The Phillies want Tadahito Iguchi at third base next season.
Iguchi wants to be at third base ... for the most part.
But will it happen? In conversations with two baseball officials last night, it sounds more unlikely than likely. Because the Phillies released Iguchi after the season -- it was required in his contract after they could not sign him to an extension before Nov. 15 -- they can't bring back Iguchi until May. And Iguchi most likely won't rejoin the Phillies if he has to sit out the first month of the season.
So that's the trick, isn't it?
Iguchi's agent, Rocky Hall, would need to secure a waiver from MLB. It has happened in the past, but it's no slam dunk.
Far from it.
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The Phillies will meet with Ryan Howard's agent, Casey Close, this week, although Pat Gillick said a contract extension for Howard was not an immediate concern. Howard is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time and cannot become a free agent until after the 2011 season, when he will turn 32.
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Agent Gregg Clifton has informed the Phillies that free-agent righthander Kris Benson will be throwing on Dec. 17 in Arizona. The Phils would like to see Benson throw to ensure that his surgically repaired right shoulder is healthy.
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Good news: the Marlins traded Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis into the American League, Jim Salisbury writes.
Bad news: the Phillies have done nothing to upgrade their pitching staff.
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Teams continued to pursue Japanese free-agent pitcher Hiroki Kuroda. The Phillies have an offer on the table for Kuroda, but he seems to prefer a West Coast club. Sources say Kuroda will be in the United States next week and visit Phoenix (Diamondbacks), Seattle (Mariners) and Los Angeles (Dodgers).
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Bugs & Cranks ranks the top 10 games from 2007.
