Philadelphia Phillies News

Now, pressure's on Phillies to play three
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February 8
Philadelphia Inquirer
 columnist Bob Ford
"Welcome to baseball season. Close enough, anyway. Now that the football season, with its standard helping of local frustration, has come to a finish at the annual NFL orgy of excess last night, it is time to look forward to something that might actually have a happy ending here. Pitchers, catchers, and hope report to Clearwater, Fla., again next week and, for one of the few spans in Phillies' history, the flickering hope is warmed by something more than the promise of a coming spring. Shoveling out of the current winter of discontent - made bleaker by the Eagles' disintegration in consecutive games against the Cowboys - the Phillies offer a chance to believe in the possibility of that ..."
Phillies deny signing Japanese relievers
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February 8
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"The Phillies are denying a report that they have signed two Japanese lefthanded relievers to minor league contracts. Japan's Daily Sports Online had reported that the Phillies announced the signings this week with Shigetoshi Yamakita and Naoyo Okamoto, and that they would report to spring training next month in Clearwater, Fla. "The reports online that the Phillies have signed two Japanese pitchers are not accurate," the team said in a statement. "The Phillies have not recently signed any pitchers or position players from Japan.""
Phillies' core group keeps expanding
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February 7
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Before the 2007 season, when there weren't as many banners flying in Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies made a decision: Chase Utley, already an All-Star second baseman, would be their centerpiece player. And they paid him accordingly, locking him up to a seven-year, $85 million extension, the longest guaranteed contract in franchise history. Those were simpler times. Three division crowns, two National League pennants and one elusive World Series championship later, the Phillies' nucleus has multiplied like an amoeba. There haven't been other seven-year deals, but seven everyday players, three starting pitchers and two primary relievers have reached multiyear agreements that leave them ..."
Phils sign southpaws from Far East
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February 7
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Continuing to add depth in the minor leagues, the Phillies have come to terms with two Japanese lefthanded pitchers, according to a report. Shigetoshi Yamakita and Naoyo Okamoto agreed to minor-league contracts with the Phillies, Daily Sports Online (the Web site of a Japanese newspaper) reported on Friday. Both players pitched for the Shonan Searex, a minor-league affiliate of the Yokohama Bay Stars. Yamakita, 32, was 2-1 with a 2.67 ERA in 30 games last season. In 19 games, Okamoto, 26, was 1-0 with a 5.28 ERA. They were both released by the Bay Stars after the 2009 season."
Phils add Villarreal for depth
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February 5
Camden Courier-Post
 
"When the Phillies scouted reliever Oscar Villarreal last Friday in Phoenix, they were reminded of veteran right-hander Rodrigo Lopez. Lopez missed the 2008 season while recovering from elbow surgery, but he signed a minor league deal with the Phillies last winter. And although he wasn't invited to major league camp in spring training, he went 3-1 in five valuable midseason starts when the rotation was decimated by injuries. A year later, the Phillies are hoping Villarreal can provide similar insurance for the bullpen. Villarreal, a 28-year-old right-hander who did not pitch last season after undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery, agreed Thursday to a minor league contract that ..."
Phillies sign reliever Villarreal to minor-league deal
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February 5
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"The Phillies signed reliever Oscar Villarreal to a minor-league deal yesterday. Villarreal, who missed the entire 2009 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, will not be invited to spring training. Villarreal, 28, last pitched in 2008 with Houston when he appeared in 35 games, compiling a 1-3 record with a 5.02 ERA. He was 9-1 with a 3.61 ERA in 58 games for Atlanta in 2006, his best season in the majors. Villarreal, much like other recent signees by the Phillies, is probably ticketed for triple-A Lehigh Valley. In the last few days, the Phillies have also come to terms with outfielder Freddy Guzman, second baseman Luis Maza and pitchers Brian Gordon and Brian Mazone, all on ..."
Phillies sign Villarreal, Purdom to minor league deals
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February 5
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"The Phillies have signed veteran righthander Oscar Villarreal and catcher John Purdom to minor league contracts. Villarreal, 28, missed the 2009 season after having Tommy John surgery on his elbow. He isn't expected to report to spring training until the end of Feburary, his agent told MLB.com. Villarreal pitched six seasons in the big leagues, with the Diamondbacks, Braves and Astros. He is 24-15 with a 3.86 earned run average."
