Phillies Trade Rumors

Cool solution for hot corner - Greg Dobbs
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July 1
Tacoma News Tribune
 columnist John McGrath
"Before I suggest a low-maintenance replacement for the high-stress position usually occupied by Adrian Beltre, please meet Charles "Piano Legs" Hickman. OK, you can't meet Hickman, as he has been dead for 75 years. But his struggles should be a warning of the hazards that await any novice attempting to follow in his footsteps. In 1900, with the New York Giants, Hickman committed 86 errors. Actually, Piano Legs committed 87 - one in the outfield, and the other 86 at third base. It remains the single-season record for defensive ineptitude and explains why putting any old player at third base (or any young player, for that matter) might not be such a good idea. The ball will find you at ..."
Ibanez unlikely to return from DL Friday
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June 30
MLB.com
 
"Phillies left fielder Raul Ibanez said last week that his strained left groin feels much better. But while it has improved, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said, "One day he can be doing great, and another day not as great. We have to keep our minds open there." Ibanez is eligible to be activated from the disabled list Friday against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park, but that is unlikely to happen. Amaro said Ibanez will see team physician Michael Ciccotti again this week. "We'll re-evaluate him and see whether he's physically able to start some type of rehab," Amaro said."
Report: Phillies Player Fights With Rays Fan
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June 27
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Still in the process of gathering information about this, but evidently, a Phillies player got into an altercation with a fan after Thursday night's game at Tropicana Field. The police reportedly were involved. The identity of the player is not yet known. The story was initially reported by the St. Petersburg Times."
Ten ball clubs that can add payroll
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June 22
SI.com
 
"Baseball is doing better than most businesses. But you know something's amiss when even the Yankees are claiming they can't add salary or expand their payroll. Ultimately, the $200 million team just might find a few mil in the seat cushions. But for now anyway, they're saying they are tapped out. The same may be true for the Cubs, yet another storied big-market club that may not spend this summer. The Cubs' situation could be compromised by the glacial pace of the team's sale. At present, their player dealings appear to be in the same sort of limbo as the sale, meaning their big in-season acquisition may be limited to recovering star Aramis Ramirez. The Rangers also are believed to have ..."
Lidge on verge of a comeback
Comment
June 22
Camden Courier-Post
 
"When the Phillies face the Tampa Bay Rays in a 2008 World Series rematch Tuesday night in St. Petersburg, Fla., Brad Lidge will be about 25 miles away, pitching for the team's Class A club in Clearwater, Fla. By Wednesday, though, he hopes to be back in the majors. Lidge, the injured closer, is on the verge of returning from a strained right knee that has placed him on the disabled list since June 9. After throwing a scoreless inning Saturday night at Double-A Reading, he will travel with the Phillies tonight, make at least one appearance for Clearwater and be evaluated before Wednesday's game. "(General manager) Ruben (Amaro Jr.) has been great about saying, "We want you to be 100 percent ..."
Lidge 'very happy' with rehab in Reading
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June 21
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Phillies closer Brad Lidge made his first rehabilitation appearance, pitching one scoreless inning for the Reading Phillies in tonight's game against the visiting Harrisburg Senators.After he left the game, Lidge said he felt no pain in his sprained right knee."The big thing for me is to go out there and push off my back leg and make sure it feels good and I did that today and it did feel good so I was very happy with my outing," he said.Lidge is on the 15-day disabled list and is eligible to be activated on Tuesday.The Phillies begin a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday in St. Petersburg. Lidge will travel with the team, but he is planning at least one more minor ..."
MRI on Ibanez's injury shows it's just a strain
Comment
June 20
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"A sense of relief wafted through the Phillies' clubhouse yesterday after it was learned an MRI on Raul Ibanez showed his groin injury was no more severe than the team announced on Thursday.A club spokesman said before last night's game against Baltimore the results of the MRI were consistent with the original diagnosis - a strained left groin.Ibanez, who ranks third in the majors in home runs (22) and runs batted in (59) and is batting .312, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday. The 37-year-old leftfielder is undergoing rehabilitation treatments."I'm feeling better," Ibanez said. "I expect to continue to progress."Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Ibanez probably won't swing ..."
Lidge throws without pain
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June 19
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"In his second bullpen session since he went on the 15-day disabled list, Brad Lidge threw more than three dozen pain-free pitches yesterday. Afterward, he said his right knee felt fine."I threw 42 pitches and put something on them, and I felt really good again, so that's pretty darn encouraging," Lidge said. "We have to kind of see how I feel when I wake up."If the Phillies' closer does not experience swelling or inflammation this morning, he could be headed for a minor-league rehabilitation assignment, perhaps as soon as tonight in Reading. The earliest Lidge could come off the disabled list is Tuesday, when the Phillies play at Tampa Bay."If he feels 100 percent, we'll probably start him ..."
Phillies GM looking for pitching
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June 16
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"After playing three extra-innings games last week and enduring a 95-minute rain delay on Saturday night, the Phillies got a much-needed day away from the ballpark yesterday.Ruben Amaro Jr. did not.The Phillies' general manager is happy with his team's place in the standings - four games up on the New York Mets in the National League East - but he knows there's work to be done.A look at the stat sheet confirms that.The Phils lead the NL in runs (337), homers (90), and combined on-base and slugging percentage (.804). They have the best fielding percentage in the league (.990) and highest average home attendance (43,658).The pitching picture is not as pretty.The Phils rank 15th out of 16 NL ..."
Phillies' first pick way down at No. 75
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June 9
Camden Courier-Post
 
