Jan. 31 -- RELIEF IN SIGHT?

OK, we know the Phillies need a setup man for their bullpen. And now, after reading his comments today to the San Diego Union-Tribune, we know Padres GM Kevin Towers likes Aaron Rowand (left), and at some point in the offseason, discussed dealing dependable eighth-inning reliever Scott Linebrink for him.

I just don't see it happening.

First, the Phillies don't exactly have a surplus of outfielders. It's Rowand in center, Shane Victorino in right and Pat Burrell in left, with oft-injured Jayson Werth on the bench. That's it. Michael Bourn or Chris Roberson? Neither are ready to be an everyday outfielder in the majors. So, until the Phillies know that Burrell's gimpy right foot can handle nine innings of defense and Werth's surgically repaired wrist is healed, they can't trade an outfielder without getting one back. And they won't know either of those things until spring training.

Also, GM Pat Gillick reiterated Tuesday that he's still in the market for a left-handed hitter, possibly one who plays the outfield. The Phillies are still trying to find a taker for No. 6 starter Jon Lieber, and it's entirely possible a pitching-needy team would part with an outfielder. But Gillick also said he still expects to take six starters to Clearwater in two weeks, an indication that a deal involving Lieber is not yet imminent.

Indications I've gotten are that discussions of a Rowand-Linebrink swap were held several weeks ago -- and went nowhere. But, make no mistake, Linebrink (right) is exactly the kind of reliever the Phillies are looking for. The 30-year-old right-hander has set up for Trevor Hoffman for the past three seasons, appearing in 73 games each year and posting ERAs of 2.14 in 2004, 1.83 in 2005 and 3.57 in 2006. If the Phillies got Linebrink to pitch the eighth inning, Ryan Madson , Geoff Geary and possibly Antonio Alfonseca could be utilized in sixth- and seventh-inning roles, and all of a sudden, the bullpen looks a lot more solid.

As much as Gillick likes Rowand's leadership and heart, he was willing to discuss putting him in the Freddy Garcia trade in December. But he was able to get Garcia without moving Rowand, and thus, he didn't acquire additional outfield help. And now, a Burrell-Victorino-Werth outfield would look like an awful shaky proposition.

"It might be something we discuss again later this spring," Towers told the Union-Tribune about a Linebrink-Rowand swap. "But right now I want to see what we have in spring training. I want to see how [outfielder] Terrmel Sledge plays and how our bullpen shapes up."

I'm certain the Phillies at least want to see the same from Burrell, Werth and their bullpen before they'd even consider moving Rowand.

Jan. 29 -- WRIGHT: PHILS GOT IT WRONG

It appears the long-dormant Phillies-Mets rivalry is heating up, thanks to Jimmy Rollins.

Mets third baseman David Wright, one of the classiest guys in baseball, gave a radio interview on WFAN in New York today and addressed J-Roll's comments from last week that the Phillies, not the division-champion Mets, are "the team to beat" in the NL East.

"I was reading an article, [and] according to Jimmy Rollins, nobody's got a chance except the Phillies," Wright said. "It's bulletin board material. Everybody in our clubhouse shies away from things like that, especially with us winning the division in the fashion that we did last year. He's confident. I guess that's a good thing for them, but when we read that, it irks you a little bit and makes you want to go out and beat them that much worse."

Later in the interview with Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts, Wright was asked how much he hates the Yankees.

"I think I dislike the Braves and the Phillies more than I dislike the Yankees," Wright said. "Don't get me wrong, I love the Subway Series, I love the passion that there is, but when you play a team 19 times a year, there becomes a true rivalry. There's more of a true dislike inside of our division than cross-town against the Yankees."

Mark your calendar: The Phillies will be at Shea Stadium on April 9 when the Mets are slated to celebrate their 2006 NL East championship. They should ask Jimmy Rollins to say a few words.

