CLEARWATER, Fla. -- On the night of April 8, Pat Burrell is slated to play for the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park in Boston.
During the day, though, he'll be in Philly to get his World Series ring.
Burrell, who just chatted with reporters for about 15 minutes, told us that he has been invited to -- and will attend -- the Phillies' ring ceremony before a day game April 8 at Citizens Bank Park.
"I came over here early today, and David [Montgomery] and I talked," Burrell said. "Fortunately, it works out for me that we're going to be in Boston. So, I can shoot over. The Phillies have a day game. So, I'll be able to come over and jump right back on a flight. That's just a coincidence. Fortunately for me, it worked out. I had heard that was going to be the date. Obviously, they weren't moving the date around for my schedule. But it just happened to work out, and I was glad."
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Another busy day here, so let's get to it:
1. Jayson Werth has been scratched from the lineup because of what the Phillies are calling "soreness in the back of his right shoulder." Werth said he tweaked the shoulder on a batting-practice swing yesterday, and that wouldn't be a big deal except that Werth hasn't played in the first three spring-training games. Werth, Charlie Manuel and Ruben Amaro Jr. had insisted that Werth isn't injured, and the Phillies are saying his shoulder injury isn't related to the general "not ready to play" explanation that had been provided for his earlier absences. Werth and the Phillies are hoping he'll be ready to play Monday against the Blue Jays in Dunedin.
2. The union meeting lasted about two hours. As you can imagine, J.C. Romero's suspension -- and the larger issue of which supplements should or shouldn't be taken -- was a major topic of conversation, as we detailed in our Sunday MLB notes. Union chief Don Fehr's main message: Be very careful. "You are not safe, period," Romero said.
Essentially, Fehr confirmed Romero's claim that the union advised that any over-the-counter supplement purchased in the U.S. wouldn't result in a positive drug test. Fehr was singing a different tune today. Asked if he thought the union had let Romero down, Fehr said, "I guess it depends on what you mean. What we do is we give the best information we have, and up until these particular products, we had no reason to believe that there would essentially be products that violated the law that were sold over the counter. That turned out to not be the case. So now, the advice that we give has changed. We had been hopeful the arbitrator would understand and accept that for reasons related to the facts of the case. He didn't."
3. I asked Fehr about the slow-developing free-agent market. He tap-danced like Fred Astaire, steering clear of using the word "collusion" or suggesting that anything is afoot. But, clearly, he wasn't happy that many players wound up getting paid less than they expected, and in some cases (Manny Ramirez), remain unsigned. "It was, in many respects, slow, intermittent, uncertain, and ended up in a number of cases, with results that would not have been predicted going in," Fehr said of the market. "And so, all I can say about that is, as we do every year since the middle 1980s, we'll look hard at the market. Where you have a lot of people unsigned for a long time, a change in patterns, you give it more scrutiny when you look at it. When, and if, we reach a conclusion, we'll tell everybody. But that process is not complete yet and won't be for a while. But please don't draw any inferences other than we're looking at it. That would be unfair at this point. I'm not making accusations."
4. Pat Burrell will talk to reporters after he comes out of today's game.
(Updated, 2:05 p.m.): Burrell got a nice ovation before his first at-bat. Big crowd here at Bright House on another absolutely gorgeous day (77 degrees on the left-center-field scoreboard). ... Kyle Kendrick's line today: 2-2/3 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 0 strikeouts. He allowed a solo homer to Ray Sadler. ... Back-to-back home runs by Ryan Howard and John Mayberry Jr. in the second inning gave the Phillies an early lead. Mayberry continues to impress. Miguel Cairo also homered in the second. Ronny Paulino added a solo homer in the sixth.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- There's one question that has been running through my mind since J.C. Romero received a 50-game suspension last month for taking an over-the-counter supplement that triggered a positive drug test. Romero contends the Players' Association advised that any supplement purchased at a U.S. retail store would be safe. But after the suspension was announced, the union's legal counsel, Michael Weiner, staunchly denied that suggestion.
So, here's my question: Did the union let Romero down?
"That's for you to decide," Romero said last Saturday when I chatted with him after the Phillies worked out here.
Clearly, though, Romero isn't happy with the Players' Association. I asked if he'd speak up during the Phillies' annual spring-training meeting with union chief Don Fehr. His answer, I thought, was revealing.
"I don't want to be here for that because I may snap," he said.
No such luck. One day before Romero is slated to leave camp and join Puerto Rico's team for the World Baseball Classic, Fehr is here to meet with the Phillies. In fact, the meeting started about 20 minutes ago. We'll have reaction from Romero -- and hopefully, from Fehr -- when it concludes.
*** Also on tap for today: Pat Burrell is expected to be in the house, as the Phillies face the Rays here at Bright House. We'll let you know what he has to say. And Kyle Kendrick makes his first bid to be the No. 5 starter.
Today's lineup: SS Jimmy Rollins; CF Shane Victorino; LF Raul Ibanez; 1B Ryan Howard; RF Jayson Werth; DH Greg Dobbs; 2B Miguel Cairo; 3B Jason Donald; C Ronny Paulino.
Asked if he felt pressure last season to live up to his three-year, $24.5 million contract (known from now on, in this space, as Pat Gillick's Blunder): "I wanted to go out and have a good year. Obviously, it didn't happen. I got off to a relatively good start and had nothing to show for it. This day in age, it's what have you done for me lately. Regardless of leading the team in quality starts until the All-Star break, two starts later, three starts later, I'm cast off in the bullpen. Granted, there were a lot of horrible games in there, but there were some good ones, too. It's tough. Getting beat up still, you're trying to do so well, it's tough. But the pressure of wanting to perform and weighing your salary to how you should perform, it doesn't really affect anybody. Once you're between those lines, it's man versus man. It's not, 'He's making 400 grand, I'm making 8 million.' If that was the case, then the Yankees and Red Sox would win the World Series every year.
Asked about his decision to go home instead of the Florida Instructional League last October, and therefore not attending the World Series or the victory parade: "The only thing I regret about not being there for the World Series was not sharing it with my teammates. Organizationally, you know, whether they weren't thinking, 'Would Adam be here? Would he just show up, or should we invite him?' There was never a conversation there. I never thought about coming because, I was like, they're doing so well, I didn't want to show up and say, 'Hey guys, look at me.' I think that would be a little two-faced on my part. I weighed my decision very carefully before I was given the opportunity. I was not going to make the playoff roster, obviously. I haven't pitched in the big leagues since whenever, July. And they say, 'Well, go down and get in shape.' Give me a [bleeping] break. What do you want me to say? You want me to swallow another pill? For what? Waste two weeks down here where I can go spend two weeks with my family? Yeah, sure, I'll go up there for the World Series. Hey, I'm up on the float. 'Boo, [bleep] you.' Great. Would that be any fun for anybody? No. In that regard, not sharing it with my teammates. But it was nice to see them on TV. They're world [bleeping] champs.