"There are two things Phillies Scouting Director Marti Wolever can say with 100 percent certainty regarding today's major league baseball draft. San Diego State University right-hander Stephen Strasburg will be the first player selected, and he won't be going to the Phillies. "Not unless everybody one through 74 passes on him," Wolever said Monday at a news conference. For the first time since 2005, the Phillies will need to wait until the second round of the draft to make their first pick -- at 75th overall. By then, the Arizona Diamondbacks already will have selected seven players. The reason, of course, is Raul Ibanez. As compensation for signing Ibanez to a three-year, free-agent ..."
Phillies look beyond first draft round
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June 9
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Much of the attention surrounding Major League Baseball's draft, which begins tonight and runs through Thursday, will be focused on the first round. It's only natural.San Diego State righthander Stephen Strasburg, he of the triple-digit fastball, is expected to be the first overall pick, by the Washington Nationals. The hype and buzz surrounding Strasburg has been incredible. There isn't a scout in America who hasn't predicted stardom for him, and you can bet a number of other future stars will come out of the first round, as well.The Phillies will not be part of the first-round fun this year. They forfeited their first-round selection, the 27th, to Seattle when they signed free agent Raul ..."
Phillies looking to score in draft, even without first-round pick
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June 9
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"So, yeah, technically the Phillies won't have a first-round pick when baseball's annual amateur draft cranks up.The reality, of course, is that they made that selection last December by signing Raul Ibanez, forfeiting their choice as compensation. And nobody is going to argue with that, not with Ibanez batting .329 with 19 home runs, a league-leading 54 RBI and the most votes of all National League outfielders in the All-Star balloting.The Phillies will have to sit around for a couple hours tonight before they have the opportunity to claim a player with the 75th overall selection. It won't be the first time, either. In 2005, they gave up their first-rounder for signing Jon Lieber. In 2003 ..."
Phillies have bargaining chips in search for pitching
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June 7
Philadelphia Inquirer
 columnist Jim Salisbury
"The calendar has turned to June and the Phillies are in first place in the National League East.Once upon a time, this might have brought a level of contentment to the organization. First place in June. Let's ride it and see where it takes us.The philosophy changed last year - for the better - when the Phils won the World Series. The core of that team is still intact and organization leaders are still very much in a win-now mode. That's why the team is out there looking for another starting pitcher.There's a chance the Phils could get to the postseason with the pitching they have. But they can't take the chance of coming up short, not with this ripened nucleus of players. And beyond the ..."
Philly shows interest in Boston's Penny
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June 6
MLB.com
 