Phillies add pitching depth
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February 4
Wilmington News Journal
 
"Don't mean to distract from your ongoing debate below about Ruben Amaro Jr. (it has been fascinating, by the way, to follow some of your comments), and this certainly isn't stop-the-presses news. But the Phillies have signed right-hander Oscar Villarreal to a minor-league contract. If his name sounds familiar, it's because Villarreal spent a few years in the Braves' bullpen. His best season, in fact, came in 2006 when he finished 9-1 with a 3.61 ERA in 58 appearances (four starts). But Villarreal, 28, hasn't pitched in the majors since 2008 with Houston, which is why his deal didn't include an invite to major-league camp. Thus, like speedy outfielder Freddy Guzman, middle infielder Luis ..."
Phillies add 5 players
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February 4
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"The Phillies have signed five players to minor league contracts -- outfielder Freddy Guzman, righthanders J.C. Ramirez, Drew Naylor and David Herndon and lefthander Mike Zagurski. Guzman, 29, spent last season with the Triple A affiliates of Baltimore, Seattle, Boston and the New York Yankees. In 101 games, he hit .223 with two homers and 17 RBI but stole 45 bases in 54 attempts. A switch-hitter, he has spent parts of four seasons in the big leagues with a .211 average in 47 games. Ramirez was acquired from the Mariners in the Cliff Lee deal."
Phillies announce TV schedule
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February 4
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"All 162 Phillies games during the regular season will be televised, the team said yesterday.Comcast SportsNet will carry 102 games, including the home opener April 12 against the Washington Nationals. The Comcast Network will carry three games in April.MYPHL17 will televise 45 Phils games, including two broadcasts on the road against the New York Yankees, June 15 and 17."
Phillies reach agreements with four pitchers
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February 4
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"The Phillies have continued the countdown to spring training by reaching contract agreements with four pitchers on the 40-man roster: Righthanders David Herndon, J.C. Ramirez and Drew Naylor and lefthander Mike Zagurski.Herndon was selected by the Phillies in the Rule 5 draft at the winter meetings last December in Indianapolis. He was 5-6, 3.03 with 11 saves in 50 games for the Angels Double A Arkansas affiliate last year and impressed Phillies scouts with how well he threw in the Dominican Republic Winter League.Ramirez was acquired from the Mariners, along with Phillippe Aumont and Tyson Gillies, in the Cliff Lee trade. Naylor was 8-11, 4.22 at Class A Clearwater.Zagurski has missed ..."
Phillies add veteran outfielder Guzman
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February 3
MLB.com
 
"The Phillies recently signed veteran outfielder Freddy Guzman to a Minor League contract, though his deal does not include an invitation to Spring Training, a club spokesman confirmed on Wednesday. Guzman spent the 2009 season with the Triple-A affiliates of the Orioles, Mariners, Red Sox and Yankees, while also seeing action in 10 games for the Bronx Bombers -- going 1-for-6 with four stolen bases. In 101 Minor League games last year, the 29-year-old speedster batted .223 with a .272 on-base percentage, two homers, 17 RBIs and was 45-for-54 in steals."
Schmidt, Morandini to be in Clearwater
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February 3
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Former Phillies Mike Schmidt and Mickey Morandini will return to Clearwater, Fla., as guest instructors for the Phils in spring training this year, the team announced yesterday. Hall of Famer Schmidt, 60, will be working his ninth spring as a guest instructor. For Morandini, 43, this will be his second time around as an instructor. The Phillies' spring-training coaching staff will consist of 21 instructors, including manager Charlie Manuel, the major-league coaching staff, the minor-league coordinators, the triple-A coaching staff, and two minor-league instructors. Manuel's coaching staff remains the same from the 2009 season."
