Phillies Nation

Excerpts from the Cliff Lee Press Conference

Posted by Pat Gallen, Thu, December 16, 2010 12:59 AM

Sorry we’re a little late on this, but it was a busy day. Here are some quotes from Cliff Lee during today’s presser at CBP.

Q. You’ve texted some of your teammates since you left here about wanting to come back. Is this where you were most comfortable and is this where your heart is?

CLIFF LEE: I think for me to be here kind of says enough. I mean, I never held any grudges for being traded. I understand it’s a business and things like that happen.

But from the moment I got here, from the first day, I knew it was something that was special, something that I enjoyed. You know, I wasn’t sure if I was going to get another opportunity to come back or not.

The way things played out, I got that opportunity and here I am. When you sit back and evaluate your options, you get a chance to pitch in this rotation, with Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels, I mean, that’s all I needed to see right there. Give me a real option to do that, that’s it. That was the main thing, getting a chance to be part of that rotation with this team and what they’ve kind of established in the NL East, being the leader there. With this team, it was kind of a no‑brainer for me.

Q.  Cliff, the Yankees obviously offered you a nice deal, the Rangers.  At any time in this process did you tell Darek, Try to get something done with the Phillies, make this happen, this is where I want to go?

CLIFF LEE:  Obviously since I’m here, there was some point in the process where I decided to tell the Phillies, Let’s make something happen.

But, you know, there were a lot of variables, a lot of things going on there.  Obviously, I enjoyed my time in Texas.  We had a really good team.  We made it to the World Series.  That says enough for that team.

It’s tough.  Sometimes making these kind of decisions are tough.  But when you get your family involved, let them tell you how they feel about it, you weigh the pros and cons of everything, kind of sit back and look at it from a distance, let some time expire, you weigh all your options.

For me it became an easy decision with this pitching staff and with this team and what they’ve done over the past few years.  Getting a chance to play in the National League, I prefer the National League over the American League style.  I like to hit.  I enjoy hitting.  I like to face the pitcher versus the designated hitter.  There’s definitely an advantage to that.

It’s just a good team.  It’s a good environment.  They sell out every game here.  It’s a good group of guys.  It’s a close‑knit group.  That’s what you want to be a part of.  It’s going to be a special team.  None of that is going to be given to us.  We still have to go out there and earn it.  I think with what we’ve got on paper and with the personalities that are around, the guys on this team, good things are going to happen.

Q.  On the positive side, some folks have talked about the phrase ‘leaving money on the table.’  In a way, your contract ends here where you could sign another deal.  Is that an accurate statement that you left money on the table because it’s a very good contract here as well?

CLIFF LEE:  I guess I did.  I mean, I could potentially earn ‑‑ this is a shorter term, so whatever.  It’s plenty of money.  When you hit a certain point, enough is enough.  It’s a matter of where you’re comfortable, where you’re happy, where your family is most comfortable, what team gives you the best chance to win.

At this point it’s about trying to win championships.  That’s really the number one thing for me.  I think that team gives me the best chance to do that.  That’s really it.

Q.  Cliff, we’ve been hearing Rangers, Yankees for so long.  At the end the Phillies come in and get this done.  Was there a point in time where you were deciding between just those two teams or were the Phillies in it all along?

CLIFF LEE:  Going into the off‑season, I wasn’t sure how serious the Phillies were going to be.  I really didn’t know.  So I guess there was a point in time where it was just, in my mind, the Rangers and the Yankees.

This kind of developed just in the past four, five, six days I think.  I mean, there were some preliminary talks and stuff, but nothing really serious up until just the end of last week.  It kind of came together pretty quick.

In the back of my mind, I was always hoping that was a possibility.  I didn’t know how serious and how much of a possibility it was.

Q.  Cliff, you have been in a few cities in a short amount of time.  What is it about the city here, Philadelphia, maybe not so much the team, but the city itself, that brought you back?

CLIFF LEE:  I think the ‑ how do you put it ‑ intensity that you can feel when you get in the game.  You can feel the volume.  Every game has got an elevated feel to it compared to everywhere else.  It’s completely different.  I don’t know what the fans do to create that much more volume and excitement in the stadium, but it’s definitely something extra here.  I don’t know what it is, but it’s something they’re doing.