"The Phillies have been playing good baseball for three weeks, and pitching is a big reason why.They had won 16 of 20 games entering Friday night's game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. The pitching staff had a 3.86 ERA in that stretch (it had a 5.36 ERA before that), and Phillies starters are 7-0 with a 2.72 ERA in the seven games since Brett Myers left a May 27 game against the Marlins with a hip injury that likely ended his season. But it is no secret Philadelphia continues to look for starting pitching help. A scout for a Major League team said the Phillies have been following Red Sox right-hander Brad Penny recently. ESPN.com reported recently that the Phillies called the Red Sox ..."
High-flying Bastardo gets another start
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June 6
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Rookie Antonio Bastardo will get his second start tomorrow against the Dodgers, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said yesterday.But who knows when Bastardo will settle down from the excitement of his major-league debut Tuesday against San Diego?Bastardo, 23, gave up only one run in six innings to earn the victory."I think it might take him two or three starts to kind of slow the adrenaline down," Manuel said. "He was wound up, but wound up in a good way. He definitely wasn't scared."There is some concern about Bastardo's relying too much on his fastball."He was very gutty. He went right at them, mostly with his fastball," Manuel said. "He's going to have to start getting his slider and ..."
Victorino sits again with sore hip, but Phillies think he'll play Saturday
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June 6
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Shane Victorino sat at his locker yesterday with a large package of ice wrapped around his left hip and lower abdominal area.The centerfielder was out of the lineup for the second straight night with what has officially been diagnosed as a left hip sprain, but he said he has a good chance of starting this afternoon in the third game of a four-game series against the Dodgers."I won't say, 'Yeah' [for sure]," said Victorino, who injured the hip while rounding first base on a double in the first inning against the Padres on Wednesday, "but I think so."Victorino participated in the same sprinting and agility drills that he performed before the Phillies' 3-0 win over the Dodgers on Thursday ..."
Eyre expects to retire at end of season
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June 3
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Scott Eyre said yesterday that he was "more than 90 percent" sure he would retire at the end of this season.Eyre, 37, is a veteran of 13 major-league seasons and will be a free agent after this year.In 597 career games before last night, he was 26-30 with a 4.33 earned run average in 632 innings. All but 32 of his appearances were as a reliever.Eyre was 0-1 with a 2.84 ERA in 122/3 innings this year."My wife is probably ready for me to be home," said Eyre, who has two sons, ages 8 and 10. "I've been playing for 13 years, and it's basically all she's ever known. We'll talk about it at the end of the year, but as of now I would say, yeah, I'll retire."Having played for six teams, Eyre said ..."
With Myers on the shelf, Philly's in search of starting pitching
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June 1
SI.com
 
"The Phillies were scouring the trade market for starting pitching help even before Brett Myers became the latest big-name casualty with the increasingly fashionable torn hip labrum. Teammate Chase Utley beat the four-month prediction for him to return from the same injury, but Phillies people understandably worry that it may be more difficult for a pitcher to come back as quickly. In any case, the world champions are aiming high now in their quest for a starter, with Jake Peavy appearing to top their list of desirable aces, perhaps followed by Roy Oswalt, Cliff Lee and Erik Bedard. Ruben Amaro, the Phillies' aggressive new GM, understands better than anyone that this is a win-now team, one ..."
Peavy would be perfect for Phils
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June 1
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Reports from San Diego said righthander Jake Peavy will make his scheduled start tomorrow against the visiting Phillies, despite being bothered by tendinitis in his right ankle.Padres manager Bud Black said the ankle has improved and Peavy "feels confident it's not going to affect him." Black added that "it's always great to have that caliber of pitcher making his start."Peavy is 5-5 with a 3.57 ERA but has won his last three starts after going a month without a victory.Peavy's numbers belie his skills. The 2007 Cy Young Award winner fits the Phillies' needs so perfectly - a bulldog-tough righthanded counterpart to lefty Cole Hamels - it's as if he was created wearing red pinstripes.Forget ..."
With Myers out, Phils to go after difference-maker
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May 30
Foxsports.com
 