Phillies add Schmidt, Morandini at spring training
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February 3
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Mike Schmidt and Mickey Morandini will be guest instructors at spring training, and Charlie Manuel's coaching staff will be unchanged for the 2010 season. It will be the ninth spring stint for Schmidt, 60, who figures to come in handy for Placido Polanco's conversion to third base. Morandini, 43, is a former All-Star second baseman for the Phillies."
Braves, Indians not the best role models for Phillies
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February 3
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist Sam Donnellon
"IN EXPLAINING why he traded Cliff Lee, Ruben Amaro Jr. often explains that he can't do business like the Yankees. The other day, Charlie Manuel explained it through the model used by the Braves in winning 14 straight division titles. "You have to do what we did this winter," he said. "You have to turn some guys over every year." But are the comparisons valid? Not entirely. Yes, the Yankees run a big payroll, and, yes, their contract with CC Sabathia undoubtedly fueled fears that Lee would not settle for anything less than a 5-year deal. But they also refused to part with some prized prospects when there was an opportunity to trade for Johan Santana in November 2007. Yes, the Braves cut ..."
Amaro on Lee trade: 'I'm not a dummy'
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February 2
Wilmington News Journal
 
"Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has heard what fans have been saying. That he should have kept Cliff Lee and that a starting rotation of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Lee would have made the Phils a prohibitive favorite to return to the World Series. "I was talking to some people the other day," Amaro said Monday night at the annual Philadelphia Sports Writers Association banquet, "and I said, 'I'm not a dummy. I know what Cliff Lee means to our rotation in addition to Halladay and Hamels. It's a no-brainer.'" So, if it was a "no-brainer" for the Phillies to keep Lee, why did Amaro trade him to the Seattle Mariners in December for minor league outfielder Tyson Gillies and ..."
Amaro, Manuel defend Lee trade
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February 2
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Ruben Amaro Jr. said he would characterize himself as an "aggressive" general manager. During his first year on the job, he acquired two Cy Young Award-winning pitchers and traded one of them away. He understands that there are plenty who question the last move, dealing Cliff Lee to Seattle for three prospects after acquiring Roy Halladay. Amaro said he told a group of people the other day: "I'm not a dummy. I know what Cliff Lee means to our rotation." But the Phillies executive said he had a strict philosophy to follow. "We cannot be the New York Yankees," Amaro said. "We have to have people that we can bring to the big leagues from our system. The guys who are our core players are guys ..."
Phillies to observe workout of former Giants lefty Lowry
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February 2
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Ruben Amaro Jr. confirmed that the Phillies plan to watch Noah Lowry, who hasn't pitched since 2007 because of a series of arm injuries, when he auditions for scouts in Arizona. That was supposed to happen today, but the session was postponed to give the 29-year-old lefthander more time to prepare. The Phillies general manager last night characterized the team's interest as "moderate." The Astros, Mets, Rangers and Red Sox also are reportedly interested. About half the teams are expected to be represented when he has his open bullpen session. Lowry's agent, Damon Lapa, told the Associated Press that the former Giants No. 1 draft choice hasn't had a setback, but decided it would be to his ..."
Bastardo to get big opportunity this spring
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February 1
Wilmington News Journal
 
"Last year, Antonio Bastardo spent nearly two-thirds of his first 94 days in the majors on the disabled list with a shoulder strain. But when the Phillies needed a second left-handed reliever for the postseason, they had enough confidence to put him on the roster. Imagine, then, the opportunity Bastardo will have this spring. With one spot -- and maybe more, depending on the health of closer Brad Lidge and lefty J.C. Romero -- open in the Phillies' bullpen, Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee will be paying attention to Bastardo during spring training. And fresh off a dominating performance in the Dominican Winter League, he may even be the early favorite to win the job. Bastardo, ..."
Mathieson tries epic comeback with the Phils
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February 1
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Before, when Scott Mathieson just wanted to play catch, it required soaking his right arm in a hot tub for 20 minutes and numerous arm stretches to prepare. Then, after he was finished tossing the ball, he had to ice the arm for 20 more minutes. "It's not like that anymore," Mathieson said this week from Clearwater, Fla., where he lives and works out. "I go out, do my thing, and I'm done. I go home, and my arm doesn't bother me. It's definitely a relief." Mathieson is trying a comeback few pitchers have made. (Eric Gagne and former Phillie Steve Ontiveros are two examples.) Since 2006, he has had three operations on his elbow in three years, including two Tommy John operations. Each time ..."