They get excited.  They’re passionate fans.  They understand what’s going on.  They don’t need a teleprompter to tell them to get up and cheer, to do that.  No, it’s exciting.  It’s an historic town.  I didn’t realize until I got here how interesting the city is.  My family really liked it.  I mean, that played a big part in it.

Yeah, you know, the feeling of playing on the field feels different than anywhere else.  I don’t know how to explain it other than you can feel the volume that’s created by the fans and their intensity.

Permalink | Comments (4) | Trackback (0)

Even With a Spending Spree, Phils Still Ain’t Yanks

Posted by Pat Gallen, Wed, December 15, 2010 11:35 AM

From an outsiders perspective it would seem as though the Phillies are slowly morphing into something different. That something different would be the Yankees, a team that likes to throw its weight around using American dollars. As the new powerhouse of the National League, the Phillies are resembling the rivals to the northeast. But let’s not get carried away – anyone who thinks the Phils are even within an arms length of the Yankees are sorely mistaken.

First off, the Phillies have built this brick by brick – they’ve used solid scouting and a stocked farm system to accomplish their goal of a World Championship while becoming a threat to win more every year. By extending their talent to long-term contracts at the right time, they’ve been able to keep a relatively modest payroll all the while.

The list of Phillies that were brought up – and not bought up – are as follows: Utley, Howard, Rollins, Ruiz, Madson, Hamels, Kendrick. Each have had their hand in the reformation of the Phillies as a legitimate contender year after year.

On the other side, the Yankees have attempted to buy their way into World Championships, and who can blame them? It’s a system that works in their favor – they should be allowed to spend all the money they want. Major League Baseball is built on a structure of revenue sharing, meaning the top teams filter down big money to the teams that don’t make as much. The Yankees are an exceptional franchise and that has benefitted the pockets of many lesser teams and their owners. So spending over $200 million every season is fine.

Just don’t say the Phillies do business the same way because they were able to land Cliff Lee.

Lee, like Roy Halladay and, to an extent, Roy Oswalt before him, took less money to play in a place he knew was a baseball hotbed. Halladay chose to take a shorter term deal and Oswalt re-worked some conditions in his contract to win here. Lee, apparently, has done the same. Instead of settling for a six-year deal worth a reported $137 million with a seventh-year option, Lee felt a connection with Philadelphia and will take a reported $120 million over five years with a sixth-year option. Not chump change by any means, but still a large sum left on the proverbial table.

Add up the numbers and you’ll see that the Phillies wrangled Cliff Lee AND Roy Halladay for roughly $180 million. The Yankees paid CC Sabathia by himself $161 million. Two is better than one.

New York, while able to entice him with riches and the thought of playing in the biggest market, could not offer Cliff Lee peace of mind. Texas fell short as well in courting the prized piece of the free agent market. As an aside, it’s pretty hilarious to see how up in arms Yankees fans are about losing Lee. Over the past 36 hours, there’s been a lot of “we didn’t want him anyway” talk. Sore losers, indeed.

So before you listen to the outsiders rip the Phillies for being like the evil empire – a team that overpays for talented players as often as person brushes their teeth – realize this club has put itself in this position by making noble maneuvers.

Permalink | Comments (47) | Trackback (0)

Report: Blanton to Red Sox Being Discussed

Posted by Pat Gallen, Tue, December 14, 2010 09:37 AM

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports says that late last night, the Phillies and Red Sox were discussing a deal that would send innings-eater Joe Blanton to Boston. No word on what the Phillies would be getting in return besides payroll relief.

Jon Heyman of SI.com has just tweeted a few minutes ago that Blanton to Boston is all but done.

We’ll keep you posted on this as Blanton is clearly the odd man out in the wake of the Phillies acquiring Cliff Lee last night.

Permalink | Comments (48) | Trackback (0)

One Year Later, Lee Rejoins the Phillies

Posted by Pat Gallen, Tue, December 14, 2010 02:59 AM

December 14, 2009, the Philadelphia Phillies made a splash. Like a whale jumping into a pool, Ruben Amaro changed the face of the Phllies franchise by acquiring arguably the best pitcher in all of baseball; Roy Halladay. In doing so, he felt the only way to repair his decimated farm system was to unload Cliff Lee.

At the time, the town was up in arms about losing Lee at the expense of Halladay. So enticing was the thought of a Halladay/Hamels/Lee trio – however, it wasn’t to be.