"Don't look for the Phillies to make an immediate trade for a starting pitcher now that right-hander Brett Myers is out for the season. Rather than obtain a short-term fix such as Red Sox right-hander Brad Penny, the Phillies likely will try to acquire more of a difference-maker before the July 31 non-waiver deadline. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told FOXSports.com on Friday that the Phillies are not flexible enough financially to add multiple starting pitchers. The team essentially has one move to make, and would prefer to be it for a top-of-the-rotation type such as Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard or Astros righty Roy Oswalt Jr. The Red Sox, according to a source with knowledge of the ..."
Trade market for pitchers confronts Philly
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May 30
ESPN.com
 
"Weeks ago, the Phillies began the process of evaluating the market for starting pitching. Chan Ho Park, their No. 5 starter, was struggling, and so was 46-year-old wonder Jamie Moyer. The Phillies felt they had to start preparing for the possibility that they might need a veteran starting pitcher. But now their need for a starting pitcher is acute, and probably immediate, because Brett Myers needs hip surgery. So the front office must now decide when a move should and will happen, especially so they can keep the window open for winning, as Jim Salisbury writes. There are a range of avenues for the Phillies to explore, but in the end, there are probably very few reasonable options. They ..."
Phillies' hitting potent, but rotation needs addressing
Comment
May 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"As was the case in most of the 1980s, this is proving to be a dynasty-free decade in baseball. There wasn't a lot of talk about the Philadelphia Phillies or Tampa Bay Rays being capable of a run after they went to the World Series in October, and the three-tiered playoff system makes for long odds against any except the most dominant teams. Two months in, though, don't count out the Phillies. They are going to be really dangerous if they ever sort out their starting pitching. Charlie Manuel's defending champs had managed to lead the National League East eight days in a row before slipping a half-game behind the Mets entering the weekend. They did this despite a starting rotation with a ..."
Hip surgery likely for Phillies starter Myers
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May 29
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"ONE OF THE KEY aspects of the Phillies' title run last season was their impeccable health. If they are to make a title defense, however, they will have at least one hurdle to clear.Barring an unexpected prognosis from hip specialist Bryan Kelly, Phillies righthander Brett Myers is headed toward hip surgery and a 3-to-4 month recovery. Should Myers undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum, he is optimistic that he could return to the field in time to participate in the playoffs, should the Phillies advance that far.Myers' injury is similar to the one that second baseman Chase Utley experienced, according to Myers' agent, Craig Landis. In fact, the Phillies are currently in the process of ..."
Peavy's agent comments on Philly
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May 28
MLB.com
 
"If the Phillies decide they need starting pitching help before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, the hottest name available would be San Diego Padres right-hander Jake Peavy.But would Peavy play in Philadelphia? "I have not discussed Philly with Jake because nobody has asked us to discuss Philly," said Peavy's agent, Barry Axelrod.Peavy has a full no-trade clause, which means he can veto any trade. He recently vetoed a trade to the Chicago White Sox. Of course, to get to that point, the Phillies and Padres first would have to agree on the talent the Phillies would send to the Padres, which would be considerable. The Phillies also would have to be willing to take on the remaining $63 ..."
Trade winds begin as a breeze
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May 27
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Last week's Jake Peavy(notes) near-trade demonstrated that not only will the Padres' ace dictate his relocation terms, but that the annual swapping season will heat up well before the July 31 trading deadline. Here are some developments to watch in the coming days and weeks: • The New York Mets retain keen interest in Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson(notes), to the point where the Nationals have scouts watching the Mets' Triple-A team in Buffalo, N.Y., and Double-A team in Binghamton, N.Y., evaluating pitchers Jon Niese, Mike Antonini and Eddie Kunz(notes) among others. The Mets need a first baseman because Carlos Delgado(notes) could be out for two months after hip surgery. ..."
No moves for Phillies until Romero returns
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May 26
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"J.C. Romero arrived at Citizens Bank Park yesterday, he noticed some teammates wearing T-shirts emblazoned with a countdown to the day he is eligible to return from his 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.As of today, the number of games remaining sits at seven. When Romero does return on June 3, the Phillies will have to make some roster decisions. Manager Charlie Manuel said over the weekend that he plans to keep outfielder John Mayberry Jr. around for the foreseeable future. But once Romero is activated, the Phillies will be forced to either send the righthanded slugger back to Triple A Lehigh Valley or part with one of the seven relievers currently on the ..."
Hamels may sit vs. Cards
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May 3
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Cole Hamels' highly anticipated bullpen session Saturday produced the typical good-news/bad-news scenario for the Phillies. The good news: Hamels threw well and felt only sporadic soreness in his sprained left ankle, according to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. And the bad news: Hamels may not be ready to pitch this week in St. Louis. "It's very possible he would not make that start," Amaro said of Tuesday night's game against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. "A lot of it depends on how he feels (today), whether he can move well enough and have enough agility. "He could probably pitch if he just stood on the mound and didn't do anything but pitch, but that's not how it works. We have to ..."
Lidge learns why his knee is ailing
Comment
May 2
Camden Courier-Post
 
