard that the Cubs also may be trying to unload pitcher Jason Marquis to clear salary space for Peavy. The Phillies could be the beneficiary of that move. The Orioles may also be involved, with pitching prospect Garrett Olson going to San Diego.
(Part 5 of a High Fidelity-style series recalling five of our favorite moments from the 2008 Phillies season.)
