The NFL off season has been one that has left Eagles fans feeling disgruntled. They let defensive leader Brian Dawkins walk away, as he signed with Denver. They never made a serious run at T.J. Houshmanzadeh, who aside from being the best free agent wide receiver available, made it clear he wanted to play in Philadelphia. And there was that charade with Shawn Springs, who hosted a press conference here in Philadelphia, only to sign with the Patriots.
Well the Eagles front office has finally taken a step in the right direction signing free agent safety Sean Jones to a one-year contract. Jones was a 2004 second-round pick out of Georgia and has spent his entire career with the Cleveland Browns. He emerged as a starter for the Browns in 2006 and had five interceptions. He followed that up with another five in 2007. Last season Jones had four interceptions, despite missing four games.
Like most Eagles signings there’s a catch. Jones missed the first four games of …
Chase Utley isn’t the only Phillies infielder recovering from surgery. Third baseman Pedro Feliz, who had back surgery on November 20th, is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut in 10 days.
Feliz dealt with an ailing back most of last season and it even landed him on the disabled list toward the end of last summer. His offensive production was obviously effected finishing with career-low 14 home runs and 58 RBIs (since he became an every day player).
The third baseman was initially though to be ready by the opening of camp, but his back didn’t cooperate. Rumors began to surface Feliz wouldn’t be ready for Opening Day.
Well those rumors aren’t likely.
Feliz took live batting practice for the first time on Thursday and yesterday felt no ill effects from his back (when asked how his back felt his actual quote was “Bueno”).
He will continue to batting practice and if there are no setbacks he’ll begin to do a little fielding, before seeing actual game action.
With the top story in baseball being the debate whether or not Alex Rodriguez should have surgery to repair a labrum tear in his hip, maybe ARod should talk to Phillies second baseman Chase Utley. Utley, who went under the knife in November for a similar surgery was originally expected to be out 4-6 months. Now he is expected to be ready by opening day.
Chase was on the field yesterday prior to the Phillies “B Game” against the Blue Jays, and was able to take batting practice, and get some time in the field with no discomfort.
Utley has taken baby steps in his rehabilitation from hip surgery, but is far ahead of the initial prognosis that he wouldn’t be available until early-June. While Utley has been able to take some batting practice and some light fielding, the real test will be when Utley practices at full speed.
“Playing at game pace—that’s the last thing,” he [Utley] said Friday. “The only way you can really mimic …
The Phillies had their first night time action this spring as they traveled to Dunedin to take on the Toronto Blue Jays last night. The result was a 4-3 loss, dropping the Phillies record to 3-4.
The Good:
Chan Ho Park pitched four strong innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out four. His lone run came on a Jason Lane home run in the third inning. Park, who is gunning for the 5th spot in the rotation has allowed two runs over seven innings this spring.
Gary Majewski continues to be a pleasant surprise this spring. The reliever, who is in camp on a minor league contract, pitched two perfect innings and struck out two. In three appearances this spring Majewski has allowed no runs, two hits, six strikeouts (over six innings).
Geoff Jenkins led the Phillies offense, going 1 for 3 with 3 RBI’s. Jenkins knocked in two on a double off Brian Tallet in the fourth, and picked up another on a sacrifice …
The Phillies signed free agent pitcher Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league contract. Lopez is a career 65-65 with a 4.80 ERA, where he’s had stops in San Diego, Baltimore, and Colorado. A two-time 15-game winner, Lopez had his best season in 2002 when he went 15-9 with a 3.57 ERA. Six years and one Tommy John Surgery later (which kept him out of the entire 2008 season), Lopez looks to resurrect his career in Philadelphia.
This is a no-impact sign. Lopez was never that special before Tommy John, and it’s no better now. Lopez adds depth at Lehigh Valley, where he’ll begin the season, and could get a mid-season call up.
On a side note, in 2004 Lopez almost became a Phillie. He was rumored to be the pitcher the Phillies would have received for Pat Burrell, when the trade winds said Burrell was Baltimore bound.
Eagles free agent tackle William “Tra” Thomas spent Monday away from the snow and frigid temperatures of Philadelphia in favor of spending the day in sunny Jacksonville. While the majority of Philadelphians spent a messy Monday trucking through the snow stewing over the loss of Brian Dawkins and idea of TJ Houshmandzadeh lining up opposite DeShawn Jackson fading away, Thomas met with Jaguars’ brass as he entertains spending next season protecting David Gerrard, not Donovan McNabb.
Thomas, a Florida native has spent his entire 11-year career here in Philadelphia and has earned three trips to the Pro Bowl, but it’s very possible his Eagles fans have seen his last game as a member of the Eagles; mainly due to their own inactivity.
I honestly can’t put into words the early off season of the Eagles. While I understand letting guys like Jon Runyan & Dawkins go a plan has to be in place. Replacements have to be factored in. While Stacy Andrews will take over Runyan’s spot, is …
John Mayberry Jr. entered Spring Training with an axe to grind. The former blue chip prospect entered the spring with one goal. To head to Philadelphia on April 2nd.
