BY SCOTT LAUBERSo, I spoke to Ruben Amaro Jr. today, and there is nothing new to report on Nomar Garciaparra, who still hasn't decided if he will play this year. And the Phillies don't expect an answer from him until after spring training begins next week.
"Nomar has been great through the whole process, but he doesn't want to put our team in position to bring on a player who may not be prepared to performed at his accustomed level," Amaro said. "But if we can bring Nomar in and give him an opportunity to be in camp, if he feels like he's healthy enough to do that, it gives us more depth."
So, would Nomar (or, as my friends in Boston say, "Nomahhh") be willing to sign a minor-league contract and test his balky knees and calfs in spring training?
"I'm not sure," Amaro said. "Would it be a possibility? Yes. But Nomar has so much respect in the game that, if it would be a situation where he isn't going to make our club, he'd be free to do whatever he wants. He's earned that. I would hope that, within the next couple weeks, we'll have a clearer picture of where he's at."
***
With spring-training set to begin, it's always helpful to know which players on the 40-man roster have options. Players with options can be sent to the minors without passing through waivers. So, it stands to reason that players who are out of options have a better chance of making the team than players who can be sent to the minors without any risk of being claimed on waivers.
Follow all that?
Anyway, Amaro said both backup catcher candidates -- Ronny Paulino and Chris Coste -- have options. Also, No. 5 starter candidates J.A. Happ, Kyle Kendrick and Carlos Carrasco have options. Thus, it appears the two biggest battles for jobs this spring will be fought on relatively equal footing.
No comments:
Post a Comment