"As he walked across the outfield grass en route to the Phillies' dugout after his bullpen session Friday, closer Brad Lidge stopped to consult pitching coach Rich Dubee about his flawed delivery, not his balky right knee. That, Lidge said, was a good sign. Turns out Lidge's knee problem is the result of improper mechanics, a conclusion he drew after throwing about 30 pitches in the bullpen a few hours before Friday night's game at Citizens Bank Park. And because mechanics can be corrected, the Phillies' closer said he "will be able to avoid the (disabled list)" and "absolutely" will be ready to pitch today against the New York Mets. Lidge, who said he was "definitely relieved" to learn his ..."
Hamels throws on side, called 'fine' for next start
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April 26
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Cole Hamels threw his normal between-starts bullpen session yesterday without a problem, according to Phillies' pitching coach Rich Dubee."Everything went fine," Dubee said. "He was able to throw all of his pitches. He is on schedule to start on Tuesday" against Washington.While Hamels declined to comment on his status, manager Charlie Manuel indicated his ace was "fine," after receiving anfrom Dubee."I listen to my pitching coach," Manuel said. "I know when I was a hitting coach that I didn't like anybody messing with my hitters. I rely on what my pitching coach tells me."Hamels was hit on the back of his left shoulder by a Prince Fielder line drive in the fourth inning of Thursday's 6-1 ..."
Phillies talk to Sheffield's agent
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April 3
Camden Courier-Post
 
"As expected, Gary Sheffield cleared waivers Thursday, and his agent had another conversation with Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. But there weren't any indications that a deal may be imminent. Rufus Williams, Sheffield's Chicago-based agent, said several teams have shown interest in the 40-year-old slugger. Williams said "playing is important" to Sheffield, who has no reservations about playing the outfield after spending most of the past two seasons as a designated hitter with the Detroit Tigers. But the Phillies would use Sheffield primarily as a right-handed pinch-hitter. The Cincinnati Reds view Sheffield in a similar role and also planned to speak with him Thursday. "We're ..."
Reds join Phillies in running for Gary Sheffield
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April 2
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Cincinnati Reds wrapped up training camp with an overture to Gary Sheffield. Manager Dusty Baker said today that he's interested in adding Sheffield - a friend for many years - to the roster. The trouble is that he can't offer regular playing time to the 40-year-old free agent, who is hoping for a full-time job and a multiyear deal. Baker got permission from general manager Walt Jocketty to call Sheffield and see whether he would consider the Reds, who don't have a starting job open. Sheffield, who was released by the Tigers on Tuesday, could start in leftfield when the Reds are facing a left-handed pitcher, fill in at first base on occasion and pinch-hit. "I don't even know if we're ..."
Jenkins released; Phils eye options
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April 1
Camden Courier-Post
 
