The Boston Globe is reporting that two teams have made an offer to free agent pitcher Derek Lowe. While the first team is unknown (although it’s neither the Yankees nor Red Sox), the second team has been confirmed as the Phillies. No terms of the offer have been released.
While part of me doubts the Phillies would actually be willing to give Lowe the type of contract he’s looking for, he would be an excellent fit on the Phillies. He’s a sinkerball pitcher, who predominantly gives up ground balls, and has only allowed 156 career home runs in 1940 innings.
Ruben Amaro has stated that pitching is a priority this offseason, but it will be interesting to see what happens with Jamie Moyer should the Phillies sign Lowe.
Danny Briere’s injury-plagued season continues. After missing nine games with a groin tear the All-Star center’s comeback only last a period and a half as he exited Tuesday game with another groin injury.
Initially it was thought Briere just tore some scar tissue and would be okay, but after yesterday’s MRI it was revealed that Briere has suffered a new groin tear. Well sort of. According to doctors this injury has been around since the beginning of the season but went undetected. The doctors said it wasn’t a matter of if the groin would tear, but when and is responsible for Briere’s initial abdomen injury earlier this season.
Briere will be out of action for a minimum of 4-5 weeks, while the groin heals.
As a result Briere has been put on the long-term injury list, meaning his $6.5 million salary will not count against the cap. With Ryan Parent and Randy Jones ready to return in the next couple weeks, it …
Now that teams know they won’t need to give up a draft pick, suitors are starting to line up for Pat Burrell. Reports are the Angels, Mariners, and Giants all have interest in the 32 year-old free agent.
All three of these teams could use a bat like Burrell, but the best fit might be the Giants. Burrell is originally from Northern California, and it would guarantee he would be the everyday leftfielder. Burrell has stated numerous times that he doesn’t have a desire to DH and in the American League, that’s where he’d most likely play. Should this happen Burrell would join former Phillie Aaron Rowand as the Giants would have two-thirds of the Phillies 2007 outfield.
For those of you who don’t know, the days of Pat Burrell patrolling left field for the Phillies are all but over.
This Week in Baseball is holding their annual This Year In Baseball Awards and the Phillies have their share of nominees (although I think there may have been some snubs).
Best Hitter – Ryan Howard
Best Manager – Charlie Manuel
Best Closer – Brad Lidge
Best Executive – Pat Gillick
Best Postseason Moment – Lidge saves Game 5
Best Postseason Moment – Carlos Ruiz’s Game 3 winning hit
Best Postseason Moment – Chase Utley cuts down Jason Barlett at home in Game 5
Best Postseason Moment – Matt Stairs pinch hit home run against the Dodger
Unlike most baseball awards, this one is decided by the fans, so click here and support the Phillies. Voting is open until December 8th and there’s no limit to the amount of times you can vote, so let’s help the Phillies win some additional postseason awards.
When Philadelphians awoke yesterday morning and opened their copies of the Daily News or Inquirer, many were surprised to see that the Phillies didn’t offer arbitration to Jaime Moyer or Pat Burrell. Some people reacted angrily, thinking it meant that two key cogs on the 2008 World Championship team would not be returning, some were frustrated, and some just didn’t care.
I myself was surprised. While I didn’t take the angry road, I thought it was the first stupid move of the Ruben Amaro Era. I figured Moyer would return regardless, and other teams might shy away from him if it meant sacrificing a first round draft pick for a 46 year-old pitcher. As far as Burrell, my assumption was that he’ll get the multi-year deal he’s looking for and given his age the odds of him accepting arbitration would be remote. Even if the Phillies have no intention of re-signing him (which has become obvious), they would at least receive …
Former Phillies right fielder Bobby Abreu was not offered arbitration by the Yankees, hinting that he will not return to the Bronx next season. Abreu came to the Phillies in 1998 for shortstop Kevin Stocker, and had eight strong seasons in the City of Brotherly Love. While Abreu was an offensive machine averaging 23 home runs and 107 RBI’s, he defense was sub par (due to his fear of the wall among other things), and his carefree attitude turned the fans against him.
His attitude didn’t just sour the fans, but also soured the clubhouse. Abreu was dealt to the Yankees along with the late Cory Lidle for Matt Smith, CJ Henry, Jesus Sanchez, and Carlos Monastrios on July 30, 2006. At the time of the trade the Phillies were 49-54, 13.5 games behind the Mets. The Phillies went 36-23 without Abreu (using a platoon of Jeff Conine, David Dellucci, & Shane Victorino) to finsh the season at 85-77. This was Pat Gillick’s first big trade …
Ken Mandel is reporting the Phillies are looking at Mark Loretta as a potential offseason addition. Loretta, a career .297 hitter, spent last season with the Houston Astros where he hit .280 in 101 games at all four infield positions.