Jan. 23 -- GREAT EXPECTATIONS

PHILADELPHIA -- Why is this man smiling? Well, he thinks the Phillies will make the playoffs this season.

Actually, Cole Hamels is sure they will.

In what amounted to guarantees, Hamels and Jimmy Rollins today said the Phillies have what it takes to unseat the New York Mets in the NL East and make the playoffs for the first time since 1993. I like their confidence, but until they post a winning record in April, I'll reserve judgment.

Click here to see Robert Craig's great photos from a day at Citizens Bank Park. Also, some other nuggets:

* RHP Scott Mathieson dropped by for a check-up with team doctor Michael Cicotti and reported that he may begin throwing within the next two weeks. Mathieson, who had Tommy John elbow surgery in September, isn't expected to start pitching in minor-league games until July.

* Between now and Opening Day, Charlie Manuel figures to be asked, ad nauseum, about whether the Phillies can get off to a better start. Today, the manager answered affirmatively and offered this reason: "Our starting pitching is much better [than early last year]. If you go back and look, I think our starters were near the bottom in baseball at the beginning of last year." He right. Through June 1, Phillies starters had a 5.15 ERA. And that was before the Adam Bernero disaster.

* Manuel still thinks the Phillies need a setup man, even after making the Antonio Alfonseca signing official today. "When I say we need to get our bullpen solid, [Ryan] Madson or [Geoff] Geary could step up. That could eliminate us from having to go get somebody."

* Rollins said he hasn't put on 10 pounds, like he does in most offseasons. He's still lifting weights, but he's been more careful about his routine. Among his exercises are one-legged squats, designed to strengthen his legs.

Jan. 23 -- MORE ON HOWARD

CHERRY HILL, N.J. -- Blogging from last night's Philadelphia Sports Writers Association banquet, it occurred to me that the reason everyone is so interested in what will happen with Ryan Howard's contract is that there's no precedent for this. The last player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in successive years was Cal Ripken Jr., and since he did it (1982-83), baseball's economy has reached a surrealistic level.

Howard's rate of success has almost been too rapid. He wants to be paid like an MVP, but nobody gets that kind of money after only a year and a half in the majors. If the Phillies were to lavish Howard with a seven-year, $100-plus million contract now, one full year before he's eligible for arbitration, they'd be stepping beyond the bounds of baseball's salary structure and setting a new (and possibly dangerous) standard for the game's economics.

I've written before that the Phillies need to show Howard the money, and I still feel that way. I'm certain they'll step up his salary from $355,000 last season to about $1 million this year (a nice raise, to be sure). Then, after this season, if he continues to produce at a ridiculously high level, they'll compensate him by considering a multi-year extension.

But I also don't think Howard can (or should) expect Alfonso Soriano money (eight years, $136 million). Soriano got that contract through free agency. A deal of that nature would be record-breaking for an arbitration-level player.

Thoughts?

Jan. 22 -- CUTTING TO THE CHASE

Thought I'd pass along this quick story about Chase Utley -- and why the Phillies were so quick to sign him to a long-term contract.

It was Sunday, May 27, and the Phillies and Brewers were tied 2-2 in the finale of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park. Leading off the fifth inning, Utley rolled a grounder to second base and, as always, sprinted down the first-base line. It looked like a sure out.

Maybe Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks took too much time getting to the ball. Or, maybe, first baseman Prince Fielder took too much time getting to the base. Either way, the play was close, and umpire Tom Hallion called Utley safe, even though the replay (Hallion doesn't have the benefit of replay) revealed he was probably out by a half-step.

Two batters, later Ryan Howard blasted a two-out, two-run homer that gave the Phillies a 4-2 lead en route to a 6-2 win. After the game, I asked Utley about his hustle on a play most players, including some of his Phillies teammates, would've given up on.