Finally, when Eaton was asked about leaving his teammates from the last few years, he began to well up. "A lot of good guys in here," he said. "That's the hard part. It was only two years, but there's a lot of names in here that should be well-respected."
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Busy news day for the Phillies. We've already told you that Adam Eaton was released this morning (more on that in the post below). Now, upon arriving at Ed Smith Stadium, Shane Victorino has learned that he'll be joining Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. Grady Sizemore has elected not to play, opening a spot for Victorino.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity," Victorino said moments ago. "It should be fun."
"That was one of my biggest questions to Davey -- am I going to get at-bats?" Victorino said. "He said, 'Yeah, you'll get an opportunity.' I wasn't trying to be a jerk or anything, but I'm not one of those guys who's that good that he doesn't need to prepare. I want to make sure I'm prepared for the season."
(Note: In case you're going to be in Clearwater next week, Victorino, Jimmy Rollins and the Team USA will work out at 12:30 Monday at Bright House Field. The practice is free and open to the public. Gates will open at 11:30 a.m., and food and drinks will be sold at the food court behind home plate. Team USA also plays exhibition games against the Yankees in Tampa on Tuesday, the Blue Jays in Dunedin on Wednesday and the Phillies in Clearwater on Thursday before leaving for its first WBC game against Team Canada in Toronto on March 7.)
*** Lineup for today's game here against the Reds at "The Ed," where you can actually get a suntan while sitting in the press box (don't ask):
CF Shane Victorino 3B Jason Donald LF Raul Ibanez DH Matt Stairs 1B Greg Dobbs RF Geoff Jenkins 2B Pablo Ozuna SS Ozzie Chavez C Lou Marson RHP Drew Carpenter
*** Injury updates: Chad Durbin has a slight right hamstring strain, although Ruben Amaro Jr. said the Phillies aren't overly concerned. ... Pedro Feliz continues to hit off a tee, but he isn't scheduled yet to take batting practice. ... Chase Utley continues to progress, but the Phillies haven't decided when he'll begin playing in games.
(Updated, 1:34 p.m.): This probably wasn't what Drew Carpenter had in mind for his first spring-training start. Carpenter allowed four runs on three hits and three walks, and he's out of the game without getting an out in the first inning. Ouch.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Quick note before I leave for Sarasota...
Adam Eaton, a colossal disappointment in two seasons with the Phillies, has been released this morning, one day before he had been slated to make his first spring-training appearance. Regardless of where he pitches this season, Eaton will make $8.5 million in 2009. He has 48 hours to clear release waivers (he will). Then, he can sign with another team. The Phillies must pay up to $8.1 million (his full salary less the $400,000 major-league minimum), plus a $500,000 buyout of their 2010 club option, bringing their total financial responsibility for Eaton to as much as $8.5 million.
Eaton, 31, signed a three-year, $24.5 million contract before the 2007 seasons. He went 14-18 with a 6.10 ERA in 51 appearances (49 starts) for the Phillies and was excluded from the playoff roster in both 2007 and 2008. Last year, he agreed to a minor-league assignment in late July and didn't pitch after being recalled in September. He declined to pitch in the Florida Instructional League in October and returned to his Seattle-home area while the Phillies were on their way to the World Series. Eaton didn't attend the championship parade, contending he wasn't invited.
Got a chance to talk to Eaton for more than 10 minutes. Here's some of what he had to say:
On whether he's upset by how his Phillies tenure went: "I don't think upset is the right word. Underachieve? Yeah. I wasn't as healthy as I'd lke to be. That's been my focus this spring, to be healthy so I can do what I'm able to do. Anytime you're weighing [shoulder] surgery options in the offseason before the second year of a contract -- and maybe I should have done it, maybe that would have been the best-case scenario -- but I feel fine now.
On how he'd sum up his tenure here: "Unrealized, both sides, expectations for me coming in. I thought when we signed the deal, that I would be an integral part in any positives on the field. For the most part, it didn't happen that way. I did have moments of success, but for whatever reason they were short-lived.
"Obviously, this organization thought highly enough to draft me [in the first round] in '96 and make a big splash in the offseason going into the '07 season. Thought well enough of me to make a bigger splash signing me to a three-year deal. When I left last time they got Andy Ashby. When I leave now they just get Andy Ashby's contract, I guess. It's sad, but I wish I was able to earn that money while I'm still in this uniform.
On whether he feels like he has something to prove: "I know there's a lot still left in my arm. A blip, yeah. Yeah, it's two-year blip,' but at the same time my career has been spanning since '97 coming into spring training. That's a decent percentage, but there's also a vast other percentage that's very successful. And that's what the Phillies saw when they signed me. I plan to return to that form, and with a few tweaks here and there I’ll be there."
On whether he felt pressure with his high salary: "If given the opportunity, if you're out there working hard, doing the things you can to prepare, you are earning that money. The results, you can have the best teacher in the world, but if the student tries hard, but just can't get a concept it doesn't mean they've failed as a teacher. I failed as performing to how I wanted to perform, but to say I failed as a teammate, I failed as an athelte, no. But we're all tested on a day-to-day basis. I passed a lot of days, but my results weren't very good. I think the test results weren't very good. To have a label put on you to be a certain way is fine. I have a higher label on myself than I think a lot of people do. Especially now."
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Two scoreless innings for Carlos Carrasco. Two scoreless innings for J.A. Happ. Not a bad start to the most intriguing battle in camp, the fight to be the No. 5 starter.
Carrasco, the Phillies' top pitching prospect, is trying to win the fifth-starter job. So far, so good. He struck out Marco Scutaro and Joe Inglett to open the first inning and fanned Jason Lane to end the second. In between, he got two groundouts and a fly ball. Unofficially, he threw 22 pitches, but we'll get an exact count from pitching coach Rich Dubee. Last week, Dubee said Carrasco is off to a fast start, mainly because he played winter ball in Venezuela. It shows.
Now, it's J.A. Happ's turn.
Happ cruised through the third inning, setting down the bottom third of the Jays' lineup. And after getting Scutaro to ground out and Inglett to foul to third, he allowed a single to Jose Bautista before Michael Barrett flew to center.
So, call the first round of Carrasco-Happ a draw: Two scoreless innings for both.
*** Big outfielder John Mayberry Jr. continues to impress. During batting practice, he crushed a ball off the thatched roof of the Frenchy's Tiki bar beyond the left-field fence. Even his teammates were impressed. Then, in the second inning, he sprinted back toward the warning track and made a nice catch to take a hit from Travis Snider. Mayberry can run a bit, too, although he was thrown out at home plate trying to score on a throwing error in the second inning. He's 6-foot-6, and his long running stride reminds me of Dave Winfield.
*** Jayson Werth didn't play yesterday. He isn't in the lineup today. And he won't make the trip to Sarasota tomorrow.
What gives?
"He's dying," Charlie Manuel said.
