Phils, Reds Considering Hermanson
According to Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Dustin Hermanson will throw for teams this week. It’s likely that the Phillies will have a look at the 34 year old reliever. Could be a sleeper for saves, for the fantasy baseball-minded. The Reds will watch him pitch as well.
Salisbury also says:
"Schilling wants a contract extension by opening day or he’ll test the free-agent market. Start those Phillies rumors."
Freddy Garcia and Jon Lieber will be free agents after the 2007 season, so the Phillies will have an opening. However, if this offseason is any indication, the Phils will have a tough time winning a bidding war.
Phils Sign Brett Myers
The Phillies gave Brett Myers a three-year deal today, buying out his first year of free agency. Why do good things happen to bad people?
The contract covers his age 27-29 seasons, and it’s a good deal for the Phillies. Our old friend PECOTA values him at $36.6MM over that same time period (of course, he wouldn’t have had full leverage for 2007-08). Myers and Cole Hamels will make a very solid 1-2 punch for the next three years.
Phils Sign Brett Myers
The Phillies gave Brett Myers a three-year deal today, buying out his first year of free agency. Why do good things happen to bad people?
The contract covers his age 27-29 seasons, and it’s a good deal for the Phillies. Our old friend PECOTA values him at $36.6MM over that same time period (of course, he wouldn’t have had full leverage for 2007-08). Myers and Cole Hamels will make a very solid 1-2 punch for the next three years.
More On Rowand/Linebrink
Internet rumor, eh? If there’s one term I’d like to retire, it’s "Internet rumor." It discredits the many legitimate Internet-based sources and generalizes the entire medium. Many rumors broke via the Internet this year (blogs included). In fact, most of them came via the Internet, courtsey of Ken Rosenthal. I’ve seen a lot of garbage in print, but don’t refer to them all as "newspaper rumors."
In this case, Paul Hagen doubts the legitimacy of a Buster Olney rumor that first appeared in Olney’s blog on January 26th. Olney reported that the Padres and Phillies were kicking around an Aaron Rowand for a reliever trade.
Anyway, Hagen creates a newspaper rumor, speculating that the Phils might entertain trading Rowand because they think they can acquire an outfielder for Jon Lieber. He also speculates that the Phils would send both Lieber and Rowand to San Diego for Mike Cameron or Terrmel Sledge. Now that’s one that "appears to make little sense."
More On Rowand/Linebrink
Internet rumor, eh? If there’s one term I’d like to retire, it’s "Internet rumor." It discredits the many legitimate Internet-based sources and generalizes the entire medium. Many rumors broke via the Internet this year (blogs included). In fact, most of them came via the Internet, courtsey of Ken Rosenthal. I’ve seen a lot of garbage in print, but don’t refer to them all as "newspaper rumors."
In this case, Paul Hagen doubts the legitimacy of a Buster Olney rumor that first appeared in Olney’s blog on January 26th. Olney reported that the Padres and Phillies were kicking around an Aaron Rowand for a reliever trade.
Anyway, Hagen creates a newspaper rumor, speculating that the Phils might entertain trading Rowand because they think they can acquire an outfielder for Jon Lieber. He also speculates that the Phils would send both Lieber and Rowand to San Diego for Mike Cameron or Terrmel Sledge. Now that’s one that "appears to make little sense."
Linebrink/Rowand Trade On Hold
Buster Olney mentioned a possible trade of Aaron Rowand to the Padres for a reliever back on January 26th. Turns out the targeted reliever for the Phils was indeed Scott Linebrink. However, any such deal is on hold until springtime. Kevin Towers would like to see how Terrmel Sledge looks in left and how the loss of Linebrink would affect San Diego’s bullpen.
I say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I think a Sledge/Cruz platoon could outhit Rowand for a lesser cost. And is the difference in defense in left field that crucial? David Wells and Chris Young typically don’t go six innings; I’d rather retain one of the league’s better eighth-inning guys.
White Sox Keen On Rowand?
The Philadelphia Inquirer mentioned today that Aaron Rowand remains a favorite of White Sox management. According to the paper, the Sox are expected to try to sign him as a free agent after 2007. Of course, Kenny Williams and Pat Gillick seem to get along well these days, so a deal could be struck. On the other hand, Ryan Sweeney or Brian Anderson could be a solid center fielder by 2008 for the league minimum.
Two days ago, Buster Olney mentioned that the Padres were kicking around the idea of sending a reliever to Philly for Rowand.
Utley Gets Seven Year Extension
Chase Utley agreed to a seven-year, $85MM contract with the Phillies today. It buys out three arbitration years and keeps him a Phillie through 2013. The deal covers Utley’s age 28-34 seasons.
PECOTA compares him to the 1985 version of former Blue Jay Willie Upshaw. Upshaw was finished at 31, however. A few other comps on his list include Ryne Sandberg, Lou Whitaker, and Alan Trammell. PECOTA only has the next five seasons projected, but it says Utley is worth $95 million over those seasons alone.
Jays Offered Rios For Myers, Billingsley
According to Ken Rosenthal’s latest column, the Blue Jays wanted either Brett Myers or Chad Billingsley plus Matt Kemp or Jonathan Broxton in return for right fielder Alex Rios. Both clubs are known for their current starting pitching surpluses; the Phils actually have the need for an outfielder.
Not too many teams are looking to unload an AL-East-ready starter, so the Jays might have to lower their expectations. Plenty of teams could make room for Rios as a right or center fielder.
Reds Acquire Jeff Conine
According to Marc Lancaster, the Reds have acquired 40 year-old outfielder Jeff Conine from the Phillies. I guess he was expendable given the Phils’ acquisition of Jayson Werth.
Conine is owed $2MM in 2007. He joins a crowded Reds outfield that already contains Adam Dunn, Chris Denorfia, Ken Griffey Jr., and Ryan Freel. Oh, and they have to fit Josh Hamilton in there all year if they want to keep him.
Perhaps Conine will team with Scott Hatteberg at first base and face lefties. Though Conine’s .269/.352/.419 line against southpaws the last three seasons doesn’t blow anyone away.