And then it was. Exactly one year later – December 14, 2010 – Cliff Lee rejoins the Phillies. It’s the circle of life, except no one saw it coming. During the baseball Winter Meetings, the Phillies lost their starting right fielder after being outbid by the Washington Nationals, of all clubs. It appeared Amaro had run out of tricks to pull out of his sleeve.

And then he did this. He was able to sway Cliff Lee away from the bright lights and bigger bucks of the Big Apple to join a crew of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt and in the process, assembling perhaps the greatest rotation in baseball history. Let that sink in for a second. This rotation could be the best in major league baseball history. Here in Philadelphia.

Remember when the biggest free agent signings were Lance Parrish, Gregg Jefferies, Benito Santiago, and Danny Tartabull. Those days are long, long gone. This is a special time to be a Phillies fan.

Welcome back, Cliff Lee.

Permalink | Comments (71) | Trackback (0)

Madson for Quentin? Not Gonna Do It

Posted by Pat Gallen, Mon, December 13, 2010 12:16 PM

Everyone is a fan of Jason Weitzel’s Beerleaguer. It’s one of the more smart, informative Phillies websites around and I’m sure many of you have wandered there at some point.

Yesterday in an open thread, Weitzel talked about Carlos Quentin being on the open market and what it might take to reel him in. Ryan Madson was one of the names that clearly stood out. A few weeks ago we approached the subject on Phillies Nation, giving the Quentin-to-Philly rumor six out of 10 “Ruben Heads”, meaning it was very possible the Phillies could add him. But for Ryan Madson, one of the finest arms in baseball? Can’t say that should even be discussed.

Due to his impending free agency after the 2011 season, Madson could be an expendable piece, although some would argue he’s the real anchor of this bullpen. I agree with that sentiment – Madson is far too important to lose now or in the near future as he’s been a true stabilizing force. The only real question surrounding Madson is, can he close? That’s been the only blemish on an otherwise stellar resume built in Philadelphia.

Knowing that Brad Lidge also comes off the books in a year, it would be downright silly to trade such a vital piece of the bullpen puzzle. Madson is not clearly the closer-in-waiting, but he is next in line at this time.

To trade him for an enigmatic outfielder who has struggled with injuries would be unjust. In a time when back-end bullpen arms are hard to come by, Madson’s value far exceeds that of Quentin’s. And while I’m a fan of Quentin and would like to see him come to Philadelphia, at that price it’s certainly not worth it.

And again, this is no shot at Beerleaguer, whom I admire. This is simply a counterpoint to what I believe would be a lopsided trade and a bad one for the Phillies.

Permalink | Comments (20) | Trackback (0)

Free Agent Option: Magglio Ordonez

Posted by Pat Gallen, Mon, December 13, 2010 08:07 AM

His eyes had to light up. After Scott Boras realized the Nationals were going to give Jayson Werth a seven-year, $126 million contract, it became clear one of his other clients, Magglio Ordonez, would be getting paid as well.

Prior to that deal, many were unsure how the market would unfold for the talented, yet aging, hitter. Ordonez, soon-to-be 37, is coming off a fractured ankle that ended his 2010 season prematurely. With Detroit last year, he batted .303 with 12 home runs and 59 RBI in 84 games. His .852 OPS was slightly below his career average, although his .378 on-base percentage was slightly above his usual levels.

Boras understands the free agent crop of outfielders is thin and he’ll do his best to cash in on that, even though Ordonez is slowly headed toward being at least a part-time DH. In ’10, he played 71 of his 84 games in the field, however, his age will soon make him a liability with the glove. Ordonez has never been flashy out there, anyway. And, in three of the last five seasons, his UZR has been a negative number.

Now, to that contract he and his agent will be angling for. Early word is, the Ordonez/Boras team want somewhere in the two-year, $20 million neighborhood. The Tigers are considered the front runner, but the Phillies absolutely have to make an inquiry. An issue moving forward for the Phillies would be their surrendering of a first round draft pick due to Ordonez’s type-A status. Is Ruben Amaro willing to give that up for a 36-year old outfielder that has a slowly fading bat and isn’t all that great in the outfield? Seems unlikely at this point. Still, don’t count them out entirely.

The need for a right-handed bat is fairly high after Jayson Werth defected to Washington. Is it high enough to spend $10 million per season, plus bring in another older player? Ordonez could very well have two more solid seasons left in him, especially playing in a smaller park than in Detroit and in a very good offense.