Wonderful opportunity awaits Phils' Bastardo
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January 31
Camden Courier-Post
 columnist Scott Lauber
"Last year, Antonio Bastardo spent nearly two-thirds of his first 94 days in the majors on the disabled list with a strained shoulder. But when the Phillies needed a second left-handed reliever for the postseason, they had enough confidence to put him on the roster. Imagine, then, the opportunity that will be given to Bastardo this spring. He will have the attention of manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee during spring training. And fresh off a dominating performance in the Dominican Winter League, he might even be the favorite to win the job. Bastardo, 24, posted a 1.50 ERA and six strikeouts in seven innings for los Gigantes del Cibao during the regular season, then fanned ..."
Polanco working on third-base skills
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January 31
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"After Placido Polanco signed a three-year, $18 million contact to return to the Phillies in early December, his focus turned to relearning an old position. This off-season has been a crash course in third-base fundamentals for Polanco, who will make the transition from second back to third. "Without a doubt," Polanco said yesterday of his off-season third-base cram session before signing autographs at Citizens Bank Park. Polanco won a Gold Glove at second base with Detroit in 2009, but the Phillies signed the 34-year-old to play a position he hasn't regularly manned since the 2002 season. He is confident in his abilities at third because he has spent time there before, but Polanco has made ..."
Any role fine with Contreras
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January 29
Camden Courier-Post
 
"wo months ago, Jose Contreras visited Japan to look at a study-abroad program for his 16-year-old stepson. To avoid a lapse in his offseason training, he threw a few bullpen sessions, sparking rumors that he might sign with a Japanese team. Not yet. "He's got quite a few years left in the states," agent Jaime Torres said. To maximize that time, Contreras, a starter for most of his career, says he's willing to pitch out of the bullpen, where he completed last season with the Colorado Rockies. After passing a physical Thursday, the 38-year-old right-hander finalized a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Phillies, who believe he's best suited to be a reliever. "When Colorado told me I ..."
Phils take 'leap of faith,' add Contreras to bullpen
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January 29
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"His preference remains to be a starting pitcher, but Jose Contreras says he is willing to do anything to prolong his career. And for someone who has appeared in just 16 games as a reliever during seven major-league seasons, Contreras is effectively reinventing himself as a 38-year-old pitcher by agreeing to a possible role as a middle reliever. It's amazing what seven games can do to a pitcher's confidence. "When Colorado told me I was going to the bullpen, I wasn't too sure how I would do," Contreras said through his agent, Jaime Torres, who translated. "But everything went fine and I did pretty well." The Phillies officially signed Contreras to a one-year, $1.5 million contract yesterday ..."
Pitcher Contreras willing to take on any role with Phillies
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January 29
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"In his prime, Jose Contreras was a top-of-the-rotation caliber pitcher. But that will not be his role with the Phillies. When the 38-year-old Cuban righthander told Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. he would do anything asked of him, starting or relieving, Amaro felt there was a fit. "I think his quote was, 'I'd be willing to pick up bats if you need me to,' " Amaro joked. "So I think he's pretty much amenable to anything." That flexibility, Amaro decided, was reason enough to bring in the 7-year veteran, who was introduced yesterday after signing a 1-year, $1.5 million deal. The pact was originally reported on Jan. 22. The 6-4, 255-pound Contreras, who spent parts of 2009 with the ..."
Phils take 'leap of faith,' add Contreras to bullpen
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January 29
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"His preference remains to be a starting pitcher, but Jose Contreras says he is willing to do anything to prolong his career. And for someone who has appeared in just 16 games as a reliever during seven major-league seasons, Contreras is effectively reinventing himself as a 38-year-old pitcher by agreeing to a possible role as a middle reliever. It's amazing what seven games can do to a pitcher's confidence. "When Colorado told me I was going to the bullpen, I wasn't too sure how I would do," Contreras said through his agent, Jaime Torres, who translated. "But everything went fine and I did pretty well." The Phillies officially signed Contreras to a one-year, $1.5 million contract yesterday ..."
