Phillies Rumors

Phillies’ Offseason Agenda

By Tim Dierkes | November 3, 2008 at 11:13am CDT

12:47pm: Scott Lauber has the latest from the Amaro press conference.

Manny Ramirez seems unlikely as a left field solution. Execs surveyed by Jerry Crasnick felt the same.
Burrell switched to a Philly-based agent, and talks will begin soon with the Phillies.
Pat Gillick will remain with the Phillies as a paid consultant.

11:13am: The Phillies locked up Ruben Amaro Jr. as their GM through 2011. Items on his to-do list:

Left fielder Pat Burrell could be back if he accepts a two-year deal. Otherwise, the Phils will kick the tires on Manny Ramirez, Matt Holliday, and Magglio Ordonez. Jim Salisbury also notes that the Phillies have long liked Rocco Baldelli. They’ve also been linked to Garrett Atkins.
Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard are in for large raises through arbitration; Amaro may attempt to sign them long-term.
Salisbury sees free agent lefties Jamie Moyer and Scott Eyre re-signing. Scott Lauber suggests the Phils don’t want to go beyond one year for Moyer, though.
The team had a $104MM payroll in ’08, and that is expected to increase.
The Phillies (along with the Tigers and Nationals) have interest in free agent utility man Pete Orr.

Phillies Announce Amaro As New GM

By Tim Dierkes | November 3, 2008 at 9:22am CDT

In a news conference this morning, the Phillies announced Ruben Amaro Jr. as their new GM. He received a three-year contract. He beat out player development exec Mike Arbuckle, who resigned. On the docket for Amaro: ten potential arbitration cases and key free agents like Pat Burrell and Jamie Moyer.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Peavy, Burnett, Sabathia

By Tim Dierkes | November 3, 2008 at 8:31am CDT

Let’s take a look at the latest column from Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports.

Don’t look for a Jake Peavy trade this week at the GM meetings, as the Padres haven’t found a match with Peavy’s five preferred teams.
A.J. Burnett’s agent should announce his client’s decision to opt out today. Rosenthal notes Burnett’s preference to sign near his Maryland home, with the Yankees and Red Sox as the most realistic possibilities.
Rosenthal believes the Brewers offered C.C. Sabathia $100MM over five years (rather than four). The Brewers can say they tried, but no one expects Sabathia to settle so far below his market value. Also, the Brewers will decide today on Mike Cameron’s $10MM option.
The Phillies’ areas of uncertainty: GM, left field, fifth starter.

Odds & Ends: Amaro, Marte, Griffey

By Nat Boyle | November 2, 2008 at 8:42am CDT

Some Odds & Ends to begin the day:

The Phillies are expected to announce Ruben Amaro Jr. as their next General Manager on Monday. Says Ken Mandel of MLB.com, "Amaro, 43, served as a batboy for the Phillies from 1980-83, and played for the Phillies from 1992-93 and 1996-98. He moved into the front office after retiring as a player." As the clubs Assistant General Manager, he’s been the heir apparent to the 71-year-old Pat Gillick as GM.
The Yankees are expected to decline Damaso Marte’s $6MM option, according to George King III of the New York Post. Marte made $2MM this year and the Yankees are opting to buy him out for $250,000. I expect them to make an attempt to sign him to a new contract but no details yet.
Larry Stone of the Seattle Times says Ken Griffey Jr. is open to returing to Seattle. No comment from M’s new GM Jack Zduriencik.

Odds And Ends: Miller, Ngoepe, Moss, Perez, Phillies

By Coley Ward 2 | November 1, 2008 at 2:13pm CDT

Here are some crumbs from the trade rumor loaf:

Justin Miller, who spent the past two seasons working out of the Marlins bullpen, has reached agreement on a Minor League contract with the Giants.
The Pirates signed an 18-year-old shortstop from South Africa, Mpho Ngoepe, a switch-hitting shortstop who made a cameo appearance in the recent Instructional League in Bradenton, Fla.
The Mariners have signed center fielder Steve Moss to a minor league contact. Moss, 24, was a 2002 draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers, taken right out of high school. Last year, he batted .299 for the Long Beach Armada and was, according to his manager, ex-Mariner Steve Yeager, the best center fielder in the league.
Umpbump’s Paul Moro says teams should be wary of Oliver Perez, whose ERA has benefitted from the Mets’ above average defense.
The team that wins the World Series always cashes in. Will the Phillies have more money to spend this offseason as a result of their championship? And if so, will they spend it on Japanese free-agent pitcher Junichi Tazawa, or on free agent Pat Burrell?

Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com. He can be reached here.

Moyer Wants To Stay With Phillies

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 1, 2008 at 10:00am CDT

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Todd Zolecki, Jamie Moyer wants to help the Phillies defend their title next year.

Moyer said that he hasn’t spoken with the Phillies about returning, but he’s optimistic about his chances of playing in Philadelphia in 2009. The Phillies have a core of Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, and Joe Blanton under control for ’09.

This year, Moyer had an ERA of 3.71 in nearly 200 regular season innings before pitching well in the World Series.

Options Declined: Taguchi, Gordon, Counsell, Embree

By Tim Dierkes | October 31, 2008 at 5:23pm CDT

Alright, time to lump today’s remaining options together in one post.

The Pirates declined Jason Michaels’ $2.6MM option. He could re-sign for less.
The Phillies declined their options on So Taguchi ($1.25MM with a $150K buyout) and Tom Gordon ($4.5MM with a $1MM buyout). The moves may have been Pat Gillick’s last as GM.
The Brewers declined Craig Counsell’s $3.4MM option, paying a $400K buyout.
The Athletics declined Alan Embree’s $3MM option. As a Type B free agent, the A’s could offer him arbitration. Susan Slusser spoke to Embree, who didn’t mind having the option declined.

Odds and Ends: Jacobs, Howard, Renteria

By Tim Dierkes | October 31, 2008 at 2:25pm CDT

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 the Mets were interested in Brad Lidge last year, but the Astros’ asking price was too high.
Joel Sherman debates the merits of a Luis Castillo–Andruw Jones swap while stressing that no such deal is actually being discussed.
The 2008 Fielding Bible awards are out.

What’s Next For Pat Burrell?

By Tim Dierkes | October 31, 2008 at 8:37am CDT

FRIDAY: Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Inquirer says Burrell "reportedly turned down a two-year, $22MM offer" from the Phillies.

THURSDAY: Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell gave a few comments to Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer last night. He suggested his future is in the Phillies’ hands, not his. I’m not sure what that means, since it’s really up to both parties. Chances are the Phillies will stick to a two-year offer and Burrell will leave. He earned $14MM in 2008.

Burrell, 32, hit .250/.367/.507 in 645 plate appearances this year. He hit 33 home runs and drew 102 walks. Burrell trailed off, hitting .191/.295/.365 over the season’s final two months. He was a liability in left field, costing the Phillies 20 bases compared to the average left fielder.

Burrell has his flaws, but he is one of the top OBP/power sources on the free agent market. Any ideas on potential suitors? The Angels, Royals, Blue Jays, A’s, Rays, Braves, Mets, Reds, and Giants could be involved depending on the price.

Odds and Ends: Myers, Crede, Giants

By Tim Dierkes | October 29, 2008 at 11:23am CDT

Links for Wednesday…

The Brewers snagged infielder Casey McGehee off waivers from the Cubs. The Crew also designated Joe Dillon for assignment.
The Reds signed 16 year-old lefty Ismael Guillon out of Venezuela.
MLB.com’s Marty Noble discusses the Mets and impending free agents Oliver Perez and Pedro Martinez. The Mets will entertain re-signing Perez at their price, but they’ll let Pedro leave. Any guesses on where he pitches next year?
Joe Pawlikowski at River Ave. Blues would like the Yankees to sign free agent outfielder Juan Rivera. Brian Cashman traded Rivera, Randy Choate, and Nick Johnson to the Expos for Javier Vazquez back in 2003.
Brett Myers never wants to pitch in Boston again.
Two more free agent bargains from Dave Cameron: Joe Crede and Dave Ross. Crede would be a solid one-year signing for the Dodgers or Twins.
South Side Sox doesn’t see the White Sox adding much else for second base. There goes my Ray Durham idea.
El Lefty Malo examines the latest Giants rumors.
J.C. Bradbury provides values for Vladimir Guerrero, John Lackey, and Garret Anderson.

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