The Zo Zone

Happy Romero signed. Phills became agood team when they picked up Romero Gordon started pitchhing well and Bret filled the closers role.
Feel the real sleeper onthje Phills could be Madson he has the ability to be an impact player. What is the phsical status of Scott Mathieson and minor leager K. Drabek?

Hey, Jeremy Affeldt (lefty) and Scott Linebrink (type A) are still out there. No reason not to go after them also. Another interesting name out there is Kerry Wood. All of these guys might be looking for a raise this year, but I think it would be worth the effort to see what they are asking for. Can't have enough good pitching.

They couldn't ink Romero for less? $4M/year for a guy who had a half a great season for us and a couple mediocre ones elsewhere? I wonder if Mahay would've commanded this much.

$12M may seem like a lot for a guy for a great half-season, but the shortage of good relief pitching raises that cost. He also fits the profile of a pitcher who's been around a bit who finally puts it all together --- although its highly unlikely he'll reproduce a 1.24 ERA. He's still a good deal at double that.

Plus, the guy REALLY wanted to pitch here & will take the ball anytime its given to him. How often does that combination occur?

I agree with the Madsen comment. In a make or break year, I'm betting on make.

4 mil per. oh well its not my money. Ruly Carpenter, knew what he was doing when he cashed out. He probably would have made more money keeping the team. The problem was he couldn't sleep at night with these salaries. The real shame is the past greats, have to watch their electric bills, and this winters oil prices. Romero(4) mil, Schilling (8) mil. Whats wrong with that picture. I think Cole Hammels is getting 500,000 this year. No wonder he doesn't want to pitch on 3 days rest...GO PHILS ! tix raised 20% ?

great signing! and i agree with craig, keep the pitching coming. i would think pitchers would want to come to philly now, despite the little league field. the phils got a solid team in place, and a real good chance at a title with just a couple more moves/signings. so whos next....................

We NEEDED a lefty for the bullpen, and Romero fits that description but at 4 million annually?!?!?! I think we overpaid, but who knows, maybe that's what relievers with a career 4.30 era and put 1.5 runners on per inning get nowadays.

We need another starter, another good arm in the bullpen and a solid third baseman. Plus it would be really good to sign Aaron Rowand. This is a full agenda for the Phillies Brass. I hope they are up to the tasks at hand and are willing to dip into the coffers to make '08 another season that is great !!!!. Also, let's stop babying Adam Eaton. He is NOT a starter. Lets start the transition for him into the bullpen as a long reliever. That is the best we can expect from Mr. Eaton.

Romero was a deal that had to be done ....I'm glad they didn't risk him going to FA and another team coming in and offering him the world.
I would like to see the Phils add some more arms to the pen or rotation.
Hopefully Gillick can keep up the good work ...

I'm curious to see what he does on the FA front on Tuesday .....

Todd, from a free agent perspective, any comments on the likelyhood of seeing some of the ex-Phils circling back here. Schilling is off the list, but what about Randy Wolf or Carlos Silva?

To everyone who says the Phillies dished out too much for Romero, you're fools. Zo has said on here before there were only a handful of dominant lefty relievers on the market and they were going to command a lot of money.

You'd rather have someone else? Be my guest.

On the topic of Rowand, I hope they go after him but I'd understand their need for arms. By my reckoning, the Phils have $11 mil. left in their offseason chest to spend on free agents. I think Rowand could sign for $8-10 mil. then where does that leave the team?

Nice job on the Romero signing.

As to Madsen, I'd say make-or-break for sure. After an awesome rookie year in 2004, he was pretty bad in 2005 and really bad in 2006. Eaton-esque. So-so in 2007 before he got hurt (thanks to one amazing month of July). We'll see.

I love Rowand, but if he's looking for more than $10 mil a year, I say adios and focus on a third baseman.

I like the Romero signing, first and foremost.

But doesn't anyone have a major problem with the team so willing to let Rowand walk away? Doesn't anyone have a major problem accepting (at best) mediocrity from Helms at third?