Phillies, Contreras finalize contract
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January 28
Wilmington News Journal
 
"As expected, right-hander Jose Contreras has finalized a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Phillies, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today. Contreras, 38, is expected to be used as a reliever after going 6-13 with a 4.92 ERA in 28 games (23 starts) last year between the Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies. With the Rockies, he went 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in seven appearances (two starts) and had 17 strikeouts in 17 innings. "Jose is a versatile pitcher who will likely get stretched out in spring training as a starter, but our scouts feel he is best suited for a significant role in the bullpen," Amaro said in a statement. "His competitiveness and durability are pluses and ..."
How will pitching prospect Aumont measure up for Phillies?
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January 28
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"To get Roy Halladay, the Phillies had to give up Kyle Drabek. This was wrenching, in part, because the organization had a good deal invested in the former No. 1 draft pick, as well as outfielder Michael Taylor and catcher Travis D'Arnaud. To make it a little more palatable, the Phils then engineered a little switcheroo. They turned around and got three prospects from the Mariners - Phillippe Aumont, Tyson Gillies and J.C. Ramirez - for Cliff Lee. The new guys were in town yesterday to participate in the Phillies' first Rookie Education Program. And Aumont stood head and shoulders above the group. Literally. He's 6-7, 225 pounds with a fastball that hit 97 mph in the Arizona Fall League. ..."
Hearing loss hasn't slowed Phillies prospect Gillies
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January 28
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"HIS PARENTS suspected something was wrong. Every time they took little Tyson Gillies to have his hearing checked, though, the doctors couldn't find anything wrong. Then, when Gillies was 4, they closed the curtain between him and the specialist while he was being tested. Busted. "I was actually born with [30 percent hearing in one ear and 60 percent in the other]," the 21-year-old outfielder, who was acquired by the Phillies from the Seattle Mariners organization as part of the Roy Halladay trade, said yesterday. "But they didn't realize I was hearing impaired until I was 4. I was able to fool the guy because I was reading lips at a young age." Gillies was at Citizens Bank Park yesterday ..."
Ruiz reaps his rewards
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January 27
Camden Courier-Post
 
"When he talks about his role with the Phillies, Carlos Ruiz often begins with the same two words. "My pitchers . . ." As a catcher, Ruiz understands his primary responsibilities are to call a game and aid the Phillies' pitchers in recording outs. He feels pride in their success and absorbs blame when they falter. And over the past two seasons, he has gained the pitchers' respect and forged a reputation as one of the majors' top defensive catchers. So, in only his first year of arbitration, the Phillies agreed to give Ruiz a three-year, $8.85 million contract extension that became final Tuesday when he passed a physical. "You talk to (pitching coach Rich) Dubee or (manager) Charlie (Manuel) ..."
Manuel slim, rested and ready
Comment
January 27
Camden Courier-Post
 
"After leading the Phillies on back-to-back protracted runs to the World Series, Charlie Manuel needed a vacation from baseball. So, he spent this winter playing golf, fishing, completing extensive renovations of his nearly 4,000-square foot house in Winter Haven, Fla., and continuing a weight-loss program that has helped him slim down to 228 pounds. But, six weeks ago, he found time to call Cliff Lee. Lee, who went 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in the postseason and won twice in the World Series, had just been traded to Seattle for three prospects in a move that corresponded with the deal that landed Roy Halladay from Toronto. Manuel understood the Phillies' reasons for trading Lee, who may command ..."
Phillies' Manuel melts away the pounds
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January 27
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Charlie Manuel doesn't know his new suit size yet. The one he wore to yesterday's news conference at Citizens Bank Park was the only clean suit he had. He tried on some old jackets and they dwarfed him. The Phillies' manager now weighs 58 pounds less than he did during the 2009 season. After Manuel, who is preparing for his sixth season as Phillies manager, saw an old photo of himself the other day, he realized how drastic his lifestyle had changed. "My stomach was over my belt," said Manuel, who stands 6-4. "I went, 'That's a pretty big gut.' I was carrying around a lot of weight." Manuel, 66, said he now weighs 228 pounds, down from 286, after beginning a regular diet and exercise ..."
