Phillies '09-'10 off season thread

[johnnie]

yep, although signing a 46 year old for two years seems like the worse of the two decisions. there's definitely a balance, and perhaps money was part of it (I think it would have put them at #2 after the yankees). he did say he wanted to finish his career here so it seems like he would only have walked if they pulled an eagles on him (cough dawkins cough)

Boston has three very solid starters in Beckett, Lester and now Lackey. Ill predict the BoSox win the WS next year, but my prediction skills almost never come true. (Hopefully my jinx works)

Even with Lee, and Hamels turning back into the Hamels who helped us win a WS, that would have been an even matchup, starting pitcher wise IMO.

[#1MetsFan]

If they hadn't tendered a 7+ million offer to Blanton, they coulda kept Lee too, but that happened prior to the Phils knowing they could get Halladay. Amaro said the trade was for prospects, but Im thinking it was more about the money. Even if Lee walked after this next year, the Phils still would have gotten 2 high draft picks, I believe.

Even after tendering Blanton, they could have traded him away if they wanted to keep Lee. Lots of teams need pitching, and someone would have taken him. It clearly was about getting prospects back. They wouldn't have gotten anything decent in return for Blanton. By dealing Lee, they got three high-ceiling prospects -- whether they'll actually pan out is a completely different question and we're still several years away from knowing that, but you can't argue that they didn't get talent in return. It might not have been the decisoin we would have made, but it wasn't about money.

(And, yes, we would have gotten two #1 picks after Lee walks next year, but the difference is that in the Seattle trade, we get 3 prospects who by next year will be at least 3 years ahead of those draft picks in their professional development.)

I believe that Amaro didn't want to be in the position that the Yankees were in a few years ago (and that the Mets are in now), having traded away all your top prospects, so you have no trade chips come July and you have no real prospects to eventually replace your aging veterans.

[johnnie]

Even after tendering Blanton, they could have traded him away if they wanted to keep Lee. Lots of teams need pitching, and someone would have taken him. It clearly was about getting prospects back. They wouldn't have gotten anything decent in return for Blanton. By dealing Lee, they got three high-ceiling prospects -- whether they'll actually pan out is a completely different question and we're still several years away from knowing that, but you can't argue that they didn't get talent in return. It might not have been the decisoin we would have made, but it wasn't about money.

(And, yes, we would have gotten two #1 picks after Lee walks next year, but the difference is that in the Seattle trade, we get 3 prospects who by next year will be at least 3 years ahead of those draft picks in their professional development.)

I believe that Amaro didn't want to be in the position that the Yankees were in a few years ago (and that the Mets are in now), having traded away all your top prospects, so you have no trade chips come July and you have no real prospects to eventually replace your aging veterans.

Rumors were the Phils tried shopping Blanton. Either no one wanted to bite at the 7 million price tag or the prospects werent very good the Phils would have gotten in return. Still the prospects we got back from Seattle are not nearly the level or as close to the majors as what we gave away for Halladay. Amaro said this in an interview. Only one of the prospects was a #1 round, not that that matters much though.

Blanton is a solid pitcher but Id obviously rather have Lee for a single season before he walks away at free agency. Both will be free agents after next year if they dont sign a new contract. Still it is a balancing act. Future vs Present. One could argue either side.

[Hospitalitygirl]

And in the Whoa...HOTTNESS alert:

Phils see good value in Baez | Philly | 01/05/2010

Serviceable enough...for pitching.

[eldondre]

tug who?

[Zep]

And in the Whoa...HOTTNESS alert:

Phils see good value in Baez | Philly | 01/05/2010

Serviceable enough...for pitching.

Posted a 4.02 ERA and a 4.47 tRA last year, 1.130 WHIP is decent for a reliever. He'll rely on your defense more than his ERA lets on but for the price he certainly looks like a serviceable arm to come out of the pen.

I can't look at fangraphs at work (blocked) but if I were you I'd look him up on there and check out his FIP, and -Swing numbers to get a better idea of what kind of pitcher he'll be.

[eldondre]

The Phillies officially announced their three-year, $22 million agreement with outfielder Shane Victorino today.

Victorino, who had two years of arbitration remaining, batted .292 with 10 home runs and 62 RBI last season. In 607 career regular season games as a Phillie, Victorino has hit .289 with 44 home runs, 220 RBI and 102 stolen bases.

Phillies officially sign Victorino to 3-year, $22M deal | The Phillies Zone | 01/22/2010

We're looking in the general direction of Jayson Werth. Werth, who signed a two-year, $10 million deal to avoid his final year of arbitration last year and buyout his first year of free agency this year, goes onto the market for the first time after the 2010 season. And if he has another season similar to 2009, with 36 home runs, 99 RBI and 20 stolen bases, there should be a handful of teams willing to pay the man decent bucks.