"Any time you put a ground ball in play, there's a shot to get on base," he said. "Ninety-five percent of the time, it doesn't work out. But there's always that five percent. I figure, the more you hustle, the better off you are. I don't understand how not to play hard. It's not a concept I get. By hustling, you make a lot of things happen."

Jan. 21 -- UTLEY SIGNS 7-YEAR DEAL

This just in: The Phillies have signed Chase Utley to a seven-year, $85 million contract extension that runs through the 2013 season.

In essence, the deal buys away Utley's three arbitration years, plus four years of free agency, which figure to be his prime seasons of production. When the contract expires, the All-Star second baseman will be 35. Usually, Phillies GM Pat Gillick isn't a fan of such long-term contracts. But assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the Phillies were comfortable with this deal because they consider Utley to be "one of the top 10-15 players in the game."

So, what does this mean for the Phillies' other superstar, Ryan Howard?

Well, it would seem to bode well. Utley was entering his first round of arbitration, a salary stage Howard won't reach until this time next year, based on his service time in the majors. Once Howard becomes arbitration-eligible, and assuming he has another big offensive year, it's probably safe to assume the Phillies will discuss a multi-year deal with him.

But there's one thing to keep in mind: By signing this deal today, Utley probably forfeited some money in exchange for long-term security. If Utley had decided to go through the arbitration process for the next three years, then test the free-agent market, and if his production remained the same, he may have been able to make more than the average annual value of this contract ($12.14 million). Instead, he opted to guarantee himself security against injuries or a drop in production.

If Howard, his family and his new agent, Casey Close , want the Phillies to provide both security and top-dollar for each season he plays, they won't get it. Nobody does.

Jan. 17 -- SPECIAL DAY

PHILADELPHIA -- Thought I'd share a light moment from this morning, when the Phillies hosted five athletes from Special Olympics Delaware at Citizens Bank Park.

Chris Coste (pictured with 9-year-old Danny Howell of Wilmington) and pitcher Adam Eaton were giving a tour of the Phillies' clubhouse when the jovial Eaton asked the kids, "Where do you think my locker should be?" Coste answered, "The guaranteed contract guys usually are on that side."

A little nervous humor from Coste, perhaps?

Eaton, of course, signed a three-year, $24.5 million contract with the Phillies in November. Coste, who finally reached the majors last season after 11 years in the minors, still finds himself having to fight for a job in spring training even after batting .328 in 2006.

Coste and Eaton did a nice job today, and I'm certain the kids won't forget this experience any time soon. You can read my full story in Thursday's News Journal and see more of Jennifer Corbett's fantastic photos by clicking here. Also, check out Thursday's AM webcast on www.delawareonline.com for a video report on the Delaware Special Olympics' day with the Phillies.

Jan. 17 -- ARBITRATION NUMBERS

Here's a look at the salary figures exchanged yesterday by the Phillies and their remaining arbitration-eligible players -- RHP Geoff Geary, RHP Brett Myers and 2B Chase Utley (pictured, left to right). In each case, neither side wants an arbitration hearing, so expect settlements. Hearings begin Feb. 1. The Phillies can negotiate with the players until their hearing date, and often, talks continue during the hearing. The Phillies could also lock up any of the players to multi-year contracts, but they're only interested in pursuing that course with Utley. That may be a bone of contention for Myers, who is believed to want a long-term deal.

GEARY: His request- $925,000; Phillies offer- $750,000
MYERS: His request- $5.9 million; Phillies offer- $5 million
UTLEY: His request- $6.25 million; Phillies offer- $4.5 million

Jan. 16 -- ABOUT ANTONIO

PHILADELPHIA -- As today's media luncheon wound down, I spoke with Phillies assistant GM Mike Arbuckle for a few minutes about 34-year-old reliever Antonio Alfonseca, who will sign an incentive-laden, one-year contract after passing a physical exam.