It’s not an easy decision. Ordonez could bring them middle of the order stability on a short-term contract. After all, he has hit .300 or better in each of the last four seasons and hasn’t hit less than .290 since his rookie year of 1998.

On the other hand, Ordonez could easily age quickly like Raul Ibanez, leaving two obstacles to overcome in the outfield. Basically, it all comes down to the asking price and the loss of a draft pick.

Chances: He’s one of the better, more talented hitters on the market, but his age is clearly an issue. So is the contract he wants. We’ll settle for 4/10 Ruben Head’s just because Ordonez is so potent with the bat.

Permalink | Comments (41) | Trackback (0)

Notes From the Winter Meetings: Wednesday

Posted by Pat Gallen, Wed, December 08, 2010 11:40 PM

-Yes, you heard correctly – Zack Greinke. Is it possible? Yes. Is it likely? No. The hottest rumor out of the Winter Meetings thus far pertaining to the Phillies is that they are “considering” the Royals ace and Cy Young winner.  A person with knowledge of the situation told Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com that the Phillies brass has had internal discussions as well as talks with Kansas City about Greinke. Amaro said:

“We have explored and tried and talked about acquiring some significant players,” he said. “We’ve tried to shoot for the moon on some things and laid some groundwork, but the possibility of them happening is kind of remote.”

Unlikely as it may be, Ruben and his boys are stirring things up a bit down in Central Florida. It’s not as crazy as it sounds, but what would it cost? If Cole Hamels is involved, you stay away. Hamels fits beautifully in between the two Roy’s, so you don’t want to mess with that. In no uncertain terms, the Royals organization will pillage the Phils farm system – that’s a given. Dom Brown would have to be involved – also a given.

This trade rumor barely as legs, but it’s a big one nonetheless.

-Dennys Reyes still isn’t a Phillie, however, he could be one soon. There have been multiple reports today of him signing with the team, although nothing has been completed. It would be for one-year with a second-year option.

-Aaron Rowand is not coming to Philadelphia, so says Giants GM Brian Sabean. He said the rumors surrounding his expensive, little-used outfielder are conjecture. This one could be a possibility, especially if the Giants pay most of his remaining salary. He’s a guy the Phillies know well; he’s also a guy the Giants would love to unload. Keep an eye on this, it may have legs. Am I fan of it? Not really, but the market is thinned out after Matt Diaz and Jeff Francouer signed.

-Is Magglio worth it? Scott Boras, his agent-extraordinare, says the bidding begins at two-years, $20 million. If that number comes down a bit, then the Phillies might be on to something. However, I’m just not sure if he’s worth $10 million a year. I’m also not so sure Carlos Peña is worth $10 million a season either, but that’s what the Cubs gave him, so anything’s possible.

UPDATE, 9:00 AM Thursday: While I was tucked away in bed, Dennys Reyes finally signed a contract with the Phillies; go figure. The deal is worth $1.1 million in 2011 and there is a mutual option worth $1.35 million in 2012. If Reyes reaches 70 appearances this year, he’ll have the right to exercise that. There is also a $150,000 buyout in ‘12.

Not a bad deal for a lefty who will have to remember how to stop lefties. Then again, this seems to be the going rate for guys of his caliber nowadays. Just yesterday, George Sherrill signed a similar contract with the Atlanta Braves. Reyes can’t be any worse than J.C. Romero was in his final year-and-a-half in Philly, and for less than half the price.

UPDATE, 9:12 am Thursday: In the Rule 5 draft, the Phillies selcted Michael Martinez, an infielder from the Washington Nationals. Martinez, 28, is a light-hitting, switch-hitter who has been a minor league lifer. In AAA last season, he had a .720 OPS and played five positions.

They’ll get a better look at him during Spring Training to see if he’s worth keeping for an entire season. By the looks of his numbers, it’s a long shot. If the Phillies do not keep him, he will have to be offered back to the Nats.

Permalink | Comments (123) | Trackback (0)

Year in Review: The Bullpen

Posted by Pat Gallen, Wed, December 08, 2010 12:41 PM

Even though the hot stove is burning down in Florida, we’re still continuing our Year in Review. Only a few left as we get to the end of the pitching staff. Up next are Chad Durbin and Jose Contreras.

The group we’ll take a look at today was little used and not a huge part of the equation for 2010. Here are the bullpen guys that found their way onto the major league roster at some point this year. Their grades are a combination of the minors and majors.