Does the signing of Victorino preclude the Phillies from bringing Werth back? Not necessarily. Werth could take a discounted salary to stay in the fold in Philadelphia and the Phillies could maybe work a trade for Raul Ibanez. But that's a long shot considering Ibanez's age and the fact that the Phillies would probably have to throw in some money in any deal involving Ibanez...Here are the players under contract for 2011: Ryan Howard ($20M), Roy Halladay ($20M), Chase Utley ($15.286M), Raul Ibanez ($12.167M), Brad Lidge ($12M), Cole Hamels ($9.5M), Jimmy Rollins ($8.5M), Joe Blanton ($8.5), Shane Victorino ($8.25M -- an estimate), Placido Polanco ($5.417M), Ryan Madson ($4.833M), Danys Baez ($2.750M), Brian Schneider ($1.625M) and Ross Gload ($1.6M).

Amaro said "cost certainty" is a big part of what the team is trying to do. They at least have a good idea of how much money is tied up at this point. Assistant general manager Scott Proefrock was asked about the financial situation and said this was part of the plan...Just a thought: For everyone who is still upset about paying Joe Blanton and not Cliff Lee, keep 2011 and beyond in your mind. Knowing the money they had tied up for 2011, the team had an idea it was basically impossible to meet what Lee will bring in free agency next offseason. So instead, the team chose three years of an affordable Joe Blanton along with three prospects over one year of Cliff Lee. Will that backfire? It's certainly possible.

Even if Werth ends up being out of the picture, does the team still have enough flexibility to fill out the rest of the roster for 2011? Or does someone under contract need to be traded to free up cash?

Looking ahead to an interesting 2011 | The Phillies Zone | 01/22/2010

I'd hate to see werth go, especially since Ibanez is going to give way to a younger player in 12 most likely. Seems like they could eat one year of high salary to keep werth adn then go with a prospect in Ibanez spot the following year.

[lewblum]

From a team perspective, I don't think there's much to worry about, considering our outfield depth in the minors.

From a personal persepctive, I love Jayson Werth.
He exemplifies what this team is all about - Power and Speed.
I would be very sad to see him go. The designer locs, however, I could easily part with:

[eldondre]

The past two seasons, the Phillies bullpen has received a critical boost from a former starting pitcher who re-invented himself in the bullpen. In 2008, it was Chad Durbin. Last year, it was Chan Ho Park.

This year, Jose Contreras will attempt to fill the void. The Phillies have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the hard-throwing Cuban righthander, according to a league source, and are hoping he can fill the void created when they gave up on re-signing Park.

Terms are unknown at this point, and the deal is not expected to be announced until Contreras passes a physical.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. acknowledged yesterday that the Phillies had been in frequent contact with Contreras' agent, but downplayed the significance of the interactions. A source said the Phillies are looking at Contreras as a reliever, a role he has not filled regularly since his rookie season with the Yankees.

The righthander could theoretically contend for the fifth spot in the team's rotation, but both veteran lefthander Jamie Moyer and young righthander Kyle Kendrick would have to falter for that to be considered a realistic option.

Contreras proved to be a pivotal boost to the Rockies' bullpen last season during their fight for a playoff spot. In 17 innings, he allowed three runs and struck out 17, starting two games, then five relief appearances at the end of September. He faced the Phillies twice in the NLDS, allowing one run and striking out three while walking two in two innings of work.

Your new Chan Ho Park | Philly | 01/22/2010

[wislad]

Less than three weeks 'til pitchers and catchers. I'm excited!

[PoopyHead]

I would be devastated to see Jayson Werth go. Get rid of Ibanez instead!

[#1MetsFan]

The more I read about Cole Hamels' offseason work regimen and the shape he's in, the more excited I am for the season to start. I think he's going to have a big year.

[Hospitalitygirl]

It's official: Moyer is fifth starter | The Phillies Zone | 03/30/2010

5th spot to Moyer.

[Zep]

I would be devastated to see Jayson Werth go. Get rid of Ibanez instead!

And what do you do about his 3 year, 30 million contract?

[lewblum]

And what do you do about his 3 year, 30 million contract?

who's the baseball equivalent of the Oakland Raiders?


5 days til opening day!!!

[#1MetsFan]

And what do you do about his 3 year, 30 million contract?

You're talking about 2 years in, so it's actually a 1 year, $10 million contract, which would be tradable if the Phils are willing to pay a significant portion of it (which I doubt).

[Zep]

You're talking about 2 years in, so it's actually a 1 year, $10 million contract, which would be tradable if the Phils are willing to pay a significant portion of it (which I doubt).

True, but there's no way they eat a chunk or Raul's contract and have enough money left over to pay Werth.

[#1MetsFan]

I agree. Plus, I think the payroll is set to rise something like $15 million due to salary raises alone.

[Hospitalitygirl]

A couple of good things here.

If Raul can't quite perform or is laid up a while longer, we have really good, off-the-bench options. And hopefully, when the old man finally wears down some more, he'll go to the bullpen and Kendrick comes up--provided he doesn't screw up with the Iron Pigs.

[lewblum]

And hopefully, when the old man finally wears down some more, he'll go to the bullpen and Kendrick comes up--provided he doesn't screw up with the Iron Pigs.

I think Kendrick's starting in the Phils' pen as the long man.
But he'll definitely get some starts this year.