Tonight at midnight, all MLB free agents will be able to speak with and accept contract offers from any team they choose. As of 3:30pm, the Phillies’ two main free agents, Jamie Moyer and Pat Burrell, have not re-signed.
Burrell is not a surprise, but at this point, Moyer is. I thought that this deal would get done soon after the Scott Eyre signing. I read (I believe in one of the papers) that Moyer is seeking a 2-year deal, and the Phillies were unsure whether to give it to him. As I’ve mentioned before, I love Moyer but only want him back on a one-year deal. Perhaps give him a team option for the 2nd year, but no way am I giving him a guaranteed 2nd year. In 8 1/2 hours, he can get offers from any team, and someone with a desperate need for pitching and a history of signing people to longer-than-they-should contracts (read: New York Mets) might shoot him a better offer. Moyer’s departure would make our off-season suddenly more important as we would have 2 undecided spots at the end of our rotation.
Other Phillies Notes
- The Phillies insisted that they did not make a serious run at Matt Holliday. It sounds like once the Rockies requested Victorino or Werth, the conversations ended. I think we all agree that is a good thing.
- ESPN’s Jayson Stark, who has as much inside info about the Phillies as anyone, said in his off-season primer that he expects the Phillies to only make minor moves this offseason, as we have speculated here. The names he includes as possibilities are right-handed relievers Doug Brocail and Russ Springer and right-handed outfielders Rocco Baldelli and Juan Rivera. If Baldelli didn’t have a constant injury problem, he would be the perfect fit for a RH/LH outfield platoon. I’m not so sure about Rivera either. He hasn’t played at a high level for 2 years and has Geoff Jenkins, Wes Helms and David Bell written all over him.
- The Braves continue to be the leader for Jake Peavy, and from the looks of it, wouldn’t be giving up as much as I think they should to get him (a la the Santana trade last year). I don’t understand how these GM’s can mismanage trading a Cy Young winner in his prime. You should get back 2 A-level prospects and 1 B-level prospect. For the record, I don’t believe the Phillies have any A-level prospects right now. Carrasco is the best, and I’d put him at about a B+ (not to say he can’t improve).
- The Marlins traded away another piece today, sending closer Kevin Gregg to the Cubs. So, they should be due to win the World Series in about 2011.
- The Yankees just got Nick Swisher from the White Sox for two low-level prospects and Wilson Betemit. I hope we at least put a call in for that.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
The Phillies should go after Randy Johnson. Just don’t put a camera in his face.
I’m surprised that Moyer hasn’t signed with the Phils yet, too. Of all the guys on the roster, he’s the last one I’d expect to be holding out for more years or more money. Everything seemed to be lined up for him to stay and most likely finish his career here. I guess it really is a business for everyone involved.
I’m with you, Pete. The only way I’d even consider a second year for Moyer is with an option that vests after a certain number of starts or innings pitched.
As we know, Burrell is another situation entirely. I don’t blame him at all for testing the open market, but I am very happy that the Phils aren’t throwing all kinds of money and years at him.
I think the Phils are playing the Burrell situation the right way. I’d like to give them full credit for doing so, but I think a large part of the reason for it is due to their impending jump in payroll. We are all aware of the raises due to Utley, Rollins, and Lidge and of all the pending arbitration cases. Throw in Eyre, probably Moyer, another reliever, a right handed bat, possibly another starter, and whatever else, and I don’t see the Phils being in a position to give Burrell a lot, even if they wanted to. They are more or less forced to be judicious with him.
It really is the right way to go. There is no sense of putting a good offer out there until you know what others think Burrell is worth. Let someone else determine the market, then decide if it’s worth spending what is required to keep him.
Burrell is a very well known commodity at this point in his career, which is a double-edged sword. Everybody talks about the HRs, the RBIs, and the offensive productivity. Other teams will covet that and how will we replace it. I’m not dismissing that aspect of Burrell, but everyone is also very well aware that he is a defensive liability (mostly due to lack of range, IMO), of his lack of speed (which is more lacking each succeeding year), his clogging the bases (no 1st to 3rd or 2nd to home, gidp, etc…), and the long dry spells where he gives you next to nothing offensively.
In-season dry spells notwithstanding, Burrell has put up consistent season totals for the past 4 years. This also cuts both ways. While you know what you are getting, you also know what you are getting. Nobody is going to offer him more money or a longer contract with an eye toward improvement, because that’s not happening. The trick will be to peg the number of years he can continue to produce at this same level. I don’t think there are that many teams out there who will be willing to push the envelope with him. Then again, it only takes one, right?
Like I’ve said before, we can’t get sentimental about these guys. As much as I am a fan and I do root for and like certain players, the “game” has changed. As such, my primary loyalty lies with the team and the players that comprise it at any given time.