Seriously, though, both Manuel and Werth say there's nothing wrong. Werth, in fact, is wondering why he isn't playing. But he isn't asking questions either. Spring training is longer than ever because of the World Baseball Classic, so he'll get his at-bats.
"There's nothing going on, no reason I can't play," Werth said. "A lot of guys play winter ball, and I'm in Springfield [,Ill.], and it's negative-20 out. This is the earliest spring training has started, to my knowledge. I'm not worried."
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Charlie Manuel's starting nine for today's game against Blue Jays.
SS Jimmy Rollins 3B Jason Donald LF Raul Ibanez DH Ryan Howard RF John Mayberry 1B Greg Dobbs 2B Marcus Giles CF Jason Ellison C Carlos Ruiz
RHP Carlos Carrasco will start the game. He'll be followed by LHP J.A. Happ and a host of relievers, including Justin Lehr, Gary Majewski, Blaine Neal and Yorman Bazardo.
Blue Jays are starting RHP Scott Richmond. Scheduled to follow are RHP Brian Bullington, LHP Luis Perez, RHP Bill Murphy, LHP Fabio Castro (remember him?), LHP Reid Santos and LHP Ken Takahashi.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Looking back now, nearly 23 years later, it still brings a smile to Jamie Moyer's face.
But it also makes him sad.
Moyer (AP photo) grew up about 40 miles from Philadelphia, in quiet Souderton, Pa. He cheered for the Phillies and idolized Steve Carlton. But by the time Moyer took the mound on June 16, 1986 at Wrigley Field for his major-league debut and and defeated Carlton and the Phils, Carlton wasn't the same pitcher. It was the first year of a three-year slide in which he went 15-29 with a 5.72 ERA and bounced between five teams as he limped to the finish line of his Hall of Fame career.
"It was really hurtful to watch Steve Carlton finish his career the way he did," Moyer said yesterday, his left shoulder and elbow packed in ice after tossing two scoreless innings against the Pirates in Bradenton. "I'm not questioning why he was playing. Maybe he thought he could still pitch. But to watch him as a kid growing up and have all the respect in the world for him, to see him hanging around the last few years, he struggled. And I've seen other pitchers struggling. I hope I don't have to go through that."
So, when his time comes, Moyer insists he'll know when to say when. When his skills finally erode, he'll know when to throw his last pitch and retire to his wife and seven children. But that time isn't coming. Not yet. Not anytime soon.
Geoff Jenkins said yesterday that Moyer will pitch until he's 110. That gave Moyer a good chuckle. But, really, he isn't slowing down. Not at age 46. Not in his 25th spring training. Moyer threw more than 40 pitches yesterday, almost all fastballs. It's what he does every spring. He's working his way up to being ready for the season, his 23rd in the majors. He led the Phillies with 16 wins last season. Only six National League pitchers won more games. And there's no reason to believe he can't do it again, even though logic tells you a 46-year-old shouldn't be having this kind of success against players who are only slightly older than his children.
So, I'll ask you: How many wins for Moyer in 2009?
*** Within the notebook, Scott Eyre has received an advance on his $2 million salary from the Phillies. Consider it his own personal stimulus package. Most of Eyre's assets have been frozen while the federal government investigates a $9 billion fraud scheme allegedly perpetrated by Robert Allen Stanford of the Stanford Financial Group. ... Also, Eric Hinske talks about his famous strikeout, which will live in Philly sports lore.
*** On tap for today: Phillies-Blue Jays in the home-opener at Bright House. The curtain rises on the fifth-starter competition. Carlos Carrasco and J.A. Happ will pitch today, and we'll be sure to let you know all about how they do.
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Before we get to the Phillies' 8-2 loss to the Pirates (don't sound the alarms just yet; all is still well with the world champs), a reminder: I'll be hosting our first-ever Phillies online chat tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. I know you have a bunch of Phillies questions for me, so click here to stop by and chat for a while.
OK, now for the game. Joe Bisenius allowed a three-run homer to Pirates non-roster invitee Shelby Ford in the fourth inning, and really, that was the difference in the game. But Jamie Moyer tossed two scoreless innings despite throwing almost entirely fastballs. Joe Blanton allowed one run, but Charlie Manuel was pleased with his curveball. And Raul Ibanez (pictured) picked up his first Phillies RBI with a two-out single in the third inning.
Manuel said most of the starters will play again tomorrow in the home-opener at Bright House Field. Mostly, though, we'll be keeping a close eye on Carlos Carrasco and J.A. Happ, who will officially begin the fifth-starter competition.
*** Answer to a comment from yesterday: Shane Victorino's team won the Phillies annual golf tournament, but they had a ringer, pro golfer John Daly. Victorino said he has known Daly for years but claims he didn't know Daly would be on the course yesterday. "I was like, 'Hey, play for us,'" Victorino said.
BRADENTON, Fla. -- So, here we are, at McKechnie Field, the old stomping grounds of News Journal colleague Martin Frank and home to the coldest press box in Florida. It's going to be at least 70 degrees here today, but because the sun doesn't shine into this press box, it feels about 20 degrees cooler. Alas, no complaining from me. The Grapefruit League season starts today, and that, in itself, is reason to exalt. After two weeks of workouts at the Carpenter Complex, the Phillies actually get to play against another team.
As we mentioned here yesterday, most regulars are in the lineup. Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton will pitch at least two innings (40-45 pitches) before giving way to a host of relievers. We'll let you know throughout the game how everyone is looking, but keep in mind, results are hardly the most important thing during spring training. For the veterans, it's more about getting their bodies ready for the season.
*** Eric Bruntlett is starting at third base today, but in today's News Journal, we examine whether Greg Dobbsfinally could become an everyday player for the Phils. Dobbs is widely regarded as the majors' best pinch-hitter, but that's rather like being the world's tallest midget. Dobbs wants a chance to play everyday, but Charlie Manuel hasn't given the impression that it's very likely. Not this year, at least. And in spring training, I'm expecting to see a lot of Bruntlett, Jason Donald, Marcus Giles and Miguel Cairo at third base against left-handed pitching while Pedro Feliz continues to recover from back surgery.
More in a bit.
(Updated, 12:53 p.m.): About to get underway here. One quick note: When we last saw the Phillies in a game, Brad Lidge was striking out Eric Hinske -- and striking his now-famous pose on the mound -- to clinch the World Series championship. Hinske is with the Pirates now. For the sake of symmetry, don't you think it would've been cool if the Phillies put Lidge on the mound and the Pirates sent Hinske to the plate for the first at-bat of the spring? But that won't happen. Lidge didn't make the trip, and Hinske isn't in the Pirates' lineup. Oh well.
(Updated, 2:12 p.m.): Jamie Moyer threw two scoreless innings. We had a chance to talk to him a few minutes ago, and as usual, the conversation turned to how long Moyer can continue to pitch.
"Where's this going to take me? I have no idea," he said. "I may wake up tomorrow and can't get out of bed. Who knows? But I enjoyed today. That's what it's about." More from Moyer in tomorrow's News Journal.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- News from down the road in Port Charlotte: Pat Burrell will play Saturday when the Rays visit Bright House Field.