Alfonseca is a classic low-risk, high-reward move. He was shut down early last season because of an elbow injury. But Phillies special assistant Charley Kerfeld saw him pitch twice in the Dominican Winter League and filed positive reports. In 11 appearances for Azucareros, Alfonseca is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA and four strikeouts in 9-1/3 innings. The Phillies are hoping Alfonseca can be the setup man they're looking for. If he is, his salary can reach a modest $1.1 million. But the base salary is much less, likely in the $400,00-500,000 range.

"He's been [clocked at] 92 [mph] with real good sink," Arbuckle said. "He's got a plus slider and real good command. If he can do that for us, he sounds like a guy that would have a chance to compete for a job, and he could end up being that eighth-inning guy."

Of the rumors that the 250-pound Alfonseca had lost about 30 pounds, Arbuckle said, "If that's true, then he's probably found it. He's always going to be a bad-body guy, but he's in good enough shape to pitch a few innings at a time."

***

A few other notes that didn't make their way into the newspaper:

* GM Pat Gillick on Pat Burrell: "He really didn't have a bad year last year. If you look at his home runs and RBIs he had a pretty good year." Somehow, the assembled reporters managed to keep a straight face.

* Manager Charlie Manuel is considering several lineup possibilities. Against right- handed pitchers, lefty-swinging Ryan Howard could hit third, with righty Chase Utley in the cleanup spot. Against lefties, Howard could hit fourth, with Utley in the No. 3 hole.

* Assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. broke his right ankle after chasing his daughter in their home. Amaro and his crutches still made it to the luncheon.

Jan. 15 -- AUTUMN IN DELAWARE

PHILADELPHIA -- During a break this morning from helping students assemble chairs for a library at their North Philadelphia school, Adam Eaton told me he used to pitch for the Delaware Stars.

Don't remember them? You're probably not alone.

In 1998, Major League Baseball set out to supplement the Arizona Fall League by creating the four-team Maryland Fall League intended for Class A and AA prospects. The Wilmington team played at Frawley Stadium against three teams from Maryland (Frederick, Bowie and Salisbury), and although games were well-attended, the league was dissolved after one year because of the chilly weather. The Stars, featuring Eaton, former Phillies outfielder Eric Valent and league ERA champ Matt Kinney, finished 21-20, tied for second place.

Eaton, then a Phillies prospect, said he lived in Wilmington, not far from St. Elizabeth High, during the six-week MFL schedule that ran from Sept. 22 through Nov. 1. His fondest memory: "There was a Chinese restaurant not far from where we lived that was great. I always used to order the General Tso's chicken."

You can read more about Eaton -- and his first public appearance in Philadelphia since signing a three-year, $24.5 million contract in November -- in Tuesday's News Journal and at www.delawareonline.com.

Jan. 14 -- ONE DOWN, FOUR TO GO

Ryan Madson figures to play a pivotal role in a Phillies bullpen that's every bit as thin as he is. So, the team didn't waste time settling Madson's arbitration case.

Madson, a right-handed reliever, has agreed to a one-year, $1.1 million contract, according to Phils assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. The deal represents a sizable raise for Madson, who made $400,000 in 2006.

After shuffling Madson between the starting rotation and bullpen last season, the Phillies intend to use him exclusively as a reliever. In 50 games overall, including 17 starts, Madson went 11-9 with a 5.69 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 134-1/3 innings last season. As a reliever, he was 3-4 with a 4.50 ERA.

Madson, who became a father to twin boys on Christmas Eve, is expected to be in town this week for the Phillies' winter tour.

Jan. 13 -- PLAYING THEIR CARDS

A few baseball notes before the Eagles game starts ...

* Surprisingly, the Phillies haven't found much of a market for Jon Lieber. One potential trade partner, the St. Louis Cardinals, fortified their depleted rotation this week by re-signing lefty Mark Mulder to a relatively modest two-year, $13 million contract. But if they don't re-up Jeff Weaver, the Cards still will need another starter to join Chris Carpenter, Mulder, free-agent addition Kip Wells and youngster Anthony Reyes. They could turn to former Phillies RHP Ryan Franklin, whom they signed this week for one year and $1 million. Or, they could move Adam Wainwright, who excelled as a closer in the playoffs, back to the rotation.