I read that Stark article. I wasn’t jumping up and down when I read it, but I understand why this will be our course. The money, as previously mentioned, is obviously a huge factor. Also, Manuel has stated that he likes the team. He feels the core we have is a solid one. Last, I’m sensing that after three years and a championship, the Phils front office (Amaro) has fully embraced “Gillickball” as my friend Zack dubbed it. As such, I fully expect to see gap filling and tweaking almost exclusively.
Definitely agree that it was the right thing to walk away from a Holliday deal. No sense filling one hole for only one year by creating another hole that would most likely last longer.
I also read about the Peavy situation. I won’t be too thrilled if he does end up with the Braves. That means we will be seeing him in the opening series of the season (if not the opening game) as well as many more times along the way.
Get Dave T. over here to read this one. The long, rambling post ball is now back in his court.
Forgot to mention that Utley won his third consecutive Silver Slugger award. I’m glad we’re picking up a few awards (Victorino and Rollins-Gold Gloves).
I was kind of disappointed that Lidge finished 4th in the Cy Young voting. Not that it makes much of a difference. Lincecum certainly is deserving of it, so the best Lidge could have done was finish 2nd. Still, it would have been nice if he did. Webb had a very good year, but Lidge was perfect, you know? That’s gotta carry some weight, IMO. (I’m not even considering Santana. No way he belongs in front of lights-out.)
I was also disappointed for Charlie Manuel. I can understand why Pinella got it, but still. You know, I agree with a lot of people that Fredi Gonzales probably deserved it. What he did with what he had merits more consideration, IMO.
Next up is the NL MVP which will be awarded on Monday. Curious to see where Howard finishes in the voting.
I do not pretend to know alot about the young kids that we have in our minor league system. But I’m sure there is a good reason why we have held back from trading them away. I keep hearing the same names pop up in conversations. We built most of our world series team from guys we have brought up in our own system. Are these kids ready to come up and contribute? And if thats the case, how important is it to really land a big name free agent? When all of our guys have their contracts redone our payrole is going to go up probably by 30 million, if not more. How much money can we really spend or the owners willing to spend?
I agree 100% with Jacob. If Moyer wants a two year deal I say let him find it somewhere else and go after Randy Johnson. The man pitched well last year and he would solidify the bottom of our rotation. You know that Moyer isn’t going to put up the same numbers that he did last year. He had a very solid season and we would not have won the WS without him, but I would much rather have Randy Johnson’s 90+ mph fastball and sick slider.
Also, I think that initially Moyer was brought it to help mature Cole Hamels and he has done a wonderful job with that. Now I don’t think it would be a bad thing to have Cole learn a few more pointers from a different left-handed perspective.
It is time to move on past Moyer, dont make those sentimental decisions that have ruined past champions. No way do I give him a 2 year deal. Offer him a job with the organization, which I doubt he would take, he is more likely to go work for the Mariners.
Randy Johnson is at the bottom of my list. That’s one of those moves that organizations make to bring a big name guy to get the fans excited, but that will never contribute much. Arizona wouldnt be letting him walk away if he was still something special.
I would rather see them make a run a guys like Lowe or Garland.
bski-I am glad to see some awards being won by our guys as well. Though I am shocked that the best second baseman in the game did not win a gold glove. That’s just ridiculous.
I thought Juan Rivera was the thief of Jeter’s glove but it was actually RUBEN River, so I wouldn’t mind Juan Rivera…Anybody else think Willingham would have been a fine platoon right-handed LFer?
*Rivera
stu-
would have loved a trade for Willingham. Also, I would like to know what the White Sox are looking for for Jermaine Dye (though maybe he’s off the market with Swisher gone already)
kevin -
In a perfect world, Derek Lowe is the guy we sign. groundball pitcher, rubber arm, playoff experience. But he will demand too much. Jon Garland is good option though. Kind of like Blanton in that he’s not fantastic, but he’s solid, and that’s really all we need.
Here’s a link to the Hot Stove Preview: NL East on si.com. It covers the whole division. As far as we’re concerned, Caleb Peiffer’s take is pretty much along the same lines as Jayson Stark’s with the addition of a few names like Pavano, Byrd, Odalis Perez, Mike Hampton, and Freddy Garcia as 5th starter options and Emil Brown as a possible right handed hitting left fielder to platoon with Jenkins. Again, nothing to get excited over.
Kevin…Yeah, I think Utley should have won a Gold Glove as well.
A starting pitcher is the biggest need now that Moyer could leave. The 5th spot doesn’t matter too much because we have enough guys to get by but if you ask two of them to pitch well at the same time that might be asking too much. Need to either resign Moyer or get someone else.
