Dec. 16 -- PARK, UTLEY, MOYER ... IBANEZ?

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Busy day for the Phillies yesterday, wasn't it?

It began, oddly enough, with a report out of Korea that the Phils have signed free-agent right-hander Chan Ho Park, who announced the news by holding a press conference in Seoul. (Ruben Amaro Jr. confirmed the Phillies and Park have reached a tentative agreement on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, but the deal is pending a physical that likely won't occur until next month.)

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?