Philadelphia Phillies Rumors
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 20, 2009 at 2:04pm CST]
Robb Quinlan's representatives say the utility man has drawn interest from two National League teams and one American League team, according to MLB.com's Lyle Spencer. The Phillies are known to be looking for bench help and Spencer suggests the Twins could be a fit, too. We heard earlier in the week that Quinlan will not be back in Anaheim next year. The 32-year-old hit .243/.275/.339 last year, spending some time at all four corner positions. He posted an .836 OPS as recently as 2006, but teams may be wary of Quinlan's questionable defense and fading contact skills. He has a...
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By Luke Adams [November 19, 2009 at 6:26pm CST]
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...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 19, 2009 at 2:18pm CST]
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark responds to some of Scott Boras' recent comments before providing some rumors in his latest Rumblings and Grumblings column: The Rays, Rangers and Jays appear to be the three likeliest landing spots for Milton Bradley. The Cubs say they don't want to eat much of the $21MM remaining on Bradley's contract, so a bad contract swap still seems possible. Stark hears that the Marlins were in serious trade talks with the Giants and Rangers about Dan Uggla. There's no indication that the Yankees are in on Jason Bay or Matt Holliday at this point. The Yanks figure...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 19, 2009 at 10:46am CST]
Some links to read through on Ryan Howard's 30th birthday... The White Sox would like to add a true leadoff man and are open to bringing back Jim Thome, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. MLB.com's Todd Zolecki says the Phillies aren't considered serious contenders for free agent Chone Figgins. MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez reports that the Marlins may spend on a corner outfielder, a second baseman or a third baseman if they free up some payroll by trading Dan Uggla. Jamey Carroll is one of the many free agents the Marlins would consider. The Brewers are open to bringing Craig Counsell...
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By Howard Megdal [November 18, 2009 at 11:57am CST]
Jon Heyman's latest column begins with this simple declaration: "The Yankees recently called the Blue Jays to express interest in superstar pitcher Roy Halladay." And Heyman points out the change in administrations in Toronto- from J.P. Ricciardi to Alex Anthopoulos- means an in-division trade is no longer out of the question. Heyman also points out that with Halladay seeking a big payday from whoever acquires him, the suitors for his services could quickly dwindle to the precious few big-market teams who can afford to pay him long-term. He lists the Yankees as option 1, the Red Sox as option 1A...
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By Howard Megdal [November 18, 2009 at 10:38am CST]
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...
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By Mark Polishuk [November 17, 2009 at 10:24pm CST]
You could hardly think of two more dissimilar players than Omar Vizquel and Nick Johnson, but Evan Brunell of The Hardball Times took a look at where these two free agents may end up playing in 2010. First, Vizquel. Brunell thinks that Vizquel's desire to play for a higher-profile club than Texas may stem from the fact that playing for a big-market team may improve Vizquel's chances of being voted into the Hall of Fame when his career is over. There's also the fact that the 42-year-old shortstop would no doubt love to get another chance at a World Series...
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By Mike Axisa [November 17, 2009 at 4:48pm CST]
Here's another collection of links... Larry LaRue of The News Tribune writes about why you shouldn't get your hopes up about Seattle landing John Lackey, if you're a Mariners fan. Andy Martino of The Philadephia Inquirer says that it's clear the Phillies want to add a free agent reliever or two, although GM Ruben Amaro said that Scott Eyre "may have priced himself out of our range.” The Mets have to balance two different sets of priorities this offseason, writes Ben Shpigel of The NY Times. As The KC Star's Bob Dutton notes, today's AL Cy Young Award win triggered...
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By Mike Axisa [November 17, 2009 at 11:55am CST]
A few links to start the day... Andy Martino of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweets that the Phillies will prioritze defensive versatility over power when filling Matt Stairs' roster spot, though Stairs, Miguel Cairo, and Paul Bako are welcome to come to Spring Training on minor league deals. Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com has an update on the Orioles' negotations with Mark Hendrickson. Last month we learned that Hendrickson hoped to re-sign quickly. ESPN's Keith Law wrote about players coming off injury, and notes that Ben Sheets is worth gambling on, considering his upside. Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com...
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By Howard Megdal [November 16, 2009 at 8:50pm CST]
There's no such thing as an offseason- just different kinds of on-seasons. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com believes the Phillies will find a replacement for Eric Bruntlett among John McDonald, Omar Vizquel, Jamey Carroll, Ronnie Belliard and Juan Uribe. According to Scott Olsen, arbitration-eligible member of the Washington Nationals (for now, anyway), his shoulder is now 100 percent. Larry Stone of the Seattle Times discusses how Edwin Jackson, Curtis Granderson, and John Lackey would look in Seattle. Tyler Hissey at Around the Majors talks Yankees' roster strategy. Dave Cameron tells us which minor league free agents are most worth pursuing, including...
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