SCOTT MATHIESON

-For years Scott Mathieson has been on the radar as an up-and-coming arm that could potential pay dividends in the back of the bullpen. That hasn’t happened yet, but Mathieson did get his feet wet in the major leagues again after missing time following his second Tommy John surgery.

In two appearances, the flamethrower did little to prove his worth and was sent back down to the minors where he flourished all season. In those two games with the Phillies, he gave up three runs and five hits over 1 2/3 innings. Clearly not a sample size worth going nuts over. Pitching for Triple-A, Mathieson saved 26 games and appeared in 54 of them, posting a 2.80 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.

He’ll certainly have a shot to translate those minor league numbers to the majors starting in February during Spring Training. Many hope he can become a staple in this bullpen as he not only has the talent, but a back-story that people can root for.

GRADE: 7.3/10 – Looked great in LV but in a short stint with the big boys failed to take the next step. There’s still time for him.

MIKE ZAGURSKI

-A run per game isn’t going to turn heads, but that’s what lefty Mike Zagurski did when he arrived to the Phillies in 2010. In eight games he gave up eight runs over seven innings. He was another one who looked overmatched at the highest level, however, there is still room for him to evolve into a nice left-handed reliever in the majors. The question is, will he get that opportunity here?

In the minors, Zagurski was solid over 52 1/3 innings coming away with a 3.26 ERA. He struck out 71 while walking 27, a decent ratio for a lefty.

Zagurski will also get the chance to prove he belongs in Philadelphia and not in the minors for another season. Still, he had a shot of turning some heads in his short stint in ’10 and failed to wow anyone.

GRADE: 5.9/10 – Last season was great for club depth, but not sure if he fits into the plans of the major league team.

ANDREW CARPENTER

Carpenter is seen as a back-of-the-rotation type of arm and was decent as such in Lehigh Valley In his one major league appearance this year, he was used in mop-up duty in a blowout against the Cardinals. His line: three innings, five hits, three runs, no walks, two strikeouts. Nothing special about it, really. Carpenter is still relatively young at 25, so the Phillies will keep him in the farm system and hope he pans out in some way, shape, or form. For next year, it looks like another trip to Lehigh Valley with a crowded rotation in Philly.

GRADE: 5.1/10 – Was a middle of the road guy in LV and will continue to be until he can prove he can retire major league hitters.

NATE ROBERTSON

Didn’t forget about this guy, did you? How could you? One of his two appearances was so atrocious Robertson failed to find another job in baseball after it. The Phillies added him after he was let go by Florida for some added depth in the organization.

On September 8, Robertson was utilized in the middle of a pennant chase and completely flopped, allowing six runs and four hits in just two-thirds of an inning. The Phillies ended up winning the game over the Marlins but Robertson was never heard from again.

GRADE: 0/10 – Robertson did little in LV or PHI and had one game that was so terrible it’s unforgettable. That shouldn’t happen in one inning of major league work.

VANCE WORLEY

He too had just a taste of the major leagues in 2010, yet made the most of it. Unlike some of the others, Worley was actually quite good. He saw the light of day five times this year, two starts, and kept his ERA low. Try 1.38 low with a WHIP below one. Again, a small sample size, but a head-turning line over those five games.

Worley was awesome in his two starts, one of which came in the middle of the NL East chase. On September 6 in Game One of a doubleheader, Worley held the Marlins to two runs over five innings and with those trademark glasses became an instant fan favorite.

You’ll be hearing a lot more about Worley as we get closer to Spring Training. He’s very much in the running for the fifth starter spot next season.

GRADE: 8/10 – Between his excellent stats in both Double-A and Triple-A, Worley receives high marks for making a great leap in 2010.

Permalink | Comments (13) | Trackback (0)

Notes From the Winter Meetings: Tuesday

Posted by Pat Gallen, Wed, December 08, 2010 01:12 AM

Quite the frenetic day in Orlando, but without much to report really.

Off the table comes one of the better right handed bats on the market in Matt Diaz, who inked a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Phillies were never really in on him – there were no reports or official tweets linking the two sides – but speculation was that the Phillies would be a good fit.

Still on the table (although if he was actually on a table, it would certainly collapse) is Dennys Reyes. Rumors were abound that the large lefty – formerly of the Cardinals, Twins, Padres, Royals, 76ers, and Chiba Lotte Marines – was close to joining the Phillies bullpen. It has not happened as of yet, but sources close to the action say it’s within reach.