Ruiz puts his name on a new contract
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January 27
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Before the 2005 season, when Carlos Ruiz was first placed on the Phillies' 40-man roster, his agent, Marc Kligman, went to Clearwater, Fla., during spring training to see Ruiz. He helped the then-26-year-old catcher open his first bank account. Then they went to a Men's Wearhouse to buy some travel clothes with Ruiz's first credit card. "He would call me in California with questions like, 'How do I use the ATM?' " Kligman said. So, yes, the three-year, $8.85 million contract Ruiz signed yesterday represented another milestone in what has been a remarkable rise for the Panamanian catcher. "When you're a little kid, you want to be a professional," Ruiz said. "I never thought one day I would ..."
Hamels is most important Phillie this season
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January 27
Philadelphia Inquirer
 columnist John Gonzalez
"When last we saw Cole Hamels, the bright lights were less than flattering to him. The guy is no wider than a fungo bat and had just finished saying some things about as dense as one. After Game 3 of the World Series, Hamels said he couldn't "wait for [the season] to end. It's been mentally draining." Then he added he was eager for a "fresh start." That prompted teammate and known knucklehead Brett Myers to walk past him in the clubhouse and quip something on the order of, "What are you doing here? I thought you quit." Myers said he was joking. And of course we all believed him, because when you think of high comedy, Ol' Escalade Myers and his world-renowned stand-up act immediately come to ..."
Slimmer Manuel still a straight-talker
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January 27
Philadelphia Inquirer
 columnist Phil Sheridan
"Charlie Manuel is slimmer, not slicker. His sports coat might need altering after his 50-plus-pound weight loss, but nothing's going to alter the manager's no-bull nature. In his first news conference since the Phillies' apocalyptic Roy Halladay/Cliff Lee double switch, Manuel was anything but politically correct. He sounded like most Phillies fans when asked if he would have liked to go into the season with both aces on his staff, plus Cole Hamels. "Of course, it would have been nice to have Halladay, Lee, and Hamels," Manuel said. "I'd be looking good. As a matter of fact, I might be buying more expensive furniture than the missus has been buying lately." Yes, it's a lot easier to manage ..."
Manuel discusses Cliff Lee, pitching, depth
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January 27
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Given a chance to step back and ponder the World Series defeat at the hands of the New York Yankees, Charlie Manuel decided one thing: His team can play better. "It seemed like the patterns of the games, we were always trying to catch up," the Phillies' manager said. "It's not like we were loafing. They got some good breaks. But we didn't play our best baseball. We can beat them. At the end of the World Series, when I talked to the team, I told them, 'We owe the Yankees one.' They got us." Manuel, who has spent this off-season golfing and fishing while losing close to 60 pounds, emerged from his baseball exile yesterday to deliver his state of the Phillies' off-season address at Citizens ..."
Phillies reward Ruiz for relaxation
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January 27
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Roy Halladay has a Cy Young. Cole Hamels has a World Series MVP. Brad Lidge has a perfect season. Joe Blanton signed a 3-year contract that nearly triples his previous salary. But to Carlos Ruiz, they are just his pitchers. When they struggle, he struggles. When they rejoice, so does he. "That's the part that makes me more relaxed when I call the game," the Phillies catcher said yesterday, when he put the finishing touches on a 3-year, $8.85 million contract with a $5 million club option for 2013. "Because I know that they trust me and they know what I am doing behind the plate." If there is one word to sum up the transformation that the Phillies have seen out of Ruiz over the past few ..."
Can Phillies' Hamels handle the curves?
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January 27
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist Rich Hofmann
"IN THE BACK of "The Bill James Handbook 2010," where the author predicts the future based on the numbers of the past, they occupy consecutive lines on a page: Roy Halladay followed immediately by Cole Hamels. That sounds about right, alphabetically and otherwise. James sees Hamels having a bounce-back season in 2010, and there is every reason to believe he is correct. James sees Halladay and Hamels winning 32 games and pitching 450 innings between them, which the Phillies would sign up for immediately if given the chance. Out of just two arms, it would be about one-third of what they would need to win the National League East again. If it happens, the Cliff Lee conversation will fade in ..."