"In one breath, Ruben Amaro Jr. praised outfielder Geoff Jenkins for his character and his value as a teammate. In the next, he admitted the Phillies are interested in Gary Sheffield. A few hours before Tuesday night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Phillies released the lefty-hitting Jenkins, a move that will require them to pony up as much as $7.6 million of the $8 million left on his contract. The Phillies would like to replace him with a right-handed hitter, and Sheffield was released unexpectedly Tuesday by the Detroit Tigers. But while Amaro said the Phillies have contacted the 40-year-old slugger and his agent, it's unlikely that Sheffield would be a good fit. He has played ..."
Phillies unlikely to pursue Sheffield
Comment
April 1
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Gary Sheffield was one of the preeminent righthanded sluggers of his generation, and the Phillies need a righty bat for their bench.Yesterday, they released a lefthanded slugger, Geoff Jenkins.Although neither side would eliminate the possibility of the 40-year-old Sheffield's becoming a Phillie, multiple team sources told The Inquirer that the chances of signing him are, in the words of one official, "very slim."General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. would say only that the parties had spoken yesterday after Sheffield was released by the Detroit Tigers. Amaro declined to say if he knew whether Sheffield would accept a part-time role.Rufus Williams, Sheffield's agent, was also noncommittal. "As ..."
Phils release Jenkins, eye Sheffield
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March 31
MLB.com
 
