Feb. 18 -- FOR SALE: PITCHER'S HOUSE

Jon Lieber (left) may not want to talk about it, but that doesn't mean it won't be talked about. It's no secret the Phillies have been trying to trade Lieber since the winter meetings in December, when they dealt for RHP Freddy Garcia. Now comes this information that Lieber has put his house in Newtown Square, Pa., up for sale. His asking price is $1.7 million, just in case you were wondering or have that kind of cash laying around. My bet? Lieber will be traded next month after spring-training games begin. Too many teams need pitching, and with one year and $7.5 million left on his contract, Lieber certainly is more affordable than a lot of the comparable (or even lesser) pitching out there.

The Phillies' complex is starting to fill up, with players and media. When I walked into the clubhouse this morning, I saw RF Shane Victorino and 3B Wes Helms. Victorino has changed to No. 8 because Helms asked him for No. 18. No word yet on how much that cost Helms. Ryan Howard's press conference is about two hours away, so the Phillies have set up a table and chair in the media lunchroom, behind the small room where me and the other Phillies reporters have been working each day. Reporters from ESPN, USA Today, the New York Times, the Baltimore Sun and the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger are already here, and I'm sure more are on the way.

Still chilly outside, and the sun is nowhere to be found. The wind has also kicked up. But the forecast is calling for more Florida-like temps next week.

Sad news: Phillies assistant GM Mike Arbuckle's father, Junior, has passed away. Funeral services will be held tomorrow in Trenton, Mo.

More later.