BY SCOTT LAUBERLAS VEGAS -- So, it seems the "small trade" mentioned by Ruben Amaro Jr. will be a swap of catchers. The Phils will send Class AAA catcher Jason Jaramillo to the Pirates for Ronny Paulino, a .278 hitter in parts of four seasons.
Paulino, 27, is a major-league-caliber catcher, so this figures to fuel the speculation that Chris Coste will be packaged in a trade, perhaps the multi-team deal that would bring Mark DeRosa to Philly.
(Updated, 9:29 p.m.): Just talked to Amaro, who gave a vote of confidence to Carlos Ruiz. "As we saw last year, Ruiz was outstanding," Amaro said. "He did a fine job for us. As far as I'm concerned, he's our No. 1 catcher. It's his job to lose."
Amaro said Lou Marson likely will spend most of next season at triple-A Lehigh Valley. Marson had passed Jaramillo on the Phillies' depth chart. Paulino has power (11 home runs in 2007) but was supplanted as the Pirates' starter last season by Ryan Doumit. In 40 games, he batted .212 with two homers and 18 RBIs, but he also threw out 26 percent of potential base stealers.
7 comments:
Interesting. Or could Ruiz be on the move? I know the organization values his defense but Paulino is also a starter.
So of Ruiz, Coste, Paulino and Marson, is it safe to say that at least two of those names are on their way out at some point soon?
Well...that's underwhelming.
The Cubs could use an upgrade from Koyie Hill in the back-up department.
Marson's not going anywhere. He's better than Ruiz. Unfortunately, it looks like Coste will not be with the Phils next season. No way they're bringing in Paulino to play ahead of Marson in Allentown. From a baseball standpoint, this makes sense. Coste is 36, Paulino 27. But I love what Coste brings and hate to see him leave if that indeed happens.
I don't think I'm alone here in wishing that Marson had won a job out of spring training.
I guess the wisdom of this move will be seen if Paulino has a successful campaign.
the guy that quit the phillies he should be the gm not rueban you watch the phillies crumble I'm sorry they''re my team but that assistant gm should have been given the job
Looks like Coste is gone, to bad I liked him but then again so did most......Hey one thing will never change, He is a World Champion BABY
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