"With less than a week until Opening Day, the Phillies released veteran outfielder Geoff Jenkins on Tuesday and have begun a pursuit of slugger Gary Sheffield, who was released earlier in the day. The left-handed-hitting Jenkins hit .250 in 11 Grapefruit League games, with one homer and five RBIs. Last season, his lone campaign with the Phillies, Jenkins hit .246 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in 115 games. Jenkins, who spent his first 10 Major League seasons in Milwaukee, has 221 career home runs. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the World Series champions have reached out to the agent for Sheffield, who was unexpectedly released by the Tigers. The Phils have been on the hunt for a ..."
Looks like Feliz will be back for Phillies' opener
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March 26
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Toronto's Alex Rios turned on a pitch from Chan Ho Park and ripped it down the third base line. It zipped over the base and headed for the leftfield corner.Suddenly, Phillies third baseman Pedro Feliz arrived. He moved smoothly to his right, a couple steps into foul territory, backhanded the ball and threw a chest-high strike to Ryan Howard at first. Rios was out easily.When that play happened in the first inning of an exhibition game against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, it was easy to forget that there were days last year when Feliz could barely get out of bed because of excruciating back pain.He played through it as long as he could, finally going on the disabled list with back inflammation ..."
Utley remains optimistic about Opening Day
Comment
March 16
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"There were several anxious members of the Phillies organization when Chase Utley arrived at the ballpark yesterday morning, not the least of whom was the veteran second baseman himself. The previous day, Utley had played four innings in a minor league game at the Carpenter Complex, his first game action since undergoing hip surgery on Nov. 24. While all reports were positive - Utley went 2-for-4 with a double - the true test would come after a night's sleep.So when Charlie Manuel arrived at the ballpark and spoke with Utley, he was pleased with what he heard."He just said that he'd like to play today,'' Manuel said.After a conversation with head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan, that's ..."
Phils still on the hunt for lefthanded reliever
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March 5
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Phillies continue to monitor the free-agent market for lefthanded relievers and have kept open lines of communication with Will Ohman, his agent, Page Odle, said yesterday. Odle said the Phillies made an offer last week, though he would not characterize it. It's possible the offer was for a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. would neither confirm nor deny the offer. Ohman, 31, was 4-1 with a 3.68 earned-run average in 83 innings for Atlanta last season. A six-year veteran, Ohman has a career ERA of 4.16. Odle said that Ohman turned down the Phils' offer last week, but he quickly made a ..."
Park sharp in bid to be Phils' fifth starter
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March 3
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Chan Ho Park entered the competition for the Phillies' No. 5 starter's job with three innings of one-run ball in yesterday's 7-3 win over Atlanta. Park allowed a home run to Brian McCann in the sixth. "His command was a little off, but it's his first time out," manager Charlie Manuel said. "His stuff was really good." Park is battling Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ and Carlos Carrasco for the job. If Park doesn't win, he will pitch out of the bullpen, where he will have value because of his ability to work multiple innings. All four candidates have pitched once in the fifth-starter derby. "It's a four-way tie right now," Manuel said. "I don't even think the race has started yet," pitching coach ..."
Phillies' outfielder Werth healthy, 'just not ready'
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February 27
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"The only three position players from last year's postseason roster who have not appeared in a Grapefruit League game are Chase Utley, Pedro Feliz and Jayson Werth. Utley and Feliz, both recovering from offseason surgeries, aren't healthy enough to play.Werth, according to both the player and the Phillies, is.Manager Charlie Manuel downplayed his starting rightfielder's absence from the lineup."There is absolutely nothing wrong with him," Manuel said. "There is absolutely zero wrong with him. He's been getting some hitting, he's just not ready to go yet. He'll play before the season starts."Werth spent time on the disabled list last season with a strained oblique, but said his body is ..."
A's join Phillies with interest in Garciaparra
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February 23
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"It is looking more and more like the 25 players who will represent the Phillies on Opening Day are already here at spring training. A team source said yesterday the club is not overly optimistic about the potential of landing free-agent infielder Nomar Garciaparra, whom they have reached out to several times over the course of the offseason. Reports out of Oakland had the A's interested in the righthanded-hitting veteran, although Garciaparra continues to mull retirement.Any player the Phillies add over the next few weeks would have to come at a bargain price. Although the team still has interest in Garciaparra and believes it has a chance at landing him, the introduction of Oakland into ..."
Draft may net Eagles a talented receiver
Comment
February 22
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"The only wide receiver the Eagles have drafted in the first round since the Andy Reid era began in 1999 is Freddie Mitchell. And, that fourth-and-26 play aside, everyone who bleeds green knows how that turned out.Otherwise, the Eagles' draft history on wideouts in the last decade is littered with forgettable names: Na Brown, Billy McMullen, Gari Scott. You get the idea. Before last year's draft, only one Eagles rookie receiver - Reggie Brown - caught more than 21 passes.But against long odds, they got it right last April - the Eagles selected DeSean Jackson. The odds seemed long, because Jackson is 5-foot-9 and is a reed-thin 165 pounds, numbers that had many of the team's followers ..."
Phils hopeful of avoiding Howard arbitration
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February 2
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Salary arbitration hearings are scheduled to begin today in Phoenix, but the Phillies and Ryan Howard still have time to strike a deal before heading to the table.The date of Howard's hearing has been a closely guarded secret, but people with knowledge of the schedule have indicated it will take place during the second week of hearings - Feb. 9-13.Hearings run through Feb. 20.Howard, who led the majors in homers (153) and RBIs (431) over the last three seasons, is seeking a 2009 salary of $18 million. The Phillies have offered $14 million, a raise of $4 million over the $10 million Howard won in salary arbitration last year.If an agreement is not reached, an arbitration panel will listen ..."
Reliever Gordon may be going to Diamondbacks
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January 30
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Former Phillies reliever Tom Gordon appears to be close to a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks that would officially seal his departure from the world champs.Gordon's tenure in Philadelphia came to an end in October, when the Phillies declined to exercise their option on him after three injury-plagued seasons. The righthander missed the final 3 months of the regular season and the entire postseason with elbow problems, but opted against surgery that would have required rehabilitation akin to the Tommy John procedure.Gordon, 41, appeared in 137 games for the Phillies from 2006 to '08, earning 42 saves, and expects to be ready to pitch by the first or second week of spring training. He ..."
Howard appraisal could land anywhere
Comment
January 26
Wilmington News Journal
 
"Maury Brown makes his living crunching numbers, studying trends and analyzing the business of sports, particularly baseball. For Brown, salary arbitration season can be as compelling as the World Series. Surely, then, he knows how Ryan Howard's latest salary saga will turn out. "I think it could go either way," Brown told The News Journal in a phone interview Sunday. "It's awfully close. I'd die to be a fly on the wall for this one." Howard, the first baseman with unprecedented power numbers, filed an $18 million salary request for 2009, the third-highest figure exchanged in arbitration. The Phillies countered with a $14 million offer they consider equitable given Howard's limited major ..."
Eaton not in the mix for starting spot
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January 25
Camden Courier-Post
 
