Chan Ho Park Rumors

Phillies Notes: Free Agent Targets, Park, Eyre

Scott Lauber of The News Journal spoke to Philadelphia Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. today about some of the team's offseason plans. Here are a few of the highlights from Lauber's article: The Phillies' offseason wishlist: a third baseman, bullpen help, bench depth, and starting pitching depth. The team expects to have about $120MM committed in salaries and $20MM to spend to fill their needs. Amaro Jr. doesn't comment on specific free agents he's interested in, but Lauber suggests Mark DeRosa and Placido Polanco are still the club's top targets. The "greatest challenge" Amaro Jr. will face in attempting to...   Continue Reading

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Morning Links: Red Sox, Phillies, Rays

Plenty to absorb this morning, baseball fans: The Red Sox have asked the Braves for medical records of free agent relievers Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano, according to George King of the New York Post. WEEI.com also notes that catcher George Kottaras has been released. Chan Ho Park wants to be a starter, while the Phillies, most other teams, and the results on the field see him as a reliever. Todd Zolecki also writes about why he's not surprised that the Phillies are considered by many to be the front runners to land Mark DeRosa. DRaysBay.com evaluates whether the Rays...   Continue Reading

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Phillies Free Agent Notes

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki runs down the Phillies offseason, looking at how the club is planning to improve coming off back-to-back World Series appearances. Here's some highlights: The Phillies are looking to upgrade at third base, as we've heard before. Chone Figgins figures to be too expensive for their liking, and they'll look for a shorter, more affordable contract. Zolecki names the same possibilities we heard earlier in the week: Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa, and Placido Polanco. Philadelphia has interest in Fernando Rodney, but it may not be mutual, as Rodney likely would prefer a team with whom he can close....   Continue Reading

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Phillies' Third Base Targets

The Phillies have Placido Polanco, Mark DeRosa, and Adrian Beltre on their third base wish list, according to sources speaking to Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Salisbury adds that Chone Figgins and Miguel Tejada are also of interest, but to a lesser degree. Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told Salisbury he'd "rather do something early," but doesn't see that happening. DeRosa signed early with the Cubs three years ago, specifically on November 14th. Salisbury debates the merits of Polanco, DeRosa, and Beltre in his column. Which do you prefer? By the way, ESPN's Jayson Stark finds Figgins an unrealistic...   Continue Reading

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Phillies Notes: Myers, Stairs, Eyre, Park

4:32pm: MLB.com's Todd Zolecki tweets more info on the Phillies. He says that if Matt Stairs returns, it would be a minor league deal. The team will wait to see how Scott Eyre's elbow surgery turns out. And they've contacted Chan Ho Park's agent about a possible new contract. 1:33pm: Pitcher Brett Myers was told today by Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. that the team will not pursue a new contract with him, according to Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Myers told Salisbury he's open to starting or relieving with his new club. Myers, 29, posted a 4.84 ERA...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: White Sox, Phillies, A's

Only a handful of games on the schedule tonight, but here are some links to make up for it.... White Sox GM Ken Williams is let down by his team's performance this season, according to Chris De Luca of The Chicago Sun-Times. Players like Jake Peavy and Alex Rios were acquired with more than just 2009 in mind, but the Sox still hoped to earn a playoff spot in a weak division this year. Dave Cameron at FanGraphs and Rob Neyer at ESPN.com point out that the White Sox didn't underachieve, but rather performed almost exactly as expected. Whether Williams'...   Continue Reading

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Phillies Bullpen Update

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki notes that the Phillies still have a few holes in their bullpen. The club has expressed interest in Joe Beimel, Will Ohman, and Randy Flores this offseason, but those guys are still seeking relatively expensive (and lengthy) contracts. "They're looking for the multiyear deals," GM Ruben Amaro said Wednesday. "It's more an issue of length than dollars, I think." Zolecki believes that the Phillies may ultimately decide to solve their bullpen issues from within. Chan Ho Park could make for a useful long reliever if he's unable to crack the starting rotation. Kyle Kendrick and J.A. Happ...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Saito, Teixeira, LaRoche

More Tuesday links... Over at RotoAuthority, David Chase examines more of the optimistic Spring Training reports of '08. Particularly interesting: did pitchers follow up on their intention to use a new pitch? The Marlins' Scott Proctor signing is official. Also, Chan Ho Park with the Phillies. Carl Pohlad's three sons will take over for their father. McCovey Chronicles trade idea: Randy Winn for Xavier Nady. Add Randy Choate to the minor league deals for the Rays. Economist J.C. Bradbury says "the economic downturn cannot explain the magnitude of Pat Burrell's discount." He believes teams are exaggerating the recession effect. Keith...   Continue Reading

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Phillies Sign Chan Ho Park

MONDAY: David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News says Park held a press conference in Korea today to announce his signing with the Phillies. It's a one-year, $2.5MM deal with up to $5MM in incentives, according to the Korea Times. Park relishes the chance to start for the Phils. He said the Giants, Diamondbacks, Royals, and Blue Jays also expressed interest. With Park signing as a starter, where does that leave Jamie Moyer? The Phillies still have one unsettled rotation spot, though this may reduce their urgency. THURSDAY: Todd Zolecki says the Phillies "are working on hammering out a deal...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Hoyer, Denker, Manny

Links for Monday... Baseball America ranks the teams by their total draft expenditures. The Royals spent over $11MM, leading the pack. SI's Tom Verducci talked to one "club pitching expert" who considers free agent Chan Ho Park a sleeper starter for next year. MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan figures a long-term extension for Josh Hamilton will be a top priority for the Rangers this winter. Sullivan also has a note about Jake Peavy only wanting to go to an NL team, despite the recent article about Peavy being open to three AL clubs. Red Sox assistant GM Jed Hoyer turned down a...   Continue Reading

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