"[Manager Joe Maddon] asked me if I want to go, and I said, 'Sure, I'd like to go,' for just no other reason than the obvious," Burrell told the Rays' Web site. "I don't want to make more of it than it is. ... Who knows what kind of reception [he'll receive from Phillies fans] and all that other stuff. We'll see. I'm looking forward to it. It's a game. You can't hide the fact you've got some relationships with some people. And it's good to see guys, that's the way I'm looking at it."
Burrell likely will be the Rays' DH Saturday. In early spring-training games, the DH is in effect, even in National League teams' ballparks.
(Updated, 6:17 p.m.):Shane Victorino wasn't named to the U.S. team for the World Baseball Classic. Victorino got a hearty endorsement from Team USA coach Mike Schmidt, but manager Davey Johnson picked only four outfielders (Ryan Braun, Curtis Granderson, Brad Hawpe and Grady Sizemore). Somehow, I don't think Victorino will mind. Every time I've asked him about the possibility of playing for Team USA, he hasn't seemed overly enthusiastic. I think he'd rather stay in camp with the Phils.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Cole Hamels, today's New York Post backpage cover boy, threw 41 pitches in the bullpen today and is on schedule to start March 4 against Matt Stairs' Canadian team for the World Baseball Classic.
Regarding the story in the Post, Hamels was a guest on WIP the other day and explained his "choke artist" comment about the Mets from back in December on New York sports radio. See for yourself, but I don't think there was anything in these comments that warranted the screaming two-word headline, COLE WAR, on the back of the Post.
"The word 'choke' means you weren't able to fully come through when you were supposed to," Hamels told WIP, according to a transcript. "I think the Mets had the top teams [the past two years], they pretty much had the championships in the bag and they weren't able to come through.
"A lot of guys will perceive them as choking in the end and not fulfilling their end of the bargain because they should have taken it. You know what? It really does show the strength and hard work and I guess the deep down guts that we have to take it away from them."
Hamels, who was baited by the New York radio hosts, told us last week that he wasn't even fully aware of what he said and didn't expect it to blow up the way it has.
"I wouldn't have thought of it myself," he said. "I like to do most of my playing out on the field and I don't need to be mentioned in the media or trying to attack someone because that's not the person I am. I'll attack you when I'm out on the mound."
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Before we get to today's video, a programming note: I will be hosting delawareonline.com's first live Phillies chat at 12:30 p.m. Thursday. We'll go right up to the first pitch of the 1:05 p.m. game against the Blue Jays here at Bright House Field. So, gather your Phillies questions, come on over, and we'll talk. You know, no big whoop.
Meanwhile, since the Grapefruit League play begin tomorrow, I thought we'd take a look at four things to watch during the Phillies' 34 games.
1. The fifth-starter competition. 2. The final spot(s) in the bullpen. 3. The backup-catcher competition. 4. The candidates to be a right-handed bench player (Marcus Giles, Miguel Cairo, etc.).
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- T-minus 24 hours until the Phillies' bus leaves for Bradenton, and already, we've got the lineup for the first spring-training game against the Pirates at McKechnie Field. And, now, you've got it, too.
SS Jimmy Rollins CF Shane Victorino LF Raul Ibanez 1B Ryan Howard RF Geoff Jenkins DH Matt Stairs 2B Jason Donald 3B Eric Bruntlett C Chris Coste P Jamie Moyer
The bench will consist of catchers Carlos Ruiz, Ronny Paulino and Lou Marson; infielders Greg Dobbs, Marcus Giles, Brad Harman, Anthony Hewitt, Pablo Ozuna, Andy Tracy and J.J. Furmaniak; outfielders John Mayberry, Jeremy Slayden and Jason Ellison. Joe Blanton (two innings or 45 pitches) will follow Moyer, and after that, we could see Scott Nestor, Joe Bisenius, Mike Koplove and Jake Woods.
Pittsburgh, by the way, plans to use nine relievers.
*** Final rosters for the World Baseball Classic will be announced today at 6 p.m. Victorino is still waiting to find out if he'll be on Team USA. As of last night, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said he hadn't heard anything about it.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- About 10 days ago (time really flies here in spring training), I sat down for a 30-minute one-on-one interview with Phillies president David Montgomery. The conversation focused on the nation's economic downturn as it relates to baseball and, specifically, the Phillies. And, make no mistake, the economy is something Montgomery is thinking about a lot these days.
Because they won the World Series, the Phillies saw a 20-percent rise in season-ticket sales from 2008 to 2009, so new GM Ruben Amaro Jr. was able to add money to the payroll. The Phils signed Raul Ibanez and reached multiyear contract agreements with five players, including Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels, and when the season opens, the payroll will top $132 million, a club record.
But nobody knows what's on the horizon for 2010. If the Phillies don't repeat and the economy doesn't turn around, there's no guarantee they'll be able to maintain this payroll. That's why Montgomery believes it's important for the next wave of homegrown Phillies players to begin making its way to the majors. In today's News Journal, we featured one of those players, infield prospect Jason Donald, who is trying to make the team in spring training. Catcher Lou Marson and right-hander Carlos Carrasco are two others for whom the Phillies have high hopes.
And, in today's video, we take a look at those three players.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Good morning from Bright House. Walked into the clubhouse this morning and found a schedule for the pitchers for the next week. That's a good sign. A very good sign. You know spring-training games aren't far away when pitching coach Rich Dubee posts the rotation. (Note: Cole Hamels' name isn't on the list. He's scheduled to make his first start March 4.) So, without further ado, here you go.
Wednesday at Pirates (Bradenton):Jamie Moyer (pictured, top), Joe Blanton, Joe Bisenius, Scott Nestor, Joe Borkowski, Mike Koplove, Jake Woods.
Thursday vs. Blue Jays (Clearwater):Carlos Carrasco (pictured, left), J.A. Happ, Justin Lehr, Gary Majewski, Blaine Neal, Yorman Bazardo.
Friday at Reds (Sarasota):Drew Carpenter, Antonio Bastardo, Chad Durbin, Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero, Sergio Escalona.
Saturday vs. Rays (Clearwater):Kyle Kendrick, Drew Naylor, Adam Eaton, Clay Condrey, Scott Eyre, Brad Lidge.
Sunday at Braves (Lake Buena Vista):Brett Myers, Chan Ho Park, Nestor, Borkowski.
Monday, B-game at Blue Jays (Dunedin): Moyer, Blanton, Majewski, Romero, Escalona, Condrey.
Monday at Blue Jays (Dunedin): Happ, Carrasco, Koplove, Woods, Bastardo, Bisenius.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, spring-training games begin Wednesday, and for that, we're all very thankful. These daily workouts are important for the Phillies, but after a week of pitchers throwing from bullpen mounds and players taking batting/infield practice, everyone is ready for something different. And when the games begin, the focus will shift to competition for jobs, especially the four-way competition to be the No. 5 starter.