Phillies manager Manuel cuts through fat, wants rematch with Yankees
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January 27
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"LIKE YOU, Charlie Manuel had an opinion. Unlike you, he had a chance to express it to the Phillies' front office. But in his first official briefing with the media since the Phillies lost to the Yankees in Game 6 of the World Series, Manuel said that he understood the circumstances that led to the decision to trade Cliff Lee to the Mariners rather than keep him with lefthander Cole Hamels and newcomer Roy Halladay for a star-studded shot at a second title in 3 years. "Of course, it would have been nice to have Halladay, Lee, Hamels," Manuel said yesterday. "I'd be looking good. I might be buying more expensive furniture than me and [girlfriend] Missy have been buying lately." But . . . ..."
Utley sees a need for days off
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January 26
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Given the statistical and anecdotal evidence that suggests Chase Utley's body wears down as the baseball season drones on, Charlie Manuel has attempted to give him a few breathers in recent years. Each time, the Phillies second baseman has stared a hole through his manager. "Before, I gave Charlie a hard time when he tried to give me a day off," Utley said Monday while stopping by Citizens Bank Park. "Now, I might not give him as hard a time." Don't count on it. It has been a restful winter for Utley, who moved to San Francisco to be closer to his wife's family, vacationed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and spent last weekend in the Cayman Islands at Jimmy Rollins' wedding. Yet, when he ..."
Phillies' Utley enjoying off-season
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January 26
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Last off-season was a race against the clock for Chase Utley. Having undergone hip surgery weeks after the Phillies won the World Series, he spent the entire time in Philadelphia, going through long rehab sessions so he could make it back in time for opening day. So, consider this off-season a chance to make up for lost vacation time. "It's good to get away from baseball a little bit," Utley said yesterday at Citizens Bank Park. "Last year, I was here every day. It's nice to be away from that for a short period of time. I've been able to do a lot more activities this off-season." Utley is in town for a few days this week to participate in various charity and community events for the ..."
Utley backs Halladay trade, thinks Phillies are slightly better in 2010
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January 26
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"INDIVIDUAL POSTSEASON records are perhaps the most fleeting of all athletic accomplishments. They do not hand out rings for milestones, nor are losers lionized. Would we remember Reggie Jackson as "Mr. October" if the Yankees had lost the 1977 World Series? More pertinent, would we remember Chase Utley as "Mr. October" if the Phillies had won the 2009 championship? It is easy to forget what Utley accomplished this past postseason, tying Jackson's World Series record with five home runs in the six-game loss to the Yankees, moving into a tie for 10th place all-time with seven home runs, jumping ahead of Jackson for fifth place with a .795 slugging percentage in 49 career World Series plate ..."
Rest may be best for Phillies second baseman Utley
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January 26
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist Sam Donnellon
"THIS OFFSEASON, the Phillies signed Placido Polanco, a second baseman by trade, to play third. Then they signed Juan Castro, a shortstop by upbringing, but a utility man by trade. The idea was to give their two middle infielders a blow every now and then, and especially their second baseman, whose stellar career has been marked by a late-season statistical decline. "It might be beneficial," Chase Utley said yesterday. "But we all want to be out there every day, whether we're performing good or bad." That's always been the problem. Utley has wanted in no matter how badly he felt, no matter how poorly he was hitting, no matter what the grind might do to him in the long run. This infield idea ..."
Phils, Ruiz set to finalize 3-year contract extension
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January 25
Camden Courier-Post
 
"A few days after the Phillies clinched their third straight NL East championship, team president David Montgomery sat in his office at Citizens Bank Park and admitted catcher Carlos Ruiz may be his favorite player. "I think Carlos knows I'm kind of partial to him," Montgomery said with a smile. Now, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, Ruiz is about to receive a three-year contract extension. Team officials wouldn't comment Sunday night because the deal is pending a physical, but according to the Phillies' official Web site, Ruiz will be guaranteed $8.85 million and will have a $5 million club option (or a $500,000 buyout) for 2013. The source couldn't verify terms of the ..."