Of course, they could also trade for Lieber. And with their plethora of relievers, they may be a match for the Phillies, who remain desperate to acquire a reliable setup man who also could close whenever Tom Gordon needs a rest. Sounds like a job for Cardinals reliever Braden Looper. Just a thought.

* Baseball execs and agents will be busy this weekend, exchanging salary figures for players who have filed for arbitration. For the Phillies, that means Chase Utley, Brett Myers, Aaron Rowand, Geoff Geary and Ryan Madson. Don't totally discount the possibility of Utley getting a long-term deal. But for the others, look for a one-year contract with a salary bump from 2006.

* Good news for the Phils: Pedro Martinez dropped by a Mets mini-camp this week, and although he reported he's recovering from October rotator cuff surgery, he still isn't expected to throw a ball until March or pitch in a game until after the All-Star Break. Meanwhile, the Mets have interest in signing former Braves RHP Jorge Sosa, which may be more good news for the Phillies.

* Finally, as I wrote in Saturday's News Journal, Ryan Howard's new agent also represents Derek Jeter and Derrek Lee. But Casey Close's agency, Creative Artists, specializes in Hollywood actors, only recently branching into sports. Among its clients: Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, George Clooney, Tom Hanks and everyone's favorite Scientologist, Tom Cruise. If I'm Howard, I'm concentrating less on getting a contract extension from the Phillies and more on getting a date with Jen.

Jan. 11 -- CASE(Y) CLOSE(D)?

Ryan Howard appears to have picked an agent.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com is reporting late tonight that Howard will be represented by Casey Close of Creative Artists Agency in Beverly Hills. Close (pictured) also is the agent for Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee, two superstars with pristine images.

While it's past the print deadline for our Friday newspaper, I'll be following up on this story in Saturday's paper. One word of warning: Howard's choice of Close is unlikely to change the fact that the Phillies aren't going to give him a long-term deal this winter. They will raise the NL MVP's salary, likely to $1 million, but the contract extension Howard is looking for will have to wait until at least after the 2007 season when he is expected to finally be eligible for salary arbitration.

Pros and cons on McGwire

I don't want to beat this to death, but the vote for the Hall of Fame on McGwire and in the future, other suspected steroid users, isn't a cut-and-dried issue. For one, baseball didn't test for steroids during the 1990s. Secondly, baseball and pretty much everyone else, seemed to look the other way even though everyone had an idea it was going on. And thirdly, we were all captivated by that home run chase in 1998 when McGwire and Sammy Sosa passed Roger Maris' record.

Anyway, I thought I would present differing opinions on how two national writers _

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

and

Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times

_ felt about the issue. They both make compelling arguments. As for me, I'm sticking with my stance that McGwire doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame.

Jan. 9 -- RIPKEN, GWYNN GET HALL PASS

As expected, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. have been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, both by resounding margins. Of the 545 ballots cast, Ripken appeared on 537 (98.84 percent), Gwynn on 532 (97.6 percent). Here's a look at the complete voting results.

Also, as expected, Mark McGwire was denied election in his first year of eligibility. I was a little surprised that Big Mac received as few votes as he did (only 128 votes or 23.5 percent). Candidates need 75 percent for enshrinement in Cooperstown, and my hunch is McGwire will get nothing close to that number until he goes public with details of exactly what substances he used during his playing days. Until then, the whispers about his possible steroid use will doom his candidacy.

To answer Jill's question from a previous post: The balloting is secret, so it's not clear which voters omitted Ripken or Gwynn. One voter, Paul Ladewski of the Daily Southtown (near Chicago), revealed that he submitted a blank ballot as a personal protest of players from the Steroid Era. I'd imagine the other voters who shunned Ripken and Gwynn had similar reasons.