If you've read been reading The News Journal over the past week, and I know you have, you know all about Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ, Chan Ho Park and Carlos Carrasco. If, for some reason, you've missed a day, you can read feature stories on each pitcher by clicking here, here, here and here.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- It's impossible to walk through the Phillies' clubhouse here at Bright House Field and not think about last October. And when you think about last October, and all of the wonderful things that happened to the Phillies, you don't think of only Ryan Howard or Jimmy Rollins or Chase Utley.
You think of Matt Stairs.
And Geoff Jenkins.
And Eric Bruntlett.
For the Sunday News Journal, I sat down with some of the Unsung Legends of the Fall, the players who lack star power but will forever be remembered fondly by Phillies fans for their significant contributions to the 2008 World Series championship. So, if you're looking for something to do on a cold Sunday back home, please check out the story. And when you're through, let me know which moment stands out most for you when you think about last October.
Back in a bit with a weekend edition of the Philled In video blog.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Over the past two days, almost every Phillies pitcher has thrown 40 pitches in live batting practice on the back fields of the Carpenter Complex.
Cole Hamels hasn't been among them.
Hamels, the Phillies' ace lefty and scheduled opening-day starter, is progressing more slowly than most pitchers in camp. According to pitching coach Rich Dubee, the club is being cautious with Hamels, who threw a majors-leading 262.1 innings last season (227.1 in the regular season, 35 in the playoffs). Even CC Sabathia, with all of those complete games, threw only 253 innings.
And, ordinarily, that wouldn't be a big deal. But Hamels has a checkered injury history. Last season was the first year he didn't spend time on the disabled list since 2003. Hamels also left camp today for personal reasons and will be back Monday, Dubee and Charlie Manuel said.
So, is there reason to be worried?
"He's just a little slow," Dubee said. "We're going to give him a little extra time. He took extra time off [in the offseason], and rightfully so. But he's basically on his same track as other spring trainings."
Dubee said Hamels likely will make his spring-training debut March 4 at Bright House Field against the Canadian team for the World Baseball Classic.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- About a half-hour after the Phillies came off the back fields at the Carpenter Complex today, Chase Utley stepped into the indoor batting cage and took about 60 swings off live pitching from triple-A Lehigh Valley manager Dave Huppert. At one point, midway through the session, Utley stepped out of the batter's box.
"Need a breather?" he asked Huppert.
"I'm all right," Huppert said. "As long as you are."
For a second time in three days, Utley surreptitiously took BP (well, the secret is out now) under the close supervision of athletic trainer Scott Sheridan. That's another big step for Utley, who is fielding grounders, turning double plays and looking more and more like he'll be ready to play in the season-opener April 5 at the Bank against the Atlanta Braves. When Utley underwent arthroscopic hip surgery on Nov. 24, the initial estimates were that he'd be sidelined for four to six months.
So, Chase, how did it feel?
"Same as the other day," he shrugged. "It went well."
Utley's first live BP session, after Thursday's workout, was conducted in so much secret that not even hitting coach Milt Thompson was aware. Utley probably would've taken batting practice yesterday, too, but Thompson hid his bats. Seriously. Clearly, the Phillies are encouraged by Utley's progress, but they don't want him to overdo it.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Charlie Manuel hadn't worn a tuxedo since his son's wedding, about 12 years ago. For pitching coach Rich Dubee, it had been even longer.
"Thirty years and two days ago," Dubee said. "When I got married."
But today, after the Phillies finished their workout here, Manuel, Dubee, coaches Milt Thompson, Davey Lopes, Mick Billmeyer and Roly de Armas and 23 of the 25 players on last year's playoff roster donned fitted, black & red tuxedos and sunglasses for a photo shoot with the World Series trophy (the only missing players were Pat Burrell and So Taguchi, who aren't back for 2009). The picture will be available in the Phillies' program for April home games. Trust me, it's worth seeing.
More on that, and other tidbits, in today's video.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Over the past several days in The News Journal, we have presented stories about Kyle Kendrick and J.A. Happ (you can read them here and here). So, yesterday, I thought I would continue my tour of the Phillies' wannabee fifth-starters by profiling Chan Ho Park, and during a 20-minute, one-on-one interview, I found the 35-year-old Korean right-hander to be fascinating.
First, he's in tremendous shape, and he has been spending extra time in the weight room before and after the Phillies' on-field workouts to try to stay that way. Also, he really wants to be a starter, but we already knew that when he tearfully declined to pitch for his beloved Korea in the World Baseball Classic in order to maximize his spring-training starts for the Phillies. (By the way, top prospect Carlos Carrasco also has decided not to play for his native Venezuela; more on that later.)
But I built my story around the events of August 2006 when Park sustained a rare blood disorder that afflicts only about 2 percent of the population. He overcame that, revived his career in the Dodgers' bullpen last season, and although his greatest value to the Phillies may be as a reliever, he'll have a chance to win a starting job this spring.
*** Within the notebook, we examined some adjustments Geoff Jenkins has made to his batting stance. We also heard from Chase Utley and looked briefly at first-round pick Anthony Hewitt.
*** In the tradition of "Hardball" host (and big Phillies fan) Chris Matthews, here's today's BIG number: The Phillies sold 50,000 tickets yesterday on the first day of individual game sales. That's up from last year, when the first-day sales totaled about 35,000.
More big numbers: Now that Kendrick ($475,000), Ronny Paulino ($440,000) and Happ ($405,000) have signed contracts, the Phillies' payroll has topped $132 million. It'll probably reach $133 million after Carlos Ruiz and Mike Zagurski reached contract agreements.
*** On tap today, my favorite early spring-training event: Live batting practice. It figures to be a long morning for the hitters, who usually aren't as tuned up as the pitchers in mid-February. Plus, it's chilly here (50 degrees on the Bright House Field scoreboard). Not exactly "hittin' season," as Charlie Manuel would say.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Before we get to today's video, I wanted to mention that a crew from HBO's "Real Sports" has been here for the past two days, working on a story about Charlie Manuel that is scheduled to air March 17 and could be pushed to April. The leader of that crew is Frank Deford, one of my all-time journalistic heroes. For our younger readers, Deford, 70, was a senior writer at Sports Illustrated during the magazine's glory days. He's also a novelist (he wrote "Everybody's All-American") and, quite simply, one of the best storytellers ever. If you haven't read it, check out "The World's Tallest Midget," an anthology of great Deford stories.
And now, without further ado, our daily video, which highlights Geoff Jenkins' adjusted batting stance, the promise of Anthony Hewitt and more.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Morning, everyone. Chase Utley held court here a little while ago, and since we spoke with him at the end of last week, there is nothing much new to report about his rehab from hip surgery.
But, when it comes to Utley, no news is good news.
Over the next few days, Utley plans to begin fielding harder-hit ground balls and facing some light pitching. He has been swinging off a tee and hitting underhanded soft toss in the batting cage. Asked if he will be ready for the April 5 season-opener, Utley said that's "pretty realistic." He set his odds at "fair to quite fair" that he'll be in the lineup that night against the Braves.
