<<The agent for Brandon Lyon expects he get a multi-year deal — and Lyon is open to diffent roles, closer or set-up PhI, LAA a possible fit.>>

What I find initially compelling here is Lyon being open to different roles.  He may wind up being da man if Lidge is off again, or the set up guy if Madson replaces Lidge, or an important middle guy, but he’s supposedly open or receptive to versatility.  That part of the equation is a plus.  That’s called value.  At least in part.

That was reported by Andy Martino of the Inky earlier this morning.  With the subtraction of Bruntlett, Ruben seems to be clearly saying the same thing he said about 3rd base.  We can get better bang for our buck, and I believe Bruntlett was overpaid at the ML minimum, or certainly close to it..

As to another utility candidate, Buster Olney said this morning that he thinks Craig Counsell is a possible fit with either the Yanks or BoSox among the 12 unlisted teams that have shown intrest in him.  I wonder how he’s attractive to the Yanks.  I wonder how interested he’d be in the Phillies given a potential scarcity of at bats, and wonder how the situation would be different in NY.  For Counsell to play here, he’s been playing about 130 games a year, and he’d have to be content playing 90-110, injuries aside of course.  I would think he’ll find something more attractive.

I can’t wait to see who finds Eric Bruntlett appealing enough to carry on an opening day roster.

Why do I think of Adam Kennedy when I read this. 

We heard this week that the Orioles are interested in Uggla. Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun suspects that the O’s will opt for a defense-first third baseman instead. Pedro Feliz, Chone Figgins and Adrian Beltre all have reputations as strong defenders, but Figgins and Beltre may be too pricey for the Orioles.

So at least Pedro got a runor.

Onto somewhat of an original subject.  A would be starting pitcher acquisition.  There are starting pitchers (aces) and there are starting pitchers (number 5’s).  I’m not sure what the Phils are looking for.  They may well not know either.  Might depend on when they project Drabek joinng the big club (5 starter at least early on), mght depend on if they are apprehensive about the prospects of Cliff Lee sticking around beyond 2010. 

Soooo, I’ll throw out a guy who maybe kinda sorta would be a tweener, Wandy Rodriguez of old friend Ed Wade’s interested in cutting payroll Houston club.  Looks like he’ll make about 4 mil next year, has definitely improved year over year in his 3 seasons, walks 1 every 3 innngs.  Generally speaking, looks like he’s ready to be a good number 2 guy in a rotation.  I don’t see him as a likely trade acquisition because I think Ruben would have to give up a lot to get him, but to whatever degree Houston ha an economic plight might make it at least possible. All in favor, say aye.

And the subject of Ryan Franklin came up.  If the Phils are thinking along the same lines as Strauss suspects the Cards are, we won’t see some of the names bandied about here the last couple days (Valverde, Rodney).

Joe Strauss: It’s a growing concern after his (Franklin’s) difficult September. Expect the Cardinals to acquire an eighth-inning guy this winter who could move into the closer role in a pinch but would not cause an immediate “closer controversy” upon his arrival.

If by chance you are including me as part of the Feliz lovefest, all I said was I was surprised there wasn’t 1 mention of interest in him from rumor central.  Not defensive, just clarifying. Pete raisd excellent points as to why, and I’ll downgrade my take to mildly surprised.  The way I look at it, when I read that the Giants and Orioles are interested in an Uggla for third base purposes, it just surprises me that the guy can’t even catch a rumor.

It seems to me today’s idea is of Feliz as a utility player here is not realistic at this point.  I still don’t think he’d be anxious to come back as the 3rd baseman for less than what he signed for, but the market will lead us to reality, and that opinion may prove accurate.

Here’s a negative opinion on Polanco if anyone is interested.

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_article/are-phillies-really-considering-placido-polanco/