The Zo Zone

Barajas was a bust, we all know this. The Nunez move, however, I don't quite get. He's your only viable option as a middle infield injury replacement...

...Unless they play on re-signing Iguchi for MI work off the bench.

It also raises an eyebrow about third base for next year. Yes, they still have Helms, but if they're willing to part ways with the steadiest of defensive hands at third, could this mean the Phils might go after Mike Lowell?

We shall see, folks.

I'm sorry to hear about Nunez. He had no stick, but damn, he played a great 3rd base for us. Moyer and Kendrick should chip in to keep him around, he saved them a few times.
Hope this is just a move to bring him back cheaper. I suspect he will get offers, what a glove (and 3rd isn't even his best position).

This is a precursor for a move at 3rd base. I can almost guarantee the Phils make a run at Lowell. Also Garret Atkins is rumored to be available via trade after the season as well as Joe Crede from Chicago. Crede is also excellent with the glove. I imagine the Phillies will either resign Nunez cheaper as a utility guy, find an inexpensive utlity guy or maybe call up someone from within the system to have a solid glove and backup the middle infield. Unless Utley suddenly becomes a 3rd baseman (please no!) then Iguchi is as good as gone, he wants to start somewhere.

Iguchi is an everyday 2nd baseman, he won't be back here next season. Not sad to see Nunez go. If he could hit 30 points higher he'd be a utility option, but he's already proven otherwise. I hope they make a run at Lowell, and for God's sake, NO MORE DEALS WITH THE WHITE SOX!!

The Rockies fans throw bottles at the Phillies, no one hears about it.

The D-Backs fans throw bottles at the Rockies, no one makes a big deal out of it.

If that happened in Philadelphia, it'd be on the front page of every newspaper's sports section in the country, saying how disgraceful was. Give me a break.

If my math is right, the Phils freed up $6.7M. That might come in handy.

No-brainer with Barajas. Ruiz has emerged as a solid big-league catcher.

Nunez will find work - late inning defensive subs are worth something. But not as much as a solid middle reliever, and the Phils need to find that more.

I am very curious to see what happens at third. Dobbs had some big hits. Helms didn't produce nearly enough. Is either a true starting third baseman? Maybe, we'll see. Keep in mind this is a Division where the competition has Chipper Jones, David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman and Miguel Cabrera. Impressive group...

The realities of baseball economics mean you have to pick and choose your holes. With solid production at second and third, the Phils can get away with a solid glove/average bat at third base. Third base looks like one hole the Phils can deal with (proof: see 2006 offensive production). Plug the hole with a serviceable glove, find an Alex Cora type to replace Nunez, they come cheap.

Lowell will cost too much.

Then make a run at Schilling. It's his turn to return the favor Clemens did him early on: mentor young, talented pitchers and make them champions. Money, nostalgia, ego-stroking and the "return of the hero" story like will get Curt here. And more money.

Now, we have to figure out who loses his job for the care and feeding of a pitching staff that saw almost all pitchers on the DL for a part of the season. Does Dubee really deserve to be invited back?

Andy Reid admits he doesn't know what a blog is.
Manual gets beat up for his public personna and not speaking as clearly and crisply as one might like. Reid can say something that makes him dumber than the average 5th grader and he gets a pass. I like Charlie more every day.