If you have about 10 minutes to kill and want to hear Utley's full news conference (hey, maybe he'll even drop an F-bomb!), please click here: DW_A0320.mp3
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Wasn't able to squeeze much of this into today's story in The News Journal, so I wanted to use it here. Jimmy Rollins is the Phillies' union representative, and among the many things he discussed here today were his thoughts on the situations facing Alex Rodriguez and J.C. Romero. I'll just post J-Roll's thoughts, and if you'd like, we can discuss.
On whether the names of the other 103 players who turned up positive in the 2003 sample testing should be released: "That's unfair to release the name of one guy, but understand that when we did the test in '03, it was supposed to be anonymous, just to get a number to see if in the following year they were going to implement drug testing. To have a leak like that, it's really just the way it is. There are leaks in Presidential cabinets. If they're not safe, you know we're not safe. It's that simple. I really don't think it's going to do anything. You throw [names] out there, and half of them might not be playing the game anymore. Half of them might not even be significant to the impact of the game, so what impact would it make just to put the guys out there. It is unfair to have one guy to be the face of it. That's the way it is."
On whether it bothers him that all players, even the clean ones, are being called into question: "If you're clean, it doesn't matter. If you're clean, it really doesn't bother you. You stand there, you stand firm. I guess you brush it off if your clean. There's no merit to what they're saying, you have nothing to worry about."
On whether he agrees with A-Rod that steroids were the culture of the game in '01: "It was different. It was talked about, it was definitely talked about. But you knew I guess when I came up, that it was about to start getting cracked down upon. Fortunately I grew up with my father, who was a body builder and weight lifter, so I knew about drugs. When I was young he always used to point out guys and you could tell the difference. I was always steered (away) from it. My dad always worked hard, and that's just always the way I've been about things. My dad would have seen it right away. Walking around, face getting all puffy, looking like you're holding water in your stomach, yeah, he would have noticed it right away."
On whether any teammates have been unhappy with the way the A-Rod thing was handled: "No, not yet, not yet. I am the rep for the team but no one has addressed anything. They might just be waiting until we have our union meeting, which we have every spring. I can assume it's going to be a heated conversation, and there needs to be issues brought up about testing, about things we are able and aren't able to take, what's OK, if we give you this product, is it OK. ... There's a lot of things that need to be addressed, maybe separation on performance-enhancing drug suspension as opposed to what happed to J.C., a supplement that happened to be tainted. I don't think they should get the same fine."
On whether Romero's 50-game suspension was excessive: "I would say less games, maybe $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 fine and get it done with. Circumstances surrounding his situation weren't clear. Is it legal? Is it illegal? He bought it over the counter. It's tainted. When he failed the test, he took the stuff, took the test again and was clean. It makes it tough, but we are responsible for what we put into our body, so we should be held accountable at some point. But 50 games for something he bought over the counter, and took it without the intent of cheating should be separated from a guy that's saying I'm going to go out there and hopefully get away with a PED. Maybe it's something we can address, doing something about that difference and that will answer that gray area."
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Busy day here at the Complex. Jimmy Rollins addressed reporters after the workout today, and in a wide-ranging 20-minute conversation, he touched on the Phillies' rivalry with the Mets, Alex Rodriguez's situation and attending Barack Obama's inauguration.
On the Mets vowing to avenge Cole Hamels' "choke artists" comment: "It's going to be a fun game. Any time we play them, but I guess when Cole is pitching, they are going to step it up and of course we are going to stand up for Cole, so that is going to force us to step it up. But that just brings out the best in both teams. We're going to win, but it definitely will bring out the best in both teams."
On A-Rod: "It's good that he came out and he admitted his use. You know the way people in the game look at him. He knows the way people outside the game looks at him. With him having the title of the best player in the game, you would've hoped for him to have done it naturally throughout his whole career. Unfortunately, he made a mistake, but he's 'fessing up to it. He said he's been clean for the last four to five years or so. If that's the case, then let him go out there and prove it. When it comes to his post-career, his Hall of Fame numbers, he definitely has the numbers. Changing the game the way he has, he can get into the Hall of Fame, but it's up to the [writers] to vote him in. And one of the things that's included is the integrity of the game, and that's definitely going to hurt him."
For J-Roll's comments on Obama and more, please check out today's video:
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- And the insults from Port St. Lucie keep on comin'. Here's what Jose Reyes said today about the Phillies.
"We don't worry about Philly. I don't know why they worry so much about the New York Mets. They can talk about whatever they want to, because we worry about us. They are the one to win the World Series, not us, and we don't say nothing about them. We just say congratulations to the Phillies. We focus on them when we play them, but they always seem like they're talking something about us, and I don't know why.
"We worry about the New York Mets, not other teams. They have to be happy because they won the World Series -- why do they focus on us? What did I do to them? If we win the World Series, everybody is going to be happy and not worry about other teams."
Interestingly, there has been absolutely NO talk about the Mets from Phillies camp, although Jimmy Rollins did say the Phillies will win games against the Mets when Cole Hamels pitches. Asked today about the Mets and their insistence on using and re-using the "team to beat" line in reference to their rivalry with the Phillies, Rollins said, "It has been pretty funny and see it going on and on and on. I sit here and laugh and say, 'Really, this is still going on?' But every time a team is going to be good and facing another team that's going to be good, someone is going to have something to prove. We're going to win, but it's going to be fun to watch. If that's the term they want to use to state their claim, then so be it." Asked if he considers himself a "trend-setter" for using the "team to beat" line first in 2007, Rollins said with a wink, "No, not at all."
Reyes also said he heard about Phillies players taunting Shane Victorino during the NL Division Series for putting his finger in the air as he rounded first base after hitting his grand slam against CC Sabathia.
"I don't know why they say that, because I'm not the only one pimpin' when I hit a home run," Reyes said. "A lot of people do that. People from Philadelphia, too. They stand for a couple of seconds at home plate [after a homer] and nobody say nothing. So like I said, I don't know why they're so focused on us. We just worry about us."
The first Phillies-Mets game is May 1 at Citizens Bank Park.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Looks who's on the cover of next week's Sports Illustrated. Asked if he's worried about the notorious SI jinx, Cole Hamels said, "Nah. I don't even know what that is. As long as I'm not on a Madden cover."
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- For about 19 minutes this morning, Mike Schmidt sat on a picnic bench outside the Phillies' clubhouse and spoke with the media. He does it every spring, and every spring, it seems there's another steroid scandal to ask him about. Last year, it was Roger Clemens. This year, it's Alex Rodriguez. In the past, it has been Barry Bonds.
