A couple of interesting Phillies tidbits today from Ruben Amaro. The Winter Meeting start on Monday, so we might actually start hearing some bigger stuff next week…
- David Murphy of the Daily News said that while Ruben Amaro did not directly say they were interested in Smoltz, he heavily inferred it. Smoltz, who will turn 43 in May, went 1-3 with a 4.26 ERA for the Cardinals in 7 starts after pitching horribly for the Red Sox. He would compete with Moyer and Kyle Kendrick for the 5th starter spot. What I’m taking from this is that I’m not going to like how our 5th starter spot looks at the start of the season.
- We didn’t offer arbitration to Chan Ho Park or Scott Eyre. We would have gotten a draft pick if we did and they didn’t accept, and then signed with another team. I get Eyre, but I don’t get Park. This tells me that the Phils are scared that Park would command more than the $2.5 million he made last year, which tells me that adding much payroll this off-season is not in the plans or they are saving every last penny for a 3B.
- Miguel Tejada was not offered arbitration by the Astros, this means we could sign him without losing a draft pick. You wonder if that could get him added to the 3B wish list.
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Smoltz is pretty doubtful. He’s not in this just for pride. He wants to get paid (that’s my impression based on reads, plus a very expensive divorce about 2 years ago). Has a better chance to get more innings in St. Louis. Plus, Smoltz is a year away from the rest of his life. The rest of his life is in Atlanta. Needs to repair burned bridges with the Braves org, and signing with a division rival, particularly thee team to beat is regression.
Now. That said. John Smoltz is the latest in a line of pitchers who underwent major arm surgery and people expected the usual almost immediately. It do not work that way. It takes around a year, and with that in mind, I think Smoltz is a prospect to win 12 games in the right situation. That means no American League as one criteria. Smoltz should know by end of spring if that’s doable, and if not, he should play golf full time.
I just don’t see him as a fit here.
If Tejada can play a little 2nd he may be more attractive than Derosa. Although he IS an unknown as far as defense at 3rd also.
Billy Wagner signs with the Braves. Can’t he just go away?
Phillies stars Cliff Lee and Shane Victorino will headline the 103rd Philadelphia Sportscard & Memorabilia show. A number of top athletes will appear in the autograph pavilion at the show, which takes place December 4th-6th at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA. Athletes appearing include Hall of Famers Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt, all-time hits leader Pete Rose, and 2009 World Series team members Lee, Victorino, Scott Eyre and Jamie Moyer. – Hunt Auctions
I guess this means Jamie Moyer is making progrss,and nice to see Cliff Lee doing something in Philly over the winter.
The Phillies, Pirates, and Astros have inquired on free agent reliever J.J. Putz, according to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. Earlier today, Crasnick named the Rangers as a suitor.>>
Also today, Crasnick mentioned the Texas Rangers being interested in Brett Myers.
I kinda like the Putz prospects. He brings closing experience and assuning he’s healthy, could represent great valus since I can’t see the market for him offering tremendous guaranteed money. Yesterday, the Yanks were reportedly intereste in Brandon Lyon, the Detroit pitcher that like Putz, offers closing and set up experience, and insurance against Lidge being closer to 09 than 08 seems wise.
Regarding Billy Wagner, this looks like a 1 year deal to me. The club option for ‘11 is based on 50 finishes. I think that’s going to be a lot, but based on Billy pitching well with the Red Sox, its a nice move, if not an expensive one for the Atlanta club to close the gap with the Phils. They have work to do yet, as in offense, in my view, but it’s a step up.
Perhaps we’ll get some real discussable news out of the now days away winter meetings.
Good find KB,
“he’s willing to sign a one-year, incentive-laden deal to re-establish himself as a dominant back-end pitcher” – would LOVE to sign Putz to one of those contracts.
Polanco didn’t get arbitration either – looks like he might be their first choice, which I wouldn’t be terribly excited about.
SI’s Jon Heyman has reported the following I found interesting…
“The most shocking call on the day teams had to decide whether to offer their free agents arbitration had to be the Dodgers not offering it to steady starter Randy Wolf (11-7, 1.10 WHIP). That could be an indication where L.A. finances stand. Anyone who thought they’d get into the Halladay talks must have been dreaming. This could enhance Wolf’s value, though. The Mets, Brewers and Phillies are among teams believed to have some interest.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/12/02/roy.halladay/1.html#ixzz0YZbtafTJ
Though not sure what to take of this given our already heavy left handed rotation but I would prefer Wolf as our fifth starter compared to the others discussed above….