Phillies Sign Paul Bako

I'm glad to see Bako sign on somewhere. He gave Koyie Hill a good challenge in the spring.

Paulino = defensive liability who is currently batting .212 with 1 homer and an OPS of .685. (.250 with 3 homers and an OPS of, say, .740 would qualify as "not exactly tearing up the league." What Paulino is doing would be more accurately described as "stinking up the joint.")

Bako = talented defensive catcher who will provide organizational depth. They didn't sign the guy to play at Citizen's Bank Park. They signed him to play his way through the minor league system and teach the Phillies' young pitchers a thing or two about pitching in the big leagues. For that purpose, Bako is clearly and emphatically > Paulino.