Anyway, Schmidt didn't say anything too revealing, although he did seem skeptical about A-Rod's "I was young and stupid" defense. "I guess it works," he said. "Young and stupid may be better [if you are] 12, 13, 14, as opposed to 23, 24, 25, 26." Schmidt said he isn't upset about A-Rod passing him on the all-time homer list. Regarding A-Rod's Hall of Fame candidacy, he said, "I'd welcome him if he got elected." And, interestingly, Schmidt said it was the great Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa home-run chase in 1998 that got him interested in baseball again after years away from the game.
So, those were the highlights. If you'd like, I can post Schmidt's complete thoughts on A-Rod. I'm kind of curious to know how interested y'all are in this whole A-Rod saga. Were you riveted to the press conference yesterday, or could you care less?
Schmidt also was asked this hypothetical question: If the 2008 Phillies played the 1980 Phillies in a seven-game series, who would win?
"That's not a good question," he said with a smile.
C'mon, Schmidty.
"Probably these guys," he said, finally. "Bigger, faster, stronger. Yeah, no doubt in my mind. It would go seven games. It would probably turn on a Schmidt error at third base. Bowa picks it up, throws to first, and Bruce Froemming calls him safe. And the '08 team wins in a controversial play that's talked about for years."
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- J.A. Happ never expected to win a World Series. Not last year. Not after being among the Phillies' first spring-training cuts and nearly falling off the prospect radar because of a 2007 elbow problem.
But he pitched the Phillies to a pair of September wins over the Braves and was included on the playoff roster. And after pitching in Game 3 of the NLCS, sprinting from the bullpen to the mound to pile on closer Brad Lidge after the final out of the World Series and riding in the parade down Broad Street, Happ needed to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
So, he called Don and Kathy Kadlac.
Happ isn’t related to the Kadlacs. Not by blood, anyway. But they are his baseball parents, the kind folks with whom he lived in 2005 when he was just a 22-year-old prospect pitching at Class A Lakewood.
"We congratulated him, of course, and it was like he was in a dream world," Kathy Kadlac told me yesterday from her home in Brick, N.J. "I think he was numb. He just kept saying, 'I can't believe we won the World Series. And I helped get us there.'"
The Phillies even invited Happ along for their World Series trophy tour last month. He made stops at banquets in Lakewood, N.J., and Williamsport, Pa. At the Lakewood event, he reunited with the Kadlacs, even singling them out during a short speech.
"He took the microphone and turned to us and thanked us for being part of his life," Kathy said. "I got goosebumps. He's a very humble young man, but he's very determined. His goal is to make it to the top."
Now, though, his goal is to win the Phillies' fifth-starter job, and he'll have to beat out Kyle Kendrick, Chan Ho Park and Carlos Carrasco in spring training. If he doesn't, he still can win a job in the Phillies' bullpen as a second lefty reliever.
Happ will do whatever it takes to duplicate the feeling he had last October.
"My goal is to be in the big leagues," Happ said. "Hopefully, my minor-league days are behind me. I want to prove that I'm ready to have a spot on this team."
*** Raul Ibanez doesn't condone what Alex Rodriguez and other admitted steroid users in baseball have done. But unlike many players, he isn't crying about how the cheaters got an unfair advantage. Quite the opposite, actually.
"I'm actually thankful almost because I think the guys that were cheating made me better," Ibanez said yesterday. "I wasn't going to take that road, and I knew I had to work harder to compete to keep up with the other people who were cheating. My mindset was always that I was going to outlast the people that were cheating because it's a foreign substance, and it's not supposed to be in your body. I always felt that I was going to work harder and be better. I think it wound up making me better. I think I probably never would've gone into the weight room if the game hadn't gotten so big and strong. I probably wouldn't have gone to find the best trainers and the best training methods. Of course, part of you thinks you got cheated, but the optimistic side of me says I'm glad because it made me a better player."
*** On tap for today: We'll hear from Mike Schmidt (always interesting), and hopefully, we'll get a chance to chat with Jimmy Rollins (usually even more interesting). So, stay tuned for all of that.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, Carlos Beltran reported to Mets camp today, and according to Philled In's spies across the state, he was told that new closer Francisco Rodriguez already has declared the Mets the "team to beat" in the NL East.
Beltran smiled and said, "He say that? I agree with him."
Oh, and about Cole Hamels calling the Mets "choke artists" back in December, Beltran said, "The only thing I know is that he will be watched every time he faces us. Hopefully, we kill him, and then he'll have to deal with the situation."
So, there's that.
*** Just polished off stories for tomorrow's News Journal, but wanted to pass along some late-afternoon news: Chris Coste has agreed to a 2009 contract. He'll make $460,000 in the majors, $249,000 in the minors.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- It was a pretty quiet day here at Bright House Field, but 20 miles away in Tampa, the Alex Rodriguez circus was taking place in Yankees camp. When A-Rod's press conference was over, I walked into the Phillies' clubhouse. And although almost every player was gone, Raul Ibanez was still there. Ibanez and A-Rod came up together in the Mariners' organization and called this a "sad day" for baseball. He also said A-Rod was so talented that never needed to use steroids.
"He was the most talented 18-year-old I've ever seen, still to this day," Ibanez said. "The first time I saw him swing a bat in the cage, I told people, 'I think that guy is going to be the next Juan Gonzalez,' and I've since apologized. Juan Gonzalez was a great player, but this guy is on another level."
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Chase Utley fielded grounders -- hard grounders hit by infield coach Sam Perlozzo -- during today's workout. Then, he went to the indoor batting cage and took swings off a tee.
Pedro Feliz did none of those things.
Charlie Manuel admitted that Utley is closer to being ready to play than Feliz. That's surprising, especially since the Phillies initially projected that Utley's total recovery time from Nov. 24 hip surgery would be 4 to 6 months, while Feliz's recovery time from Nov. 20 back surgery would be 8 to 12 weeks.
"I would say Feliz right now might be on a longer leash than Ut, but at the same time, I feel like he's not going to miss a whole lot of time," Manuel said. "Utley is doing more right now. I think he is [closer to returning] because of what he's been doing. Feliz has been working out this winter, but Utley is fielding ground balls. Feliz is not allowed to do that yet. Utley is just doing more. His workouts are more strenuous."
As players have trickled into camp, many with new contracts and even greater wealth, I had been waiting for someone to reference the nation's spiraling economy, which has had at least some impact on baseball this winter. Alas, nobody did. Ryan Howard, the highest-paid Phillies player, even was asked about the economy and shrugged off the notion that it had anything to do with his willingness to sign a three-year, $54 million extension after two years of not being able to reach a contract agreement with the Phillies.
But then Ibanez showed up yesterday. And, without any direct prompting (he was asked only about his three-year, $31.5 million deal and the pressures that come with both his new deal and having to replace popular Pat Burrell), he offered up this pearl: "Pressure? I wouldn't call it that. I've always felt pressure is a single mom working two jobs, trying to feed her family. That's pressure. This is baseball. I feel very blessed. The market and the way things have played out, not just the baseball market but the world market, there's a lot of people suffering out there. I just feel very fortunate."