The issue with Reyes is that he’s a lefty who can’t get out lefties. They hit .307 against him last year and you don’t need me to tell you that isn’t very good. During his career which has spanned 10 different cities, Reyes has actually been serviceable against left-handed batters sporting a .238 opponent average. Not excellent, but not terrible and that’s what’s keeping him in the league.

Some other names that surfaced today were Pedro Feliciano and George Sherrill. As for the latter, he had a horrendous season in 2010. Horrendous isn’t really even the adjective to describe Sherrill’s year in L.A. His 6.69 ERA and 1.92 WHIP tell the story. Against left handed hitting he was actually quite good – they managed just a .196 average off of Sherrill. The problem was those damn righties. They hit a lofty .427 off him.

The moral of today’s story: tread lightly with the lefties. They’re either too expensive or coming off a bad year, there doesn’t seem to be an in-between.

More tomorrow, we’re sure.

Permalink | Comments (16) | Trackback (0)

Sherrill, Reyes, Feliciano All on Phillies Wish List

Posted by Pat Gallen, Tue, December 07, 2010 05:08 PM

-It appears Dennys Reyes could be close to joining the Phillies. Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports said as much in a tweet a little while ago. The big lefty (he weighs in at 250) has spent the last two seasons in St. Louis and is a 13 year veteran. He’ll certainly fill a void left when the Phillies allowed J.C. Romero to walk after last season.

-Also on the Phillies list is lefty George Sherrill. The Phils were named front-runners for his services, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. It is possible the Phillies go after two cheaper options for the bullpen, especially after they were done in by the barrage of left-handed pitchers thrown their way by the Giants in the NLCS.

-Last but not least as far as lefty pitchers goes is Pedro Feliciano. The 34-year old has spent his entire career with the Mets and over the last three seasons has led the major leagues in appearances. Feliciano is a workhorse, but will cost much more than Reyes and Sherrill, plus it’s highly unlikely the Phillies grab all three.

-Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tweeted that the Phillies have interest in utility man Delwyn Young who hit .236/.286/.414 in 207 plate appearances for the Pirates in 2010. Young, 28, can play second base, third base, and the outfield, which would allow the Phillies much needed flexibility should be a choice for the major league roster.

More coming…

UPDATE, 4:44 pm: It might be time to cross Jesse Crain off the list as a possible right-hander out of the Phillies pen. I talked about him in our PN Writer’s Roundtable a while back, saying he could be a nice candidate to take over for Chad Durbin should they part ways for good. Well, not so fast. Scott Miller of CBSSports.com says Crain is looking for “Joaquin Benoit-money” or something in the $5 million-per-year range. Too rich. Nothing to see here.

Permalink | Comments (54) | Trackback (0)

Is Rich Harden a Bullpen Fit for the Phillies?

Posted by Pat Gallen, Tue, December 07, 2010 12:35 PM

Armed with all the talent in the world, Rich Harden is both a nightmare and a blessing. Signing him is the equivalent of playing black or red at the roulette table – it’s a 50/50 proposition you win. If you do come out victorious, he’ll still end up on the disabled list at some point, but in the end you’re team will have gotten more out of him than you previously imagined when signing him. If you lose, well, you seem to lose a lot with Rich Harden.

And that’s not to say Harden is a loser, he’s not. Losing really isn’t in his vocabulary at the major league level.

Through eight up and down seasons, Harden has gone 55-34 with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Injuries have set him back nearly every year he’s pitched – Harden only has one season with more than 30 starts. But man, if he isn’t the ultimate high risk/high reward pitcher, then I don’t know if one exists.

Harden’s laser fastball no longer has the zip it once did. According to FanGraphs Pitch F/X, his velocity dropped from 94.1 in 2007 to 90. 8 in 2010 with that fastball. With that, the speed on the rest of his pitches has dropped as well. Also sinking like a brick were his overall numbers.

Following a magnificent 2008 campaign that saw Harden go 10-2 with an ERA a shade above two, ’09 and ’10 were true regression years as he again failed to stay on the mound. During those two years he tossed a combined 233 innings and had finished 2010 with an ERA above five. His K/9 went from 11.3 in ’08 to just 7.3 in ’10. His BB/9 went from 0.8 to 1.8 during that same time, the worst of his career.