"As the Phillies advanced through the playoffs and won the World Series, Adam Eaton sat in his suburban Seattle home and watched on television. His exile continued when he wasn't invited to the victory parade down Broad Street. And, now, Eaton isn't being considered for the Phillies' vacant No. 5 starter spot. "It's a four-man competition, and he is not involved in that," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. "Is it possible Eaton pitches well enough to put himself in the mix? You never know what's going to happen. But we just think the other four guys have a better opportunity to help us win." Thus, when spring training starts next month in Clearwater, Fla., ..."
Lidge says defense saved perfect season
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January 25
Camden Courier-Post
 
"By now, three months after unleashing the slider that clinched a World Series, Brad Lidge has had ample time to reflect on each of the 48 saves from his too-perfect-to-be-true first season with the Phillies. When he does, though, he usually recalls the ones that almost didn't happen. Remember Lidge's seven-pitch ninth inning June 8 in Atlanta? Sure, but what about two nights earlier when he allowed one run and was spared a blown save only because center fielder Shane Victorino threw out the Braves' Gregor Blanco at the plate? Think back to Sept. 21, when Lidge struck out the side in Florida to cap a 5-1 road trip that gave the Phillies control of the National League East. But it's harder ..."
At last, Phillies' Lidge soaks it all in
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January 25
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"It's safe to think about it now, safe to marvel at it, safe to savor it.So many times during the 2008 season, Brad Lidge was reminded that he was riding a wave of perfection that few ever had.After months of trying to ignore those reminders and focus on the next game, Lidge can happily look back on what any player would agree was the season of a lifetime."For so long I tried not to think about it," the Phillies' closer said of his flawless run of 41 saves. "But after watching all the DVDs this winter and taking a deep breath - yeah, it was a pretty good year."Lidge was at Citizens Bank Park yesterday, back where he closed out the World Series three months ago, then fell to his knees and ..."
Alou draws interest from Phils
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January 23
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Still waiting to hear whether Nomar Garciaparra wants to continue his playing career, the Phillies have shown an interest in several other righthanded hitters who might be able to fill a reserve role with the club. A major-league source said yesterday that the Phils have pursued veteran free agent Moises Alou "pretty hard."Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. confirmed interest in the 42-year-old Alou but did not sound as if a deal was imminent."It's a possibility," Amaro said. "He's in the mix. But ultimately his expectations might be a little too high as far as playing time goes. This is a limited playing role."Alou, who is expected to play for the Dominican Republic in the World ..."
Howard's wish list: $18 million
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January 21
Wilmington News Journal
 
"Ruben Amaro Jr. chuckled Tuesday night when asked for his reaction to Ryan Howard's 2009 salary demand. "It's a very high number," the Phillies' general manager said. Uh, yeah. Howard, baseball's most prodigious slugger, met the deadline to exchange salary arbitration figures with the Phillies by submitting an $18 million request, the third-highest turned in since the arbitration process began in 1974. The Phillies countered with an offer of $14 million. Last year, the Phils and Howard weren't able to reach a settlement after submitting figures that were $3 million apart. The case went to a hearing, and Howard won a record $10 million award. Bet on the sides going to another hearing. "It's ..."
Iguchi planning to return to Japan
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January 19
MLB.com
 
"It appears Tadahito Iguchi is planning to return to Japan to prolong his playing career. Iguchi is set to sign with the Chiba Lotte Marines, according to Kyodo News. The 34-year-old infielder spent the past four years in the Majors, playing for the White Sox, Phillies and Padres. Iguchi combined to hit .232 with a .292 on-base percentage and .306 slugging percentage in 85 combined games with the Phillies and Padres this past season. In his 493 career Major League games, he hit .268 with 44 homers and 48 stolen bases. While helping the White Sox win the 2005 World Series, Iguchi proved productive enough to finish fourth in American League Rookie of the Year balloting."