At 6’6 and 230lbs., Mayberry possess above average power. Unfortunately when you’re blessed with that power you spend all your time swinging for the fences, which more often than not results in an out. It’s been the knock on Mayberry since 2007 when he took the Midwest league by surprise, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 77 in 126 games.
When the Phillies sent speedster Greg Golson to the Texas Rangers for Mayberry, it was originally viewed as a swap of prospects who once were at the top of the their respective teams, who’s flaws in their games made them expendable. Golson, a player with five-tools, who was unable to hit an off speed pitch, and Mayberry, a power hitting outfielder, who would never hit consistent enough to make an impact (that whole swinging for the fences thing).
Well …
The Phillies dropped their second game of the 2009 Grapefruit League schedule, losing to the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2, but Spring Training baseball isn’t about wins and losses. In the early going, it’s more about established players getting ready for the season, and fringe players looking to prove themselves, to either win a position battle or roster spot.
While some fans get real excited when their favorite team looks like the team to beat when they have a strong spring campaign (Pirates fans hae to cheer sometime), in reality Spring Training is full of Good, Bad, and Ugly.
The Good:
- Rookie Carlos Carrasco threw two innings of no-hit baseball, while picking up three strikeouts.
- J.A. Happ also threw two-shutout innings, allowing one hit while striking out one.
- Gary Majewski, looking to earn a spot in the bullpen, pitched two innings of no-hit baseball. Majewski walked none and struck out two.
- Jimmy Rollins and John Mayberry Jr. both went 1 for 3 with an RBI.
- Yorman Bazardo pitched a …
Yesterday the official rosters for the World Baseball Classic were announced and there’s no shortage of Phillies. Jimmy Rollins (USA), Matt Stairs (Canada), Carlos Ruiz (Panama), J.C. Romero (Puerto Rico), Drew Naylor, Joel Haughton, and Brad Harman (Austrailia) will all take the field for their respective countries as 16 teams battle it out of what is baseball’s equivalent of the World Cup.
Rollins is obviously the biggest Phillie chosen to play and although he’s a backup shortstop, he might see expanded time with the Yankees Derek Jeter dealing with a nagging hamstring.
While outside of Rollins it’s not the cream of the crop in Philadelphia, but it’s not by the WBC’s choice. Ryan Howard (focusing on the season), Cole Hamels (resting his arm), and Brad Lidge (birth of child), all declined invitations, and Chase Utley was unavailable due to recovery from hip surgery.
One name that I’m surprised not to see, but glad he’s not playing is Ronny Paulino. Paulino expressed interest in playing for the Dominican Republic, but …
It’s been over three months since we’ve seen the Phillies take the field, but tomorrow, they open their Grapefruit League schedule in Bradenton, taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Here’s the lineup:
1 – Jimmy Rollins, SS
2 – Shane Victorino, CF
3 – Raul Ibanez, LF
4 – Ryan Howard, 1B
5 – Geoff Jenkins, RF
6 – Matt Stairs, DH
7 – Jason Donald, 2B
8 – Eric Bruntlett, 3B
9 – Chris Coste, C
Seeing Bruntlett starting at third is interesting. With Pedro Feliz still not fully recovered from back surgery, Bruntleyy might be the guy with the early inside track starting in his place, although Greg Dobbs is the likely option. Aside from that, Jason Donald is another player to monitor as he’s in the running to sub at third and possibly second should Chase Utley not be ready for Opening Day. The player I’m interested to see will be coming off the bench, is Marcus Giles. Although out of baseball for a year after a disappointing season, he has the tool and …
Being the league’s best bullpen tends to have it’s advantage…
The Phillies bullpen will be featured in baseball’s first-ever reality show. The fledgling MLB Network is currently filming the Phillies in Clearwater, recording the debut episode of The Pen, an inside look at the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen. The show debuts on June 1st and run weekly the following six weeks, giving fans the inner working of a major league bullpen.
Oh, and it’ll also highlight some of the Phillies bullpen personalities. But don’t worry, the fame should go to anyone’s head.
“I ain’t no star, but it will be interesting to see the finished product.” – Clay Condrey
This is an interesting idea MLB Network has come up with. Aside from the fact what we’ll hear about the J.C. Romero suspension, for years we’ve all heard players talk about the antics in the bullpen, and they things they do to pass time. Now we’ll all get a chance to see it front and center.
With pitchers and catchers officially reporting to Spring Training today, baseball has awoke from it’s winter slumber and officially made it’s return. This spring is a little more special for the people of Philadelphia as their World Champion Phillies embark on a 162 game dogfight to attempt to be the first repeat World Champions since the Yankees did it from 1998-2008. This won’t be an easy task as the off season brought upgrades to the rival New York Mets (Francisco Rodriguez & J.J. Putz) ,and Atlanta Braves (Derek Lowe & Javier Vazquez), as well as the Chicago Cubs (Milton Bradley, Kevin Gregg, & Aaron Miles).
While the Phillies weren’t overly active on the free agent or trade market this winter, new General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr., had a busy off season, and has put together a Phillies team can again hold up the Commissioners Trophy this October.
Key Additions:…