Regardless of how Ibanez performs this season (here at Philled In, we're on record as saying he'll do just fine), his awareness of the plight of ordinary people and his refreshing outlook on his position in society as a baseball player is worth applauding, don't you think?
*** Where were you when Brad Lidge threw the pitch that clinched the Phillies' first World Series title since 1980? In Philly, that's a question that will be asked for decades, sort of like "where you when JFK was shot or when Barack Obama was inaugurated.
Koplove, who pitched for the University of Delaware in 1998, is a South Philly native. Still lives there, too, in a house that's only about a 7-minute walk from the Bank. So, when the Phillies were on the verge of winning it all, he walked outside and took a listen. The crowd was so loud, he said, that he didn't even have to watch on TV to know how things were going.
*** On tap: Big day today. The Phillies will hold their first full-squad workout, and Charlie Manuel will give his annual state of the team address to the players. We'll have more in a little while.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, I was planning to talk about the Page 1 story in today's News Journal about the economy's effect on the Phillies, but at the last minute, I called an audible. That's what happens sometimes in spring training. You plan to do one thing, and circumstances require that you change course.
Anyway, since all of the Phillies' position players reported to camp today, I decided instead to talk a bit about the suddenly uncertain status of Pedro Feliz, and Raul Ibanez's first impressions of Philly when he visited in December for his physical and press conference. I think you'll find them amusing. Besides, we can always touch on the economy tomorrow. Unfortunately, it isn't getting better overnight.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Chase Utley's every step has been chronicled since his hip surgery in November. But we haven't heard much about Pedro Feliz. Well, Feliz reported to camp this morning, a full day before the first full-squad workout (so did Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Greg Dobbs, even Jimmy Rollins), and said his lower back is feeling better since his November surgery to repair a herniated disk.
But Feliz also hasn't started swinging a bat or fielding ground balls, which means his last swing was the World Series-clinching RBI single in Game 5. Mostly, he has been doing conditioning drills and throwing back home in the San Francisco area. Feliz said he expects to resume normal baseball activities "any time soon," but he said he definitely plans to be ready by the season-opener April 5.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, there I was yesterday, watching Brad Lidge and Chad Durbin and Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer throw their first bullpen sessions of the spring when I realized I was more interested in the catchers to whom they were pitching.
For now, at least, the Phillies' starting catcher is Carlos Ruiz, a favorite of pitching coach Rich Dubee. Pitchers love throwing to Ruiz, and his defense and game-calling were so impressive last season that Charlie Manuel basically ignored his .219 average that made the No. 8 spot in the lineup a black hole for long stretches of the season. But, for as good as he is behind the plate, he didn't become the outright starter last season until Chris Coste stopped hitting. Coste ended the season in a 3-for-32 slump, and although Ruiz wasn't hitting much better, Manuel elected to start the better defensive catcher in 19 of the final 28 regular-season games and all 14 playoff games.
Coste's poor finish has left him to battle this spring with newcomer Ronny Paulino for the backup job. And in today's News Journal, we examined that competition. Coste maintains (and I tend to agree) that he has unfairly gained a reputation as a subpar defensive catcher. There are advanced sabermetrics, things like "catcher's ERA" and "wild pitches/passed balls per inning," that support Coste's claim. Yet, for Coste, playing time will always be dictated by how well he's hitting. Over the past 2-1/2 seasons, Manuel has put Coste in the lineup more often when he's swinging a hot bat. So, if Coste hits well this spring (he always has been a good spring-training hitter), odds are he'll have a job, either as the backup catcher or a right-handed pinch-hitter.
We don't know much yet about Paulino, except that he lost the Pirates' starting job to Ryan Doumit last spring. Word out of Pittsburgh is that Paulino was out of shape last season. But the Phillies believe they can unlock his potential, so they traded for him in December. I watched Paulino take batting practice yesterday, and he has serious pop in his bat. He's a big dude (6-foot-3, 235 pounds), but his conditioning doesn't appear to be a problem this year, especially after he played in the Dominican Winter League.
But here's where the catching situation gets really interesting. Lou Marson, a 22-year-old prospect, had a breakout 2008 season for double-A Reading and the U.S. Olympic team before homering in his major-league debut Sept. 28. Marson is expected to start at triple-A Lehigh Valley, but check out what Coste said about him yesterday: "They throw around that 'can't-miss' tag a lot, but he's got every skill that a major-league star catcher has -- a Jason Varitek, Brian McCann, Russell Martin. Physically, he's got every tool. He can throw it, catch it, block it. Offensively, he can drive the ball. He's going to put himself in position to be an All-Star-type catcher for many years."
Now, Manuel said it's possible, perhaps even likely, that Ruiz, Coste and Paulino will all make the team out of spring training. But all have contract options, meaning they can be sent to the minors without clearing waivers. And if Marson starts fast at Lehigh Valley, he could force one of them out of a job before too long.
OK, you be the manager. How would you handle the catching situation this spring?
*** Meanwhile, across the state, Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez says he "had no idea" about the Phillies-Mets history with regard to the "team to beat" comment made famous by Jimmy Rollins two years ago. "I was in a different league," K-Rod told the New York Daily News. "I don't know if people are going to get offended with this. I'm not trying to make any ball club offended in our division or the National League. That's the opinion of me as a player. I'm just giving it."
And, regarding his characterization of the Mets as "choke artists" in December, Cole Hamels (right, AP photo) explained, "I don't know what happened. My personality is that I don't need to make comments like that. I don't need that kind of attention. I hope I get that label cleaned up. My teammates and players know I don't talk like that."
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, in the pages of the Sunday News Journal, you heard from Kyle Kendrick, who is attempting to redeem himself after the bitter disappointment of losing his spot in the starting rotation last September.
Well, he got a vote of confidence today.
Kendrick is the frontrunner in the competition for the fifth-starter spot, according to pitching coach Rich Dubee. After today's workout here, Dubee said he considers Kendrick a slight favorite to win the job over lefty J.A. Happ, veteran right-hander Chan Ho Park and prospect Carlos Carrasco.
"I can't walk away from 21 wins," Dubee said, referring to Kendrick's 21-13 record over the past two seasons. "To me, he's the leading candidate going in as the fifth starter because of what he's done."
But this is hardly a done deal. Dubee, who was painfully honest in his criticisms of Kendrick last season, made it clear that Happ, Park and Carrasco will have a chance to win the job by outpitching Kendrick this spring. And if Kendrick hasn't developed his changeup, it's entirely possible that he can be outpitched.
So, clearly, this job will be won on the mound and may not be decided for several weeks.
*** Today's arrivals: Matt Stairs, Eric Bruntlett, Jayson Werth. Stairs said he hasn't picked up a bat since the World Series (too busy coaching high-school hockey in Maine). Bruntlett looks like he hasn't shaved since the World Series, while Werth reported with a short haircut.
*** Line of the day: "You're gonna use a glove this year?" soft-tossing Jamie Moyer joked to rookie catcher Lou Marson before throwing a 45-pitch bullpen session.
BY SCOTT LAUBER