Interesting SP names that I would like to see here: Lowe, Brandon Looper, Brad Penny on a cheap incentive deal, Andy Pettitte, Ben Sheets on a cheap incentive deal, and here’s one last name that nobody has even mentioned in all the hot stove rumors I’ve been reading. John Smoltz- Don’t know if people assume he’ll resign with ATL or if people don’t think he can be healthy for another year but hey I’d give him a shot. And he filed for FA and sounds open to leaving the Braves
As for LF- Sign a RH platoon guy like Kapler, Rivera, Mench etc. I would consider Jermaine Dye if he came cheap enough but wouldn’t give up more than an average prospect. OF is the easiest position to fill in baseball so no need to overpay now. I have faith that somebody random can step up like a Werth who the Phils got for a minimum contract. The Mets even got good play from Tatis who was out of baseball for years. If it doesn’t work out then just get somebody at the trade deadline.
If Pavano, Byrd, Odalis Perez, Mike Hampton, and Freddy Garcia are our 5th starter options then I hope we just roll the dice with Carrasco/Happ. Surely we have someone in the minors capable of giving you what Emil Brown gives you. There has to be better option than that.
“OF is the easiest position to fill in baseball so no need to overpay now. I have faith that somebody random can step up like a Werth who the Phils got for a minimum contract. The Mets even got good play from Tatis who was out of baseball for years.”
bball, this is a GREAT point. And it is similar to the point I made about Aaron Rowand leaving last off-season.
http://www.reclinergm.com/rowand-vs-jenkinswerth-is-there-a-47-million-dollar-difference/
“If Pavano, Byrd, Odalis Perez, Mike Hampton, and Freddy Garcia are our 5th starter options then I hope we just roll the dice with Carrasco/Happ.”
Kevin –
I agree on Happ, but I’m pretty adamant that we keep Carrasco in the minors to start. However, I don’t like any of those names either.
realistic pitchers I would be interested in:
Jon Garland
Paul Byrd (small one-year deal)
Braden Looper (I guess…)
John Smoltz
Randy Wolf (though he would shun us, again)
realistic OFers
Milton Bradley
Rocco Baldelli
Looking at the list of free agents….there is very little out there after the top-10
What do people think about Smoltz? It sounds like he can start throwing off a mound again in January but the news on his rehab is good so far. He had shoulder surgery back in June.
http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081031&content_id=3658810&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
bball…I’d be ok with Smoltz, but I highly doubt he’d want to pitch here. He has been openly bashing CBP ever since it opened.
16 wins. No way you get that again from Moyer imo. Let him go back to Puget Sound. His self-righteous air is annoying anyway. Acts like he’s the conservator of all that’s valuable in baseball. I see him as a mercenary in sheep’s clothing. He’s as Philly as Starbucks. (I do credit him though with giving extra effort in signing autographs for kids.) Timing is everything. He visited “home” when the going got good, thanks to a shrewd Gillick. Capitalizing on opportunity, Jamie had a nice year regardless of age. Can’t take that away from him. But a ‘Happ/Kendrick/Brand X free agent’ utility should provide on par or better than the 46 yr. old lefty over next season’s long haul.
If – and only if – it can be confirmed that Rocco Baldelli’s condition is manageable, I think that somehow it might work.
First, anyone whose name is “Rocco” definitely sounds like a Philly guy. That’s a perfect fit right there.
Second, we have a history of great athletes overcoming challenging medical conditions. Bobby Clarke led the Flyers to two Stanley Cups while taking injections for diabetes. Bobby Jones was an awesome 6th man for the 76ers while taking medication to control epilepsy. Then there was Jim Eisenreich and his battle with Tourette’s Syndrome. Okay, so it’s just a sentimental hunch, but I get the feeling Rocco Baldelli can hang with these guys.
Ha, Fernando Tatis. Good call on that, some rando will come in and be a serviceable platoon guy. Tatis and Ryan Church were two of the Melts’ MVPs last season, I would have pegged both of those guys as loser pre-season. Who knows, maybe we can all talk ourselves into Eric Bruntlett if he gets more at-bats. If we can put that money into pitching, I’ll take my chances with my right-handed LFer.
I would give the Bruntlett/Dobbs tagteam a chance if nothing better comes to the plate. I think Bruntlett would be a decent 7/8 hole hitter given the exposure to play 80+ games, and he is much better than ‘ole cement legs out there in LF.
i think phils should get some big names and spend money TO MAKE MONEY . get like a jermaine dye , cc. sabathia , manny ramirez , pat burrell , garret atkins , mike lowell , or another good 3b .
phils need 1 more big name with 20 + homers 75 + rbi’s , good fielder . good average and steals . like grady sizemore , alfonso soriano , ryan ludwick or someone not as good .
they need a 3B , LF ( if pat burrell leaves ) pitcher ( think of this lol cc , cole hamels , brett myers , jamie moyer , to be decided WOW ! or with manny . j – roll , utly , manny , howard , victorino , werth , jenkins or free agent , carlos ruiz or chris coste , pitcher . NICE !
( still very good know )