So the Phillies still need pitching, in case you hadn't heard.
Well, yesterday they watched Kris Benson throw off a mound in Phoenix. The Phillies had scouts in attendance, along with scouts from about eight other teams. They were all there to see if Benson's surgically repaired right shoulder is sound.
Confirmed: Benson's arm is still attached.
But we know little else, other than Benson's camp feels the Phillies' interest is serious. The Phillies remained mum yesterday when I asked their impressions of Benson. But if they liked what they saw, Benson seems to make sense for them because Benson's agent, Gregg Clifton, said Benson likely is going to sign a one-year contract.
That'd be right up the Phillies' alley. Benson is 68-73 with a 4.34 ERA in 195 career starts. Compare that to Kyle Lohse, who is 62-73 with a 4.84 ERA in 195 starts, and Carlos Silva, who is 47-45 with a 4.46 ERA in 125 starts. Lohse and Silva are both looking for multiyear contracts, which the Phillies want no part of. So if the Phillies feel Benson can stay healthy, they have somebody who is low risk, but comparable to the "two best" free agent pitchers on the market. And after signing Adam Eaton to a three-year, $24.5 million contract last winter, they should probably go low risk. That way when the time comes to offer contract extensions to Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels, they can't say, "We would, but we've got $80 million tied up in Eaton and Lohse/Silva."
*
Need a last minute Christmas gift? I wrote Sunday about the Harry Kalas tribute CD, which I had a chance to listen to. The CD is going to be available at the Majestic Clubhouse Store at Citizens Bank Park beginning at noon Wednesday.
*
Update: Heard there's nothing to the Kyle Lohse report that the Phillies are one of the final two teams he's choosing between. If the Phillies suddenly signed him to a four-year, $44 million contract it would seem to go against everything Pat Gillick has preached this off-season (i.e. hate long term deals unless it's for a superstar).
*
The Phillies have invited 18 players to spring training as non-roster invitees. They are:
Pitchers: RHP Carlos Carrasco, RHP Ron Chiavacci, LHP Vic Darensbourg, RHP Gary Knotts, LHP Brian Mazone, LHP Josh Outman and LHP Joe Savery.
Catchers: Tuffy Gosewisch, Tim Gradoville and Lou Marson.
Infielders: 1B Mike Cervenek, SS Jason Donald, 3B Brennan King, INF Casey Smith and 1B/3B Andy Tracy.
Outfielders: Greg Golson, Valentino Pascucci and Brandon Watson.
Comments (21)
If they can get him on the cheap, why not?
Just make sure this is not the only egg in the basket for the 5th starter...
Posted by PaulW | December 18, 2007 9:54 AM
Posted on December 18, 2007 09:54
One year? Almost makes it worth overlooking his health issues. I say go for it.
Posted by Civil Negligence | December 18, 2007 10:06 AM
Posted on December 18, 2007 10:06
Benson and Jefferies would both be quality signings at this point in the process and neither would mean giving up any draft pick compensation. I’m hoping for both.
Posted by B Dub | December 18, 2007 10:18 AM
Posted on December 18, 2007 10:18
Jeffries? Do you mean Jenkins?
I guess if Benson is healthy and we can get him for one year, I'd be okay with that.
Posted by d | December 18, 2007 10:21 AM
Posted on December 18, 2007 10:21
This would be a solid move. He's a decent bet to outperform the other two (lohse/silva) this year. If he doesn't or if he gets hurt, no big deal, the team can walk away at the end of the season.
That would give them a rotation of Hamels, Myers, Moyer, Kendrick, Eaton/Benson with Happ or Outman as potential call ups. Its not as sexy as Santana or Haren, but lets face it, the team doesn;t have the prospects to acquire those guys. They need to add depth, and can do so with some one year contracts with Benson, Jenkins, and maybe a multi year for Otsuka.
Posted by RG | December 18, 2007 10:27 AM
Posted on December 18, 2007 10:27
I did mean Jenkins. For some odd reason I’ve had Greg Jeffries on the brain lately. I can’t explain it.
Posted by B Dub | December 18, 2007 10:54 AM
Posted on December 18, 2007 10:54
Todd,
Can you confirm that the Phils have made an offer to Kyle Lohse? According to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports - Lohse is considering offers from the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, both of which could go to four years.
Posted by Anonymous | December 18, 2007 11:00 AM
Posted on December 18, 2007 11:00
Rrring, rrring!
Hello, Phillies offices.
Is Dr. Michael Ciccotti there?
No, I'm sorry but he's reviewing the medical records of Freddy Garcia, Tom Gordon, Adam Eaton, Joe Borowski and Francisco Rosario to see what he missed the first time.
How about Kris Benson?
No, he's fine.
Posted by jrquixote | December 18, 2007 11:43 AM
Posted on December 18, 2007 11:43
jrquixote...bet post of the day.
You would think that if they are so anxious to upgrade the pitching staff, they would have upgraded the medical team that evaluates the suspects. Since their record has been so good to date.
All things being equal, if we can get him on the cheap, let's go for it. This team needs every arm it can get.