We still have yet to see Victorino and Werth play a full season without being hampered by injuries. I like both players and think they will contribute in 2008, but wouldn't it be best for the Phils to continue to beat all their opponents with a high offense attack that remains balanced from both sides of the plate?

The fact of the matter is that the Phillies had the 14th highest payroll to start the '07 season with roughly $87 million. The Lidge acquisition, Romero's new contract, plus raises for their young players (including a substantial raise for Howard,) should have all been budgeted for a long time ago. The Phils shed over $20 million in dead weight salaries this winter, coming off the heels of a successful playoff appearance, and attendance figures that sailed way past the 300 million mark. Add those factors into the ever-increasing ticket prices (lest no one forget they raised the rates on several seats in the middle of last year,) I call the Phils management and owners to task on this forum. Add the right handed bat to complement your core hitters. They are all in their primes RIGHT NOW! Holding money back at this point would be fruitless and just plain folly with longer playoff appearances, World Series berths (or dare I say it?,) titles hopefully around the corner. If not Rowand, somebody, please!

I'm ok with Romero signing, we did need a lefty in the pen. Now V, you say "Fools". Thats not very nice. Dominant lefty ? Career ERA 4.30, BAA .255 (3) teams said adios. So next time you say fool. Look in the mirror. I'm sorry that wasn't nice either. GO PHILS !

It could be amistake big time not resigning Aaron R. Werth can be pitched to by righthanders and he wil hit 270 at best full time. He does have other good skills, strong defensevly with a good arm and plus speed. Rowand plays with an attitude that every team needs. Also Burrel is a free agent after .08 and the Phillies probably wont resign him, so they would need another outfielder such as a Rowand. Why not sign him now. Helms is a liability at 3b defesively.I know its a long shot but how about Rolen at 3b. His health may make him a risk.

It could be amistake big time not resigning Aaron R. Werth can be pitched to by righthanders and he wil hit 270 at best full time. He does have other good skills, strong defensevly with a good arm and plus speed. Rowand plays with an attitude that every team needs. Also Burrel is a free agent after .08 and the Phillies probably wont resign him, so they would need another outfielder such as a Rowand. Why not sign him now. Helms is a liability at 3b defesively.I know its a long shot but how about Rolen at 3b. His health may make him a risk.

It could be amistake big time not resigning Aaron R. Werth can be pitched to by righthanders and he wil hit 270 at best full time. He does have other good skills, strong defensevly with a good arm and plus speed. Rowand plays with an attitude that every team needs. Also Burrel is a free agent after .08 and the Phillies probably wont resign him, so they would need another outfielder such as a Rowand. Why not sign him now. Helms is a liability at 3b defesively.I know its a long shot but how about Rolen at 3b. His health may make him a risk.

It could be amistake big time not resigning Aaron R. Werth can be pitched to by righthanders and he wil hit 270 at best full time. He does have other good skills, strong defensevly with a good arm and plus speed. Rowand plays with an attitude that every team needs. Also Burrel is a free agent after .08 and the Phillies probably wont resign him, so they would need another outfielder such as a Rowand. Why not sign him now. Helms is a liability at 3b defesively.I know its a long shot but how about Rolen at 3b. His health may make him a risk.

So...What are the details of Romero's contract? It's "3 years, $12 million, with an option for 2011 that could bring the total to $16.75 million." That's nice - but how much in each of the three years? How much impact on the 2008 budget? And the press release implies a $4.75 million club option in 2011. Is there a buyout price? What is it? Or is the buyout part of the $12 million, and the annual contract cost less than $4 million? Is part of the $12 million a signing bonus?

