The Phillies still need pitching.
They just can't find any, unless you want to grossly overpay for some mediocre pitcher who's going to have Phillies fans frustrated and angry come June.
"Same old, same old," manager Charlie Manuel said yesterday. "Just talk."
"It's been a frustrating few days," said Mike Arbuckle, the team's assistant general manager. "We've done a lot of talking with a lot of people and right now we're just kind of treading water."
The Phillies made another offer yesterday to Japanese righthander Hiroki Kuroda, which was believed to be for three years and about $30 million. But the Phils and Kuroda were so far apart that general manager Pat Gillick said they were out of the Kuroda sweepstakes.
*
The Phillies continued to speak with Rocky Hall, the agent for Tadahito Iguchi.
They met once in the morning, with the Phillies making a one-year offer that included an option for a second year. They spoke again later in the afternoon, and the Phillies upped their offer. The sides appear to be closer, but the Phillies aren't optimistic that they can make a deal because Iguchi would need a baseball rule to be waived to allow him to re-sign with the Phillies.
Because the Phillies released Iguchi after the season, as required in his contract, they cannot sign him to a major-league contract until May 15. Hall said he had gone to the commissioner's office to seek a waiver and he hopes to have an answer within two days to a week. However, a baseball official said last night that the commissioner's office was not aware of Hall's request.
*
The Phillies kicked around third baseman Brandon Inge's name yesterday. Inge is available after the Detroit Tigers acquired Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins. But Inge is owed $19.1 million over the next three seasons, which could dampen any exploration of a deal.
*
The Phils continue to talk with Aaron Rowand's agent, Carl Landis, but Gillick acknowledged that a deal is unlikely. "Yeah, I'd say it's a long shot," he said.
*
Today is the Rule 5 Draft.
More on that later.
Comments (10)
Its disappointing, but I don't disagree with their approach of not overpaying for mediocre players. I was hoping that Jones' signing with the Dodgers would lead Rowand back to Philly for a fair price since there aren't many others that are interested.
Posted by Tim | December 6, 2007 10:32 AM
Posted on December 6, 2007 10:32
I'd call these winter meetings a success if:
1. An outfielder - namely Rowand - is acquired.
2. Pitching help - specifically a starter - is picked up in the Rule 5 draft.
I don't think a Dobbs/Helms platoon would be a downgrade at third (though it's certainly not an upgrade). So at this point, the team needs to turn its attention to pitching and the outfield.
Posted by V | December 6, 2007 10:40 AM
Posted on December 6, 2007 10:40
It seems like business as usual for the Phils. They just won't spend the money necessary to win it all. I have no confidence that they will this off season. If they really wanted to win they'd compete with other teams that will spend the money. Losing Rowand (as it appears they are about to do) after a career year is inexcusable! Surely his loss will mean lack of production overall and he is a good CF.
I'll always be a fan, but sometimes it's difficult to care.
Posted by James L (forever a Phillies Fan!) | December 6, 2007 10:53 AM
Posted on December 6, 2007 10:53
Anything interesting to report about the 2 guys that the Phillies picked in the Rule 5 draft? Also, I just heard that the Tigers have approached the Mets about Dontrelle Willis and Pudge...
Posted by Jim | December 6, 2007 11:28 AM
Posted on December 6, 2007 11:28
Any thoughts or info on the "rumor" printed in today's "Metro" that the Phils were offering Kendrick, Victorino and a pair of "unnamed prospects" to the Orioles for Bedard??
Seems like WAY too much to give up for one pitcher, especially one who had a similar season to Kendrick's. Plus, if we ose Rowand and give up Victorino, who would move to the outfield?
Check out: http://philly.metro.us/metro/sports/article/Gillick_offers_package_for_Erik_Bedard/11004.html
Posted by Andrew | December 6, 2007 11:34 AM
Posted on December 6, 2007 11:34
I'd say that's too little to give up for someone like Bedard. Kendrick is a finesse pitcher, Bedard is a power pitcher - BIG difference. Victorino and Kednrick isn't going to get it done...Think Jamie Moyer compared to Curt Schilling......
Posted by Mike D. | December 6, 2007 11:50 AM
Posted on December 6, 2007 11:50
The Metro story is terribly, terribly off base. First, the Phillies and Orioles haven't even talked. Second, that offer makes NO sense. None. If they trade Victorino who is going to play center field for the Phillies? Werth? OK, who plays right? Roberson? Dobbs? Please. I can't believe that even made the newspaper.
Posted by Todd Zolecki | December 6, 2007 11:58 AM
Posted on December 6, 2007 11:58
I can't believe people are willing to overpay for a mediocre pitcher. Phil's did it last year with Eaton, hopefully they learned their lesson as shown by not signing someone just to sign someone. Yes, right now will be an up hill battle, but it has been that way for the last few years. They are only going to spend so much money, so they need to make the right choices. Gillick made a good choice last year with Garcia, yeah it was good, you cannot predict who is going to be injured throughout the year, they tried that with Borowski, uh 30+ saves later, he is good to go. If Garcia cam out and was the same 15-18 game winner of past, everyone would have said thank you Pat! They need to acquire players that help. Rowand would be one and so would Inge or Guuch, solidfy what you can and go from there, if they can find a trade or FA that helps and does not sell off the farm then great.
Posted by kfil | December 6, 2007 1:36 PM
Posted on December 6, 2007 13:36
The Phillies don't know the difference between quality and mediocrity. Silva is a quality groundball pitcher entering his prime. They keep knocking him at every chance. It's sickening considering these are the same geniuses that handed $25MM to Eaton last year.
Posted by Tom | December 6, 2007 1:54 PM
Posted on December 6, 2007 13:54
kfil, while Borowski led the AL in saves he had an ERA over 5.00.
Posted by typhoon | December 6, 2007 3:36 PM
Posted on December 6, 2007 15:36