Harden’s name is being thrown around the Winter Meetings as we speak. Guys with his pedigree – although it’s a damaged one – will always continue to resurface as long as he can throw. GM’s are enamored with that kind of talent. But how will he be used? There is talk that moving him to the bullpen would be a prudent one. Not only would it benefit his career for the long haul (hopefully cutting down on the injuries and lengthening it) but also provide the team with a decent seventh-inning threat.

Last year Harden received $7.5 million on a one-year deal – starter-money from the Texas Rangers. It’s unlikely he’ll be commanding that sort of contract this time around.

The Phillies are currently in the market for relatively cheap bullpen arms and Harden could fit the bill if he’s ready to admit that starting is no longer the path to take.

Permalink | Comments (32) | Trackback (0)

Free Agent Option: Xavier Nady

Posted by Pat Gallen, Mon, December 06, 2010 12:56 PM

Now that Jayson Werth has moved on to the Washington Nationals, it’s time for the Phillies to get serious about landing a replacement for the vacancy in right field.

Just two years removed from 25 home runs and 97 RBI, outfielder Xavier Nady is looking for a home. He put those numbers together with the Pirates and Yankees in 2008, then lost nearly the entire 2009 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Nady’s 2010 season was a disappointment, although it was not unexpected, as he hit just .256 with six home runs in 347 plate appearances with the Chicago Cubs.

At 32-years old, Nady could be a cheap reclamation project even though Phillies supporters don’t want to take a step backward with the offense. Going from Werth to a Nady/Brown platoon would certainly equal such a move in the wrong direction, but for the price Nady would come at, it wouldn’t be the world’s worst move. Nady has some pop and after a full season to heal from the elbow reconstruction, perhaps he’ll be able to find that once again.

Playing for an awful Cubs team certainly didn’t help his value, either. Hitting within an offense that ranked 10^th in runs and 10^th in OPS could have been part of the reason Nady’s numbers were sapped. He also may not have been completely healthy. Whatever the case, he won’t be asking for very much on the open market and could be a viable option to platoon.

How is he against lefties you ask? Nady hits .297 for his career against southpaws with a decent .818 OPS. Not Werth-like, but not bad either.

Chances: Two out of 10 Ruben Head’s for Xavier Nady as a Phillie. I wouldn’t mind the cheap signing, but he’s a major fallback option and shouldn’t be looked at as anything more than a platoon player with the hope that he could surprise you and find the talent he flashed a few seasons ago.

Permalink | Comments (121) | Trackback (0)

Werth to Nationals a “Done Deal”

Posted by Pat Gallen, Sun, December 05, 2010 06:05 PM

Well, that came out of right field, didn’t it? Jayson Werth has reportedly signed with the Washington Nationals for seven years and $126 million, that according to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports. Wow. Not much else to say except wow.

All I can think about with this contract is the awful eight year deal with Chicago Cubs inked Alfonso Soriano to, and we can see how that one is working out. No one is doubting the skill level of Werth, but it appears the Nationals grossly overpaid for a guy who has had two very good seasons. In my estimation, this was a desperate attempt for the Nats to make a splash and get people to come out to their ballpark, especially after losing Adam Dunn just a few days ago to the White Sox.

Werth will head just three hours south, all the while joining a club that is perennially in the basement of the National League East. He’ll no doubt make them better, however, at that price, is it worth it? Seems shocking to me.

But then again, does it seem shocking? The Nationals likely offered him several more years and several more dollars than any other team and wisely, Werth took it. If you were offered $126 million would you turn it down, even if it was to play baseball on the moon? Highly unlikely. And just think – Werth was a small, free agent pickup just a couple of seasons ago. A few stellar seasons have turned him into a very, very rich man.

On the flip side, the Phillies are left without a first round pick. Because it’s in the top-18 it is protected, so the Nationals will keep it and the Phillies will get a lower level draft pick instead.

So that concludes the Jayson Werth era in Philadelphia as he’s now a Washington National. I’m sure you’ll have plenty to say about this one.

UPDATE, 6:06 pm: Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com says the Phillies offered Werth a three-year deal with an option for fourth worth roughly $16 million per season.

UPDATE, 10:00 pm: Jayson Stark of ESPN.com says that the Nationals outbid everyone by so much that Scott Boras didn’t even ask any other teams to match. He simply told Werth to sign on the dotted line.

Stark also says the Phillies have interest in Scott Hairston to plug their hole in the outfield now that we know Werth is gone.

