Only some 60 odd days til Spring Training, wooohooo!!
Well we've already begun to make some changes, the biggest one coming just about 12 hours ago, earlier on Thursday afternoon with the bringing back of Placido Polanco into the fold to (hopefully) improve our 3rd base situation. 3yrs/$18M, with a player option on the 4th year. I'll admit while there's plenty I like about Poly's return, I do think that was for maybe a little pricier than it needed to be. Feliz may indeed be superior defensively, but not significantly so, and Poly's an incredibly disciplined hitter, being one of the hardest in the majors to strike out. Word is he will presumably resume his old #2 spot in the lineup behind Rollins, meaning Victorino will likely slide down to 6th, where he's got some experience already.
The other two signings I can cite are each minor ones, with our backup catcher slot (Paul Bako since removed) being taken by NL East vet Brian Schneider at 2yrs/$2.75M. And the heir apparent to Eric Bruntlett's utility infielder throne, Juan Castro was officially signed to a 1yr deal, it wasn't published how much but I'm guessing absolutely no more than $1M, at best. 37 years old, I personally don't see this as being much of an improvement over Bruntlett The Bearded Wonder, but oh well.
Bullpen arms Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre were each not offered salary arbitration. Which, granted there's plenty I don't understand about the economics of baseball, but I was a little surprised this was the case with each. As Amaro has pointed out however, doesn't mean they can't still return. I realize there's the whole retirement issue with Eyre, but alright with Park with how well he wound up pitching in relief for us, I'd of thought we'd be all over securing him. Not to some significant multi-year deal of course, but at least for one.
And lastly, courtesy of Todd Zolecki via MLB.com, his take on the Phils priority list going into the Winter Meetings in Indy.
Quote:
Club needs:
BULLPEN: The Phillies have Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero under contract for next season. Chad Durbin and Clay Condrey are arbitration-eligible, so for the moment, they are in the bullpen. The Phils are interested in bringing back Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre, despite the fact the club did not offer salary arbitration to either free agent. If Park and Eyre don't re-sign, Philadelphia will have to find help elsewhere.
ROTATION: The Phillies would like to add some depth to the rotation, but it won't be anybody like John Lackey. It is more likely to be a sixth-year free agent, somebody who might start the season in Triple-A, or a low-risk, high-reward pitcher. The Phillies have expressed interest in John Smoltz, but one source said Smoltz's asking price might be too high. Smoltz also has been critical of Citizens Bank Park in the past, but a second source said that would not be an issue.
BENCH: The Phillies have Ben Francisco, Greg Dobbs, Brian Schneider and Juan Castro (assuming Castro passed his physical on Thursday) locked up. That leaves one bench spot. Amaro wants versatility. It would seem an ability to play outfield is a must.
Who they can or need to trade:
If the Phillies get help it is unlikely to come from a trade, unless the asking price for Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay drops.
Top prospects:
OF Domonic Brown, RHP Kyle Drabek, OF Michael Taylor, C Travis D'Arnaud and OF Anthony Gose.
Big contracts they might unload:
None.
Arbitration-eligible:
RHPs Joe Blanton, Condrey, Durbin, C Carlos Ruiz and CF Shane Victorino.
Non-tender candidates:
Blanton, Ruiz and Victorino are locks to return. Durbin seems likely. Condrey's future could depend on what happens with the rest of the bullpen.
Payroll summation:
The Phils could have a franchise-record payroll to open the 2010 season. They already have more than $110 million committed to 14 players. That does not include significant raises expected for Blanton ($5.475 million last season), Victorino ($3.125 million last season) and Ruiz ($475,000 last season), or the additions the Phillies must make to the bullpen. It is unknown how much Amaro has to spend, but it seems to be in the $140 million range.
BULLPEN: The Phillies have Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero under contract for next season. Chad Durbin and Clay Condrey are arbitration-eligible, so for the moment, they are in the bullpen. The Phils are interested in bringing back Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre, despite the fact the club did not offer salary arbitration to either free agent. If Park and Eyre don't re-sign, Philadelphia will have to find help elsewhere.
ROTATION: The Phillies would like to add some depth to the rotation, but it won't be anybody like John Lackey. It is more likely to be a sixth-year free agent, somebody who might start the season in Triple-A, or a low-risk, high-reward pitcher. The Phillies have expressed interest in John Smoltz, but one source said Smoltz's asking price might be too high. Smoltz also has been critical of Citizens Bank Park in the past, but a second source said that would not be an issue.
BENCH: The Phillies have Ben Francisco, Greg Dobbs, Brian Schneider and Juan Castro (assuming Castro passed his physical on Thursday) locked up. That leaves one bench spot. Amaro wants versatility. It would seem an ability to play outfield is a must.
Who they can or need to trade:
If the Phillies get help it is unlikely to come from a trade, unless the asking price for Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay drops.
Top prospects:
OF Domonic Brown, RHP Kyle Drabek, OF Michael Taylor, C Travis D'Arnaud and OF Anthony Gose.
Big contracts they might unload:
None.
Arbitration-eligible:
RHPs Joe Blanton, Condrey, Durbin, C Carlos Ruiz and CF Shane Victorino.
Non-tender candidates:
Blanton, Ruiz and Victorino are locks to return. Durbin seems likely. Condrey's future could depend on what happens with the rest of the bullpen.
Payroll summation:
The Phils could have a franchise-record payroll to open the 2010 season. They already have more than $110 million committed to 14 players. That does not include significant raises expected for Blanton ($5.475 million last season), Victorino ($3.125 million last season) and Ruiz ($475,000 last season), or the additions the Phillies must make to the bullpen. It is unknown how much Amaro has to spend, but it seems to be in the $140 million range.
