Ruben Amaro Jr.

Phillies Satisfied With Current Bench

By | April 12, 2009 at 9:52am CDT

According to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, the Phillies have no immediate plans to add another bench player.

"We're always looking to improve, but nothing is imminent," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Saturday. The Phils appear content with their current list of reserves, a group that consists of Greg Dobbs, Matt Stairs, Eric Bruntlett, Chris Coste and Miguel Cairo. Amaro was thought to be on the hunt for a right-handed hitter, but he'll apparently stand pat for now.

The Phillies, as you'll probably remember, were one of the first teams to express serious interest in Gary Sheffield before he signed with the Mets.

Phillies Still Eyeing Free Agents

By | February 25, 2009 at 7:03pm CDT

Contrary to some previous reports, the Phillies are still keeping an eye on several free agents. Todd Zolecki has the news over at MLB.com.

GM Ruben Amaro Jr. was asked if his club is still interested in Nomar Garciaparra. "If I were to handicap this thing," Amaro responded, "I would say less than 50 percent." It probably depends on the A’s interest. Phillies officials said last week that they have no desire to enter a bidding war with another team.

Amaro also said talks are "still open" with the representatives for left-handers Joe Beimel and Will Ohman. "But nothing has changed there," added the general manager. Both relievers are holding out for bigger and better offers. As Zolecki writes,

Amaro said a few days ago that those relievers would have to accept a very modest salary to join the Phillies. That likely means a contract worth less than $1 million.

Phillies Set Franchise Payroll Record

By | February 24, 2009 at 6:02pm CDT

According to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, the Phillies are looking at an Opening Day 25-man roster payroll of $132.5MM, a franchise record.

The Phils can expect an increase in merchandise and ticket sales after their 2008 World Series win, but the club might not have much of a budget for in-season acquisitions. Ryan Howard will command the highest salary from the Phillies in ’09 at $15MM. Brett Myers is second at $12MM.

Phillies Still Eyeing Right-Handed Bats

By Tim Dierkes | January 26, 2009 at 8:18pm CDT

8:18pm: Philadelphia’s search for a right-handed bat continues. Alden Gonzalez adds an update on MLB.com.

Names the Phillies have been linked to in that regard include Nomar Garciaparra, Ty Wigginton, Moises Alou, Rich Aurilia, Mark Grudzielanek and Kevin Millar, Gonzalez wrote.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told Gonzalez that the addition does “not necessarily” need to be an infielder, though a little insurance while Pedro Feliz and Chase Utley recover from offseason surgeries wouldn’t hurt.

“We’re looking for a guy that has a bit of that versatility that’s needed in the National League,” Amaro told Gonzalez.

Jan. 23: Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the latest on the Phillies’ pursuit of a right-handed bench bat. Names of interest: Nomar Garciaparra, Moises Alou, Mark Grudzielanek, Rich Aurilia, and Kevin Millar.

Salisbury says Garciaparra is the team’s first choice, but Ruben Amaro Jr. remarked, "We can’t be held hostage by Nomar, though he’d be a guy we’d like to bring in." Salisbury’s source says the Phils are going "pretty hard" after Alou, who will attempt to re-establish his health in the World Baseball Classic. Two issues there: Alou’s playing time expectations may be too high, and he reportedly prefers the AL where he can DH.

Odds and Ends: Tazawa, Young, Kouzmanoff

By Tim Dierkes | November 7, 2008 at 4:00pm CDT

Links for Friday. As always, I’ll update this post with more stuff so refresh later if you’re interested.

Nick Piecoro suggests catcher Miguel Montero could be the D’Backs’ best trade chip. Their needs will be second base and perhaps starting pitching.
The Marlins’ top priority is improving their defense.
Dave Cameron takes apart Scott Boras’ claim about Oliver Perez. If more of these client books leak out, Boras is going to have to hire Cameron to keep him quiet.
White Sox GM Ken Williams talked about adding speed from within, though Williams is notoriously unpredictable.
Two 19 year-old Indian men named Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel will try out in front of Major League scouts today after winning the Million Dollar Arm contest. The idea of the contest was to find raw talent among India’s huge population, kids who could hit 85mph consistently. The Red Sox and Indians are among the clubs in attendance.
The Phillies may be interested in Junichi Tazawa, though Ruben Amaro’s "We know of him" comment isn’t exactly an endorsement. The Indians, Yankees, and D’Backs will pass on Tazawa, who could command $7MM.
Also at NPB Tracker, a second Japanese club hopes to convince the Rangers to trade Nelson Cruz. Doesn’t make much sense for Texas.
Amaro is figuring out his front office; Chuck LaMar has been promoted to assistant GM.
Chris De Luca’s sources close to Bud Selig say there’s "zero chance" Bud and the owners let Mark Cuban buy the Cubs.
Baseball America has the full list of 561 minor league free agents. See anyone you like?
Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire looks at the notable waiver claims of the past few years.
Baseball Prospectus’ John Perrotto says the Twins are reportedly willing to trade Delmon Young to the Padres for Kevin Kouzmanoff.

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.

Amaro To Replace Gillick As Phillies GM?

By Tim Dierkes | October 27, 2008 at 12:11pm CDT

On Friday, SI.com’s Jon Heyman suggested Ruben Amaro Jr. was the most likely replacement for Pat Gillick as Phillies GM. Today, Todd Zolecki of the Philadelphia Inquirer hears from team insiders that Amaro (currently the assistant GM) is expected to get the job. The decision would likely be finalized before the November 3rd GM meetings.

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