Posted by jimmymack | December 18, 2007 11:53 AM
Posted on December 18, 2007 11:53
ZO:
I'm good with this as long as he brings Anna with him.
Posted by Pete | December 18, 2007 12:39 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 12:39
I think giving Benson a one year incentive-laden deal makes lots of sense. But am I the only one who thinks offering Carlos Silva a 3yr deal at around 30 million isn't a bad thing (hey, it's not MY money). He's pretty durable and consistent and with no DH in the NL, you figure his numbers would improve.
Posted by steve | December 18, 2007 12:45 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 12:45
If Benson is healthy he would be worth signing for a year. But let's see if Bartolo Colon has any interest in coming here, as well. ALso, I would like to see Adam Eaton in the bullpen as a long reliever, as it may allow him to contribute more to the Phils in the long run. Make him earn a starters job instead of handing it to him.
Posted by John Gill | December 18, 2007 2:21 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 14:21
yet no interest in taking a flyer on mark prior....
Posted by Anonymous | December 18, 2007 3:17 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 15:17
I wouldn't be so sure that Kendrick is going to be the number 4. I hope last year wasn't a fluke. I'm rooting for him to repeat his success. But the fact is he could easily be outperformed by Eaton, Benson, Lohse or Silva.
Posted by GoPhils | December 18, 2007 3:32 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 15:32
I say no to Benson, after Garcia and Lieber.
Do you see how small his head looks on that body? It's a weird photo.
Livan Hernandez on the Jenny Craig plan for two years works for me, plus Geoff Jenkins and a midsummer starting pitcher.
How about Kansas City signs Benson? Perfect. They love pin-up wives in the Midwest.
Posted by eman | December 18, 2007 10:17 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 22:17
No Way!! Has anyone seen his allowed home run totals in his career? When he pitched less than 200 IP, his HR allowed stat was through the roof. Worse than Eaton or Hammels during a FULL YEAR!!! This was in Camden Yards so imagine that arm giving up more HRs in a park that was voted easiest to hit HRs both statistically and by choice!!!! Find me a GROUND BALL pitcher. Anyone!!! I would much rather have a crappy Ground Ball Pitcher who has a shot at a 10 win season with less HRs and a gargantuan ERA. Sorry....not worth throwing a dime at a HR pitcher. Even if they are a reliver!!! Look at JC Romero...a match made in heaven in CBP, and he has the track record of being a OK reliever. But he throws those bad ass Double Play Balls!!! Be More Creative Mr. Gillick!!!
Posted by Cristobal | December 18, 2007 11:27 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 23:27
I think Kris Benson has a better shot of pitching in the Northern League than the National League. That injury takes a lot of rest, then time to build up his arm strength. You can't count on his health or attitude to last long.
Posted by Paic42 | December 19, 2007 12:49 AM
Posted on December 19, 2007 00:49
To the guy who has Greg Jeffries on the brain....GET HELP IMMEDIATELY,
The only positive thing about your fixation is that it is not Steve Jeltz
Posted by Michael | December 19, 2007 7:30 AM
Posted on December 19, 2007 07:30
Hey, the Mets just signed Wise, a relief pitcher for 1 year at 1.2 million. His stats didn't look all that bad, especially for a one year 1.2 million contract. Wonder why Pat didn't go after him? Spend 1 mil for an extra arm, hell yeah I'd do that.
"Wise was 3-2 with a 4.19 ERA and one save in a career-high 56 appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers this season. He struck out 43 and walked 17 in 53 2-3 innings."
Posted by J | December 19, 2007 9:22 AM
Posted on December 19, 2007 09:22
Here's another vote for Lohse and/or Silva. Sure they're both pathetically mediocre. But they're both groundball pitchers. Just look at Lohse last year. What did he start for the Phils, like 14 games or something? But only had three decisions - and NO losses. That tells me he kept the Phils and their bats close enough EVERY time. He didn't have those games with a three-run homer in the first and a two-run shot in the third and finish that beer Joe we're gettin outa here. Somehow kept us close. That's worth 10 mil/year in today's market. And as Steve says, it's not my money!
Posted by PhillyWilly | December 19, 2007 11:05 AM
Posted on December 19, 2007 11:05
PhillyWilly- while i agree that Lohse kept the Phils close enough in his starts last year, it wasn't because he was pitching phenomenally well. it was because the Phillies can hit phenomenally well. additionally, he's not a groundball pitcher at all. Silva is, but Lohse is definitely not. need i remind you of the grand slam he gave up to Kaz Matsui in game 2 of the NLDS...
Lohse can keep us in games, so can Silva, so if they'll back down off of their four year demands then make a run at them, but they know they're competent enough pitchers to keep teams in games and they want to get (over)paid for it! it's not a smart baseball decision.
if it was, both of these guys would have signed somewhere by now. but all the teams are waiting to play out the short term options before they overcommit to a warm body like Lohse or Silva.
Posted by Lea | December 19, 2007 11:50 AM
Posted on December 19, 2007 11:50