Loretta would be an interesting acquisition. Although his best days are behind him (he’s 36), he would be a solid addition to the Phillies bench. He’d be a better option at second base then Eric Bruntlett or Nick Punto (another free agent target), if Chase Utley isn’t ready by opening day, is a career .307 (.330 in 2008), hitter against left-handed pitching, and hits a career .275 off the bench (.367 in 2008).
Loretta is the kind of role player that could thrive under Charlie Manuel.
All-Time stolen base leader Rickey Henderson headlines this years Hall of Fame ballot. Henderson’s career spanned 25 years (from 1979-2003) with the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, Anaheim Angels, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished with 3,055 hits, 2,295 runs, 297 home runs, and 1,406 stolen bases. Henderson defined what the modern day leadoff batter is; a combination of power and speed. His 81 leadoff home runs is still a Major League record.
Also on the ballot was former Phillies pitcher Dan Plesac and outfielder Ron Gant. Plesac finished his career in 2003 where he went 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA. He was also on the mound for the final out at Veterans Stadium. Plesac pitched for six teams in his 18 year career and finished with a career mark of 65-71 with a 3.64 ERA and 158 saves. Gant spent a season-and-a-half in …
All is still quiet on the Phillies front, but expect some sort of news today, as the deadline to offer free agents arbitration approaches. The Phillies have just under seven hours to offer Jamie Moyer and Pat Burrell arbitration or the Phillies will not be compensated should they sign a deal with another team. Since both players are “Type A” free agents, the Phillies would be losing out on two high draft picks (a sandwich pick and a first or second, depending on the record of the team), if arbitration is not offered.
Moyer isn’t a real concern. It’s a guarantee he’ll be offered arbitration. The Phillies still hope to bring him back, so there would be no risk should he accept the arbitration (although he’s looking for a multi-year deal). It also may sway other teams from signing the 46 year-old free agent. In an era where teams value their farm systems, not many teams will want to part …
The Milwaukee Brewers have signed former Phillie RJ Swindle. Swindle was signed by the Phillies in 2007 after spending a majority of the season with the Newark Bears. Armed with pinpoint control and a 55 mph curveball Swindle began the 2008 season with Reading and after posting 0.54 ERA in 11 appearances was promoted to Lehigh Valley. He continued to impress at Triple A, posting a 1.98 ERA and striking out an impressive 51 batters in 36 innings. More impressive he only walked 7 over that span.
I remember during the season monitoring Swindle’s progress and looked forward to see him making his major league debut. That day came on July 7th and it’s a vivid memory in my head. It was on of Adam Eaton’s final starts of the season. Eaton failed to get out of the third inning and put the Phillies in a quick 8-0 hole. In the top of the sixth inning with the score 8-1 Swindle was called from …
Phillies.com beat writer Ken Mandel is reporting the Phillies are close to announcing a multiyear deal with Jamie Moyer. Some rumors have circulated that both parties are interested but have had some scheduling difficulties, but Mandel is saying sources close to the Phillies that the deal is almost completed, it’s just a matter of the Phillies announcing the signing.
It’s been assumed Moyer would return, and once this becomes official it’s a big signing for the Phillies. For most the signing for a 46-year old pitcher isn’t much, but Moyer pitched like the Phillies #2 pitcher last summer and the knowledge he passes off to Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick, and J.A. Happ is invaluable.
As for Pat Burrell it doesn’t appear to be as promising. Scott Lauber is reporting that the most the Phillies will offer Burrell in terms of years is two. Given his defensive issues …
Chase Utley had hip surgery yesterday at The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, and according to Ruben Amaro Jr. the surgery appears to be “favorable”. Anytime a surgery takes place, it’s not known if it’s an actual success until rehabilitation begins, but all signs right now are pointing to Utley being on the mend.
Utley’s return to the baseball field is now anywhere from 4-6 months. Given that time frame, while there’s a chance Utley might be ready for Opening Day, odds are he will not, meaning who will be the Phillies Opening Day second baseman?
Eric Bruntlett – Bruntlett could have to be the logical choice, especially if what the front office says is true, that they will not bring in a second baseman regardless that Utley might miss the beginning of the season. Bruntlett wasn’t spectacular for the Phillies last season batting .220 in limited action (mostly as a late inning …
