Brad Lidge Rumors
By Zach Links [November 8, 2009 at 5:00pm CST]
After falling short in their quest to repeat as world champions, Ruben Amaro Jr. & Co. are charged with the task of putting the organization in position to take the crown in 2010. Buster Olney, Baseball Prospectus and the Insider Staff reviewed the Phillies' '09 campaign and discussed what might be in store for them this winter. An Insider subscription is required, but here are some highlights for those without: With $11.5MM committed to Brad Lidge in each of the next two seasons, the Phillies are likely to keep him penciled in as their fireman. However, the club could seek...
Continue Reading
By Mike Axisa [November 5, 2009 at 12:30pm CST]
We haven't had a World Series rematch since the Yankees and Dodgers squared off in 1977 and then again in 1978, but that doesn't stop ESPN's Buster Olney from looking at what stands in the way of another Yanks-Phils Fall Classic in 2010. Let's round up some hot stove talk... Olney guesses that the Yankees won't tender Chien-Ming Wang a contract, but they may decide to pursue another starter through trade or free agency. Given Brad Lidge's awful year, Olney thinks the Phillies "will be diligent in internally identifying a solid Plan B." He notes that there are plenty of...
Continue Reading
By Tim Dierkes [October 20, 2009 at 10:01am CST]
Links for Tuesday... Chat today, 2pm CST. The Hanshin Tigers are interested in Kenji Johjima, according to Kyodo News. The Rockies are expected to re-sign GM Dan O'Dowd and manager Jim Tracy this week, according to Patrick Saunders and Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times says the Dodgers "are mindful that [signing Yusei Kikuchi] could harm the club's long-standing ties in Japan." Kikuchi told Kyodo News that interviewing with 12 NPB and eight MLB clubs made his decision even more difficult. NPB Tracker has more. Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says Brad...
Continue Reading
By Tim Dierkes [September 4, 2009 at 9:11am CST]
Let's kick off the day with links... Yahoo's David Brown caught up with Pedro Martinez as part of his Answer Man series. Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle writes about the Astros' mistake of ignoring pitching. Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Chronicle notes that the Michael Bourn-Brad Lidge swap no longer looks lopsided. The Astros sent Lidge and Eric Bruntlett to Philly for Bourn, Geoff Geary, and Mike Costanzo in November of 2007. Rany Jazayerli has an open letter to Royals owner David Glass regarding the Dayton Moore extension. Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times writes about Bobby Abreu's...
Continue Reading
By Mike Axisa [August 29, 2009 at 5:21pm CST]
Rumor machine Ken Rosenthal has a new Full Count Video up at FoxSports.com. Let's dive on in... The outcome of this weekend's games could determine which team the recently released Brad Penny signs with. The Giants and Marlins are the two teams pursuing him the most, but the Giants are in a better position in the NL Wildcard standings. The Yankees, Twins, and A's are also expressing interest in the righthander, but "what pitcher in his right mind would want to stay in the American League?" The A's and Padres have even "floated the idea" of signing Penny beyond the...
Continue Reading
By Howard Megdal [June 18, 2009 at 5:53pm CST]
There are two factors working against the Philadelphia Phillies picking up a bat, even with Raul Ibanez sidelined with a groin injury, Jimmy Rollins languishing in the low .200s, and a three-game sweep by the Blue Jays now complete. First is that the Phils may have that replacement bat during Ibanez's recovery in John Mayberry Jr., who homered Thursday afternoon. Mayberry posted an .808 OPS during 210 Triple-A plate appearances in 2009, suggesting he can be an adequate bat in Ibanez's absence. But the bigger issue is the Phillies will need to save their prospects for a deal or deals...
Continue Reading
By Cork Gaines [May 22, 2009 at 2:38pm CST]
On this date seven years ago, the A's traded Jeremy Giambi to the Phillies for John Mabry. At the time of the deal, Giambi was hitting .274/.390/.471 with 8 home runs and Mabry was essentially a pinch-hitter. Giambi would go on to hit 12 more home runs for the Phils but would play only one more season in the big leagues. As rumors start to fly in the '09 season, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere... Fire Ned Colletti Now would be happy to see a team other than the Dodgers trade for Jake...
Continue Reading
By Brian Shephard [March 14, 2009 at 9:05pm CST]
A few links for your Saturday night enjoyment: Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times details Bud Selig's concern about how the state of the economy will effect baseball. Selig says that he "used to think we were recession-proof" but that "this is different." The economy might also effect the business of selling rooftop seats near Wrigley Field, writes Nancy Armour of the Associated Press. Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated writes about the political stance that has Magglio Ordonez getting booed at the WBC. Scott Lauber of the Wilmington News Journal has excerpts from a press conference with Astros GM...
Continue Reading
By Tim Dierkes [October 31, 2008 at 2:25pm CST]
Links for Friday... The A's claimed infielder Joe Dillon off waivers from the Brewers. Dave Cameron criticizes the Royals' acquisition of Mike Jacobs. ESPN's Keith Law also panned the move, suggesting Jacobs was a non-tender candidate for the Marlins. Peter Abraham breaks down the different types of hot stove stories and sources. Derrick Goold looks at Ryan Howard's arbitration case. MLB.com's Chris Haft talked to various scouts about Matt Cain's trade value. Edgar Renteria hopes to remain in Detroit, saying "Next year, we are going to win everything." ESPN's Tim Kurkjian names his top ten offseason storylines. Ken Davidoff says...
Continue Reading
By Tim Dierkes [October 23, 2008 at 12:06pm CST]
Links for Thursday... If Curt Schilling does a half-season next year, he apparently will not model it after Roger Clemens' approach. Drunk Jays Fans discusses Ken Rosenthal's recent chat with J.P. Ricciardi. Richard Justice says some GMs complained privately that Ed Wade didn't do a good job letting teams know Brad Lidge was available last year. The Adam Dunn trade pushed the D'Backs a little over budget. They don't have much to spend this winter. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic elaborates on the topic. Dave Cameron looks at some free agent landmines, led by Manny Ramirez. The Giants voided...
Continue Reading