Now that Roy Halliday will be donning the red pinstripes of a Philadelphia baseball player, the focus now turns to the bullpen. With Chan Ho Park unlikely to return and relievers Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero coming off elbow surgery, the Phillies will be looking for new arms ready to go in time for spring training.
According to GM Ruben Amaro, Jr., the Phillies are going to try to get 2 free agents that can come in relief. Here are a few names that are floating around:
-Fernando Rodney (Detroit Tigers) - (2-5, 4.40 ERA, 37 saves) With less than average performance of Lidge last season, there's a possibility that the closer role could be shared by both Lidge and Rodney.
-John Smoltz (St. Louis Cardinals) - (3-8, 6.35 ERA, 1.45 WHIP) Forget about his past history with the Phillies with his dominance pitching to his complaints about the outfield at CBP, Smoltz, who is obviously past his prime, could be help coming from the bullpen, provided he doesn't want a starting position.
-Mike MacDougal (Washington Nationals) - (1-1, 4.31 ERA, 20 saves) Potential setup man?
-Miguel Batista (Seattle Mariners) - (7-4, 4.04 ERA, 1.65 WHIP) Multitasker who can both start and come in relief, definitely a valuable weapon for the Phillies if used properly.
-Bob Howry (San Francisco Giants)- (2-6, 3.39 ERA) The Phillies also have liked him in the past.
-Kiko Calero (Florida Marlins) - went 2-2 with a 1.95 ERA in 60 appearances last season.
Also, be sure to look for some of the pitcher from the farm like Antonio Bastardo and Sergio Escalona.
Monday, December 21, 2009
O won't you stay just a little bit longer?
The Phillies have exercised their 2011 option on shortstop Jimmy Rollins, meaning that Rollins will be paid $8.5 million in that year. This is a good thing for the Phillies, by locking up another player past this season. To date, outfielder Jayson Werth will be the team's only free agent.
Happy Halliday!
So now the Phillies have signed the guy they wanted last season, former Blue Jays pitcher and AL Cy Young Award winner Roy Halliday. What's more is that they have him for and extended three years (putting away any chance of the Yankees or Red Sox trying to pick him up after the 2010 season).
Of course it did come with a price, losing dominant pitcher Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners. I know the move may have ticked off a lot of people, but I think only time will tell how good this trade will be. After all, we've seen our share of surprises, haven't we Philadelphia?
Of course it did come with a price, losing dominant pitcher Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners. I know the move may have ticked off a lot of people, but I think only time will tell how good this trade will be. After all, we've seen our share of surprises, haven't we Philadelphia?
Monday, December 7, 2009
He's back...
I know I'm the last person to talk on this, but look who's back on third base?!
The Phillies brought back ex-Phil Placido Polanco and signed him to a three-year $18 million deal. Polanco first came to Phillies in 2002 with pichers Mike Timlin and Bud Smith in the deal that sent disgruntled third baseman Scott Rolen to the St. Louis Cardinals. But unlike Rolen, Polanco, 34, said "I always wanted to be here, I never wanted to leave.
Polanco was traded to the Detroit Tigers back in 2005 for pitcher Ugueth Urbina and catcher Ramon Martinez. The Tigers got the better end of the deal as Polanco hit .341 in 2007, .307 in 2008, and .285 with 10 home runs and 72 RBIs last season. He also won two gold gloves, a silver glove, and earned a trip to the All Star Game in 2007. In addition, he was name the 2006 ALCS MVP. Meanwhile, Martinez, a Philadelphia native, hit .285 with one home run (a grand slam), and Urbina was best remembered for trying to stab farm workers in his native Venezuela and attempting to douse them in gasoline.
Hopefully the second time will be a charm for Polanco and the Phillies, who with his addition, will put All Stars in the first seven spots in the lineup.
The Phillies brought back ex-Phil Placido Polanco and signed him to a three-year $18 million deal. Polanco first came to Phillies in 2002 with pichers Mike Timlin and Bud Smith in the deal that sent disgruntled third baseman Scott Rolen to the St. Louis Cardinals. But unlike Rolen, Polanco, 34, said "I always wanted to be here, I never wanted to leave.
Polanco was traded to the Detroit Tigers back in 2005 for pitcher Ugueth Urbina and catcher Ramon Martinez. The Tigers got the better end of the deal as Polanco hit .341 in 2007, .307 in 2008, and .285 with 10 home runs and 72 RBIs last season. He also won two gold gloves, a silver glove, and earned a trip to the All Star Game in 2007. In addition, he was name the 2006 ALCS MVP. Meanwhile, Martinez, a Philadelphia native, hit .285 with one home run (a grand slam), and Urbina was best remembered for trying to stab farm workers in his native Venezuela and attempting to douse them in gasoline.
Hopefully the second time will be a charm for Polanco and the Phillies, who with his addition, will put All Stars in the first seven spots in the lineup.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Phillie-killer no more
The Phillies have had struggles with a certain catcher by the name of Brian Schneider in past years. A career .251 hitter with the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals, and just last season, those pesky New York Mets, Schneider has had his history with the Phillies, proving that he can best the red pinstripes.
But worry no more Philadelphia.
The Phils have signed Schneider to a two-year deal worth $2.75 million to backup Carlos Ruiz. Schneider hit .218 with three home runs and 24 RBI with the Mets last season.
But worry no more Philadelphia.
The Phils have signed Schneider to a two-year deal worth $2.75 million to backup Carlos Ruiz. Schneider hit .218 with three home runs and 24 RBI with the Mets last season.
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