UPDATE, 12:10 pm Monday: In an article by Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News, Werth says he didn’t feel “wanted” by the team and new it was time to move on.

Permalink | Comments (212) | Trackback (0)

Adrian Gonzalez to Boston on Hold; Will Werth Go?

Posted by Pat Gallen, Sun, December 05, 2010 03:36 PM

Jon Heyman of SI.com has stated that the Boston Red Sox would be more inclined to sign Jayson Werth now that they have traded for Adrian Gonzalez. What a scary thought that would be.

Gonzalez was moved from the San Diego Padres to the Red Sox in a blockbuster deal yesterday, with the Padres giving up one of the premier hitters and defenders in all of baseball. Boston sent a group of prospects the other direction. How does Werth play into this?

With Gonzalez taking over at first base, Kevin Youkilis will likely slide to the other side of the diamond, leaving Adrian Beltre the odd man out as he searches for a big-time free agent contract. Without having to spend money on Beltre, they could attempt to sign Jayson Werth to balance out the order. The middle of the order would have Youkilis third (righty), Gonzalez (lefty), then Werth fifth (righty). As usual, the Red Sox have plenty to spend, so this is something to certainly keep an eye on.

UPDATE, 3:20 pm: The Gonzalez trade appears to have fallen through as the Red Sox and Gonzalez could not come to an agreement on a contract extension, although there is talk that the talks could resurrect down the road.

Permalink | Comments (41) | Trackback (0)

Free Agent Option: Matt Diaz

Posted by Pat Gallen, Fri, December 03, 2010 11:08 AM

Finally, we can talk about Matt Diaz. Not about how he’s killing the Phillies or tripping trespassers wearing ridiculous spandex suits (see below), but about how he can actually help this Phillies club with his skill at the plate.

Diaz was non-tendered by the Atlanta Braves yesterday, meaning he’s a free agent and ready to mingle. Could the Phillies have interest in the 32-year old outfielder? You bet your baseballs.

For the better part of five seasons in the National League East, Diaz has had the Phillies number hitting .338 over 165 plate appearances. There’s always a guy who isn’t a stud – normally just a role player – that your team can’t get out under any circumstance. Matt Diaz was that guy.

Now, the Phillies have the opportunity to sign him to be part of the solution of losing Jayson Werth. It wouldn’t be the worst move in the world, either. For what Diaz would command on the open market, Ruben Amaro would be shrewd to thoroughly kick the tires on this right field option. With a pairing of Diaz and Dom Brown in right and Ben Francisco and Raul Ibanez in left, two platoons wouldn’t be an ideal scenario, however, it’s a risk worth taking at a time when the free agent landscape is filled with has-been outfielders. As we’ve talked about for the past few weeks, the trade market is thin as well.

Diaz is an eight-year vet, although most of his early seasons were spent shuffling between the minors and the bigs. His career .301 average from the right side would play well here, although he’s not a power alternative to Werth. In 2009, Diaz hit a career high 13 home runs in 125 games – not exactly Aaron-esque. Still, he’d surely have the opportunity to knock in runs at a healthier clip than Atlanta in this batting order.

The better news: he hits lefties well. Try .335 against them with 29 homers and 100 RBI in 735 plate appearances; basically just a shade more than a seasons-worth. Hell, Jayson Werth has only hit .292 against lefties in his career, so this move would be a bit of an upgrade to combat the left-handed problem the Phillies face every night.

An underlying factor would be his lineup-balancing. Placido Polanco is currently the only Phillie who seems to have any sense of how to use situational hitting to his advantage. Diaz is another threat to hit the ball to the opposite field with runners in scoring position, a trait missing from the DNA of this team.

As far as his glove is concerned, Diaz is just ordinary. His UZR for the past five seasons averages to roughly 1.8, meaning he’s basically a replacement-level defender. No matter who you put out there, few will have the speed and athleticism to play right field like Werth did, so even at replacement-level, Diaz will do just fine because of his prowess with the bat.

Are you on board with Diaz? He’ll likely come cheap since he’s been nothing but a platoon player. And if he and Brown co-exist together splitting at-bats, would anyone object to a .290 average with 25 total home runs and 80 RBI between the two? On the other side of the coin, signing Diaz pushes the Phillies into platoon mode. In any case, it’ll be nice to know Diaz would no longer haunt the Phillies if he’s wearing their jersey.

Permalink | Comments (57) | Trackback (0)