Good move keeping Romero. Why not sign Rowand and trade Burrell. I am sure an AL team could use him as a DH. Burrell is so inconsistent with the bat and plods along in the outfield. I really do not like an outfield of Werth, Victorino, and Burrell. Poor Vic would have a ton of ground to cover.It is so sad that the minor league system does not even have an outfield prospect that is even close to coming up and becoming a star. There are tons of outfielders and the Phils cannot even find one when they are scouting? Does not say much for their scouts. They also need to upgrade 3rd base. I am sure there is someone out there better then Helms. Get rid of Eaton, release him if you have to. I'm sure someone would pick him up, if he is healthy, and pay him the 8 million a year he is owed, seems like a bargain anymore for a pitcher with an era over 6. That is pretty sad and does not say much for the state of the game.
Congrats to Rollins and Utley for their awards. I hope Rollins can bring home the MVP as well.

A signing that had to be done. Even if it is too much.

To those above, I would not do that same for Rowand.

To ashley, if the Phils could trade Burrell they would do it in a heartbeat.

Why don't we sign Ron Mahay away from the Braves....he completely dominated lefties, especially ours once he came over form Texas...R. Amaro, are you listening????.and we certainly can use another lefty in the pen. Linebrink, I don't know, I hate to lose a #1 if he's a type A FA....

To those who feel the Lidge deal is a slam-dunk winner for the Phils...I'm not so sure. Trading Bourn before Rowand's situation is clarified seems like poor timing. Durablility is a concern for all 3 outfielders. Is there someone out there with the upside of Bourn? I'd sure think signing Rowand would be a priority with Burrell moving on after this year.
Geary is 1 year removed from being v. reliable. I can see parting with Constanzo: he had LOTS of whiffs--and more errors than HRs. He might make Helms resemble Brooks Robinson with the glove.

I like the signing. The next move will be telling. I hope the front office considers adding a legit closer like FA Fransico Cordero (Brewers) and have Lidge set up with Romero and Madsen working the 7th. Wouldn't that make us all sleep better - I don't think my stomach can handle another season of watching Flash meltdown in key situations - he'd be better as a situational 7th-8th inning guy getting a key out here and there. The Phils could go from having the league's weakest pen to its strongest. I also like the idea of adding the Japanese pitcher too or even a Randy Wolf. The bottom line is that the Phils have done an admirable job so far but they need to keep at it with adding to more quality pitching. Its too bad that this would come at the expense of Rowand but it seems that there are limits to extent ownership will go with the owpayroll.

I like the signing. The next move will be telling. I hope the front office considers adding a legit closer like FA Fransico Cordero (Brewers) and have Lidge set up with Romero and Madsen working the 7th. Wouldn't that make us all sleep better - I don't think my stomach can handle another season of watching Flash meltdown in key situations - he'd be better as a situational 7th-8th inning guy getting a key out here and there. The Phils could go from having the league's weakest pen to its strongest. I also like the idea of adding the Japanese pitcher too or even a Randy Wolf. The bottom line is that the Phils have done an admirable job so far but they need to keep at it with adding to more quality pitching. Its too bad that this would come at the expense of Rowand but it seems that there are limits to extent ownership will go with the owpayroll.

at this point, with the deal for lidge and romero's resigning i think they should now shift the focus to resigning rowand. they cannot afford to lose him and his presence in the clubhouse. they need to retain him as a big right handed bat in the lineup. i think its time david montgomery and the ownership finally decided do what it takes to field a championship baseball team: up the payroll 10 million and then they have plenty of money to resign rowand and sign a decent starter.

at this point, with the deal for lidge and romero's resigning i think they should now shift the focus to resigning rowand. they cannot afford to lose him and his presence in the clubhouse. they need to retain him as a big right handed bat in the lineup. i think its time david montgomery and the ownership finally decided do what it takes to field a championship baseball team: up the payroll 10 million and then they have plenty of money to resign rowand and sign a decent starter.

Good job on the signing.
Now let's keep going and get some more quality depth on the pitching staff.
It may be a good idea if Meyer remains the closer and Lidge is the set up man and occaisional closer.

Good job on the signing.
Now let's keep going and get some more quality depth on the pitching staff.
It may be a good idea if Meyer remains the closer and Lidge is the set up man and occaisional closer.

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