Why moving Lee was right move at right time for Phillies
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January 25
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist Bill Conlin
"LIKE IT OR NOT, Charlie Manuel will be using a six-man starting rotation this season. Five pitchers will be wearing Phillies uniforms. Starter No. 6 will be reluctantly wearing the colors of the Seattle Mariners. Cliff Lee will spend the season having his results compared with those of Roy Halladay, the ace who shockingly replaced him in a complex deal that wound up involving four teams, two former Cy Young Award winners, and six significant minor league prospects. It will be the ultimate what-if-woulda-coulda-shoulda debate. And the Greek Chorus will thunder, "Why not both? . . . Why not both? . . . Why not both? . . . " Nearly 2 months after one of the biggest and most puzzling ..."
Phillies and Ruiz agree to 3-year deal and avoid arbitration
Comment
January 25
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"There will be no arbitration hearings for the Phillies this year. The Phillies have agreed on a 3-year, $8.5 million deal with catcher Carlos Ruiz that will become official after a physical, according to the team's Web site. Ruiz' agent, Marc Kligman, could not be reached for comment. The deal includes a $5 million club option for 2013, which would be Ruiz' first year of free agency. The Panama native has started 292 games behind the plate over the last three seasons. Phillies pitchers posted a 4.00 ERA with Ruiz behind the plate last season, 1 year after they posted a 3.82 ERA."
Caught up: Phils reach 3-year deal with Ruiz
Comment
January 25
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"As expected, the Phillies are ready to reward catcher Carlos Ruiz with a multiyear contract. Ruiz and the Phillies have agreed on a three-year deal worth close to $9 million, according to a report by CSNPhilly.com. The deal is contingent on a physical; Phillies' officials were not available for comment. Ruiz's agent, Marc Kligman, did not respond to requests for comment. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said last week that they were optimistic about completing a long-term agreement with Ruiz soon. Ruiz, who turned 31 on Friday, has caught all but two innings for the Phils in the last two postseasons - and he has made a name for himself ..."
Victorino's defense helps him get deal
Comment
January 24
Camden Courier-Post
 
"A few years ago, when Aaron Rowand still ran into walls for the Phillies, someone told then-general manager Pat Gillick that his kamikaze center fielder had one of the best "zone ratings" in the majors. "I knew he was a good center fielder," Gillick said. "I didn't know his zone rating." The Phillies still aren't hip to new-age defensive metrics, at least compared to teams like the Boston Red Sox, who paid more attention this offseason to UZR (ultimate zone rating) and DRS (defensive runs saved) than RBIs or OBP (on-base percentage). Realizing they won't catch the Yankees if they don't catch the ball, the Sox got defensive, adding third baseman Adrian Beltre, center fielder Mike Cameron ..."
Not exactly a Ferrari, but Blanton is reliable
Comment
January 24
Philadelphia Inquirer
 columnist Bob Ford
"Dependability and predictability are great qualities for a baseball starting pitcher, and the way Ruben Amaro Jr. sees it, Joe Blanton is the roster equivalent of a washing machine that earns a solid "good" from Consumer Reports. Maybe there are models out there that look better on the showroom floor. Maybe some can deliver brighter colors and crisper whites. But throw the switch on the Blantonator and the clothes will get washed. "We know what we're going to get," Amaro said when the Phillies signed Blanton to a three-year, $24 million contract last week. If that sounds like thin praise, not exactly the gushing that accompanied the December trade for Roy Halladay, it is anything but. ..."
Padres adding Matt Stairs
Comment
January 24
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Veteran left-handed hitter Matt Stairs is joining the Padres with a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training. Stairs, who will be 42 in February, will serve the Padres as a pinch-hitter and a designated hitter for interleague games if he makes the major league club. Stairs hit .199 with five homers and 17 RBI in 103 at-bats over 99 games last season for Philadelphia. Stairs' 62 at-bats as a pinch-hitter tied for the fourth most in the National League."