As I wrote in a previous post, the Hall of Fame voting, like most other things, is subjective. And, it's a free country. Writers may do whatever they want with their ballot. So, I will refrain from ripping other writers on this blog because we're all entitled to our opinion. That said, I remain confident in the writers' ability to vote for the Hall of Fame, and I reiterate that no writer I know takes this privilege lightly. Jill: If writers who've covered the game for 10 or more years shouldn't vote for the Hall of Fame, who should? Players and managers have biases, too.

I don't have a vote. Not yet, anyway. But I can tell you there isn't any way I would've excluded Ripken or Gwynn from my ballot. I grew up watching both of them play, and in addition to being supremely talented, they were role models and ambassadors of the game. I spent about two hours on the phone today, participating in national conference calls with Ripken and Gwynn, and it was refreshing to hear Gwynn talk about "losing it" this morning when he received the official call.

Funny story about Ripken: He said he was taking a shower this morning, before he received the call, and suddenly, there was no hot water. He said it reminded him of his early years in the minors when, at many little ballparks in many small towns, the demand for hot water exceeded the supply, leaving players to take cold showers.

When it comes to the Hall of Fame, though, Ripken wasn't going to be left out in the cold.

Jan. 9 -- OOPS ... PHILS SIGN GARCIA

My apologies to Paul W. In the comments section of an earlier post, he asked if I'd heard anything about the Phils signing veteran OF Karim Garcia to a minor-league contract. I said I hadn't, but that Todd Hollandsworth was a possibility, although he's looking for a better deal.

Well, the Phils have agreed to a one-year, minor-league deal with Garcia, pending a physical.

My bad -- and Paul, keep those scoops coming.

Anyway, don't expect huge things from Garcia. If anything, he'll be tbe left-handed pinch-hitter the Phillies have lacked since November when David Dellucci signed with Cleveland. But the Phillies can still find someone better than Garcia, or he could get beaten out in spring training by Randall Simon.

You may remember Garcia from the 2003 ALCS when, as a backup outfielder with the Yankees, he infamously aided reliever Jeff Nelson in a fight with a Fenway Park groundskeeper. That prompted Pedro Martinez to utter the now-famous line, "Who's Karim Garcia?"

Jan. 6 -- KING CARLOS

The latest issue of Baseball America arrived in my mailbox today, and it features the top-10 prospects for each NL East team. Here's the Phillies list, headed by 19-year-old right-handed pitcher Carlos Carrasco (left). I've also listed the level(s) at which they played last season.

1. Carrasco (low-A)
2. Kyle Drabek, LHP (rookie)
3. Adrian Cardenas, 2B (rookie)
4. Edgar Garcia, RHP (short-season-A)
5. Scott Mathieson, RHP (double-A, triple-A, majors)
6. Josh Outman, LHP (low-A)
7. Michael Bourn, OF (double-A, triple-A, majors)
8. J.A. Happ, LHP (high-A, double-A, triple-A)
9. Matt Maloney, LHP (low-A)
10. Greg Golson, OF (low-A, high-A)

Note: Seven of the 10 are pitchers (four of those seven are lefties)... Except for Mathieson, Bourn and Happ, all are low-level minor leaguers. ... Mathieson will be out for most of the 2007 season after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery in September.

Jan. 5 -- ABOUT ANDERSON

During the second half of the 2005 season, I covered Anderson Garcia (right) with the Mets' Double-A team in Binghamton, N.Y. Back then, he was a touted prospect because of his blazing fastball. But I recall talking to scouts who doubted how well he'd fare in the majors because of his underwhelming breaking stuff.

The Phillies, however, are willing to work with him. And, really, what do they have to lose? If Garcia has a strong spring training, he stands a chance to earn a spot in the bullpen. If not, he'll go to Triple-A, and if he doesn't progress there, he can always be removed from the 40-man roster. But with the bullpen as depleted as it is, it can't hurt to take a look at a 25-year-old right-hander with a power arm.

Jan. 5 -- SHOW THEM THE MONEY

Until pitchers and catchers report to Clearwater on Feb. 15, most of what you'll hear about the Phillies will center around possible long-term contracts for the team's two stars: Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.

Mark this down: Utley might get one. Howard won't. At least not this winter.

They both should.

I understand the points made by assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. in Friday's News Journal about the importance of having payroll flexibility and not being bogged down by too many long-term deals. But if Utley and Howard truly are the cornerstone pieces of this franchise's future, they should be signed to long-term deals. Otherwise, there's only doubt about the Phillies' commitment to both players.

Look, clearly the Phillies got burned when they gave Pat Burrell a six-year pact before the 2003 season. But it's hard to believe Utley or Howard will turn into the next Burrell. Supposedly, money isn't an obstacle. After all, they were willing to give Alfonso Soriano $17 million per year (just not for eight years). So, the only question is, how many years do you want to commit to Utley and Howard.

If Utley doesn't get a long-term contract, he's arbitration-eligible, so he'll get a big raise for 2007 (at least $3.5 million, and probably more). Howard isn't due for arbitration until after the 2007 season. At the very least, the Phillies should make a good-faith offer to the NL MVP. Something along the lines of the $900,000 deal the Cardinals gave Albert Pujols before his first arbitration-eligible year. It would send a message that the Phillies intend to get serious about a long-term contract for Howard after they deal with Utley.

Your thoughts?

Jan. 3 -- PHILS WINTER TOUR -- UPDATED!

The Phils will hold their 38th annual Winter Tour from Jan. 15-27, and several players, including Ryan Howard (at left), Cole Hamels and Chris Coste, will be attending. At this time, there aren't any events in Delaware.

* Thurs., Jan. 18 – Chris Coste, Wes Helms, Aaron Rowand, Matt Smith and Shane Victorino will bartend at McFadden's at the Ballpark, 5-6:30 p.m. prior to the Flyers game.
* Sat., Jan. 20 – Ryan Madson, Wes Helms and Matt Smith will sign autographs at the Freehold (N.J.) Raceway Mall, from 12-1:30 p.m.
* Sat., Jan. 20 – Chris Coste and Shane Victorino will sign autographs at the King of Prussia (Pa.) Mall, from 12-1:30 p.m.
* Mon., Jan. 22 – Philadelphia Sportswriters Banquet, Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, N.J. Ryan Howard, Chris Coste and Charlie Manuel will be there. For tickets, call 609-702-7473.
* Tues., Jan. 23 – Phillies Night at the 76ers, Wachovia Center.
* Thurs., Jan. 25 – Cole Hamels will be at the Reading King of Baseballtown Banquet & Fundraiser, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 5:30 p.m. For tickets ($55), go to www.readingphillies.com, or call 610-375-8469.
* Sat., Jan. 27 – Autographs at Lehigh Valley Mall (Whitehall, Pa.), 12-1:30 p.m.
* Sat., Jan. 27 – Autographs at Park City Center (Lancaster, Pa.), 12-1:30 p.m.

Jan. 1 -- MORE ON ZITO

I still think the Giants gave Barry Zito a ridiculous contract, but here's a stat that should irritate Mets fans who wanted to see the left-hander in Flushing.

Most innings pitched since 2001:

1,393.1 -- Livan Hernandez
1,376.2 -- Mark Buehrle
1,337.2 -- Barry Zito
1,318.0 -- Freddy Garcia
1,312.1 -- Tim Hudson

It's worth noting that Jamie Moyer is 9th on the list with 1,268.2.

***

On a personal note, thanks for all the comments and feedback on the News Journal blogs, especially this one, in 2006. Please keep them coming. And I welcome your suggestions for how we can make this blog better in 2007.