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Last week we had readers submit questions for Chase Utley.
Read his answers here. Listen to the audio here.
So at the suggestion of GM-Carson at We Should Be GM's, I asked Mike Schmidt if he would be interested in participating. He said he would. So submit your questions for Schmidt. But please e-mail them to me here. Include your first name, first initial of your last name and city and state where you live. I'll take them for the next 24 hours, so hop to it.
The Phillies announced that closer Brad Lidge had successful surgery on his right knee today in Philadelphia.
It will be three to six weeks before he pitching for the Phillies.
Team physician Michael Ciccotti performed the surgery
"He went in and cleaned out about 15 to 18 percent of it, which leaves him a good 80 percent of the meniscus left," Phillies athletic trainer Scott Sheridan said. "For us, it really was the best case scenario that it was the only thing going on. His other side of the knee that he had repaired (Oct. 1) was fine, so it's pretty simple for us."
Brad Lidge is having surgery on his right knee today in Philadelphia.
He might not fully recover for six weeks.
The season opener is five weeks away. So if the Phillies' timetable is accurate, the worst-case scenario is that Lidge misses a week. The best-case scenario is that Lidge is pitching with a couple weeks remaining on the Grapefruit League schedule. I'm not a big believer in timetables. Tom Gordon spent 2 1/2 months on the DL last season. Brett Myers spent a little more than two months on the DL. Each of their recoveries took much longer than expected.
Of course, they had shoulder problems.
This is a knee.
Does that make a difference? The Phillies consider this surgery a minor operation, so minor that Lidge is expected to begin throwing again next week. But until he's on the mound, he's not on the mound ... ifyouknowhatimsayin'. Until Lidge is healthy, Gordon is this team's closer. The Phillies have no plans to return Myers to the bullpen.
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Jim Salisbury took a stroll to Pat Gillick's office after he heard the news about Lidge's surgery.
Gillick isn't panicking.
In fact, he seemed pretty relaxed. He had plenty of experience handling injuries after Gordon, Myers, Chase Utley, Freddy Garcia, Ryan Howard, Jon Lieber, Shane Victorino and others had them last year.
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Unless there's a catastrophe the Phillies said Myers will remain in the rotation. But here's what Myers told us yesterday about that possibility:
"First of all, the injury just happened. Let's see where Brad is at. I hope he's OK because he makes our team better, if healthy. It makes us better with him there and me in the rotation. That's why I was OK with the move.''
If they came to you and asked if you'd go back?
"I'd do whatever they ever want me to do. I'd do it. I'm a team player.''
But you've indicated you didn't want to move back and forth?
"It's early in spring training. Everyone (pitchers) is doing the same thing. I said I didn't want to be jacked around, but I like closing. It fits my personality. Whatever they want to do, I'll do it. I'd just prefer not to do it after I've made four of five starts. I'm preparing as a starter, but I'd do whatever they need."
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Kris Benson continues to see progress. So do the Phillies. But like Lidge, until he's on the mound, he's not on the mound. (The notebook isn't online today, but click the link to read it below.)
Brad Lidge is having knee surgery tomorrow in Philadelphia.
He said it will take three to six weeks to fully recover.
Lidge, who reinjured his surgically repaired right knee Saturday while throwing live batting practice at the Carpenter Complex, had a MRI today in Clearwater. He said the MRI showed "no big, new tears, nothing substantially wrong. But enough on the medial side of the knee that would warrant a scope. We're going to do a scope and clean out some of the small tears and get that done with, so it won't bother me during the season."
Lidge had two options:
1) Get the surgery.
2) Let it heal naturally.
"The scope has a pretty fast recovery time," Lidge said. "Ideally, if everything went right I wouldn't miss any of the season. That'd be a good 4 1/2 weeks (away). But that'll be based on how it feels, obviously. Right now, if this came up again during the season and we had to do it then, then you're obviously missing a big chunk of the season rather than a big chunk of spring training."
The three-to-six week timeframe is when Lidge could be throwing competitively, he said.
"The first week (after surgery) you're off it, and then you start going pretty good after that," Lidge said. "It's three to six weeks before games."
Lidge had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee Oct. 1. He entered camp with the knee about 80 percent healthy.
So how concerned should Phillies fan be about Brad Lidge's knee?
It's too early to tell.
(Update: Lidge walked into the clubhouse this morning with his knee wrapped, but seemed to be without much of a limp. Of course, walking and throwing a fastball are two totally different things. We expect an update later.)
We could learn more today. Lidge is expected to have his right knee, which he had surgically repaired after last season, examined today. He tweaked it yesterday while throwing batting practice at the Carpenter Complex. He said afterward he felt a pulling sensation. He said the knee later swelled up, and that he expects it to be sore today. He also thinks he will miss the next couple days.
Lidge's knee has been at about 80 percent this spring, but the Phillies have said the knee shouldn't be an issue and he should be ready to go on opening day March 31 ... unless yesterday's mishap is a setback or develops into a bigger problem.
Then there's trouble.
Real trouble.
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So Jim Salisbury takes the short trip to Dunedin on Friday to check out Blue Jays camp, where he runs into Scott Rolen.
So, what's new Scott?
Well, I would have accepted a trade to Philadelphia had they been able to trade for me.
Come again? Yep, Rolen, who left on bad terms in Philadelphia, was so desperate to get away from Cardinals manager Tony La Russa that he would have accepted a trade to the Phillies. The Phillies had concerns about Rolen's contract and health, and understandibly so. But could you imagine an infield for the next three seasons (Rolen's and Jimmy Rollins' contracts expire after the 2010 season -- although the Phillies have a 2011 club option for Rollins) that included Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Rollins and Rolen?
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Read Salisbury's Extra Bases.
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The Phillies said Kris Benson continues to make progress on the mound. He hopes to take another step forward today, although his ability to crack the rotation come March 31 remains a big question.
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Another Phillies commercial.
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A book about the 1977 Phillies is ready to purchase. Go here for more information.
The Phillies said it's nothing serious.
They hope so.
Closer Brad Lidge, the team's key offseason acquisition that allowed the Phillies to return Brett Myers to the rotation, limped off the field this morning after he caught his spike in the mound while throwing live batting practice on Ashburn Field at the Carpenter Complex.
Lidge had just started to throw batting practice when he stopped after he threw a pitch. Manager Charlie Manuel, pitching coach Rich Dubee and athletic trainer Scott Sheridan conferred with Lidge on the mound. Lidge then limped back into the Phillies' clubhouse with Sheridan.
Lidge had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee after last season with the Houston Astros. He has said his knee is not 100 percent, but would be able to pitch by Opening Day. The Phillies said he stopped throwing for precautionary reasons because he felt some irritation in the knee.
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A video report of Lidge's injury, which includes photo and video of the pitch and the aftermath.
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This Phillies commercial is based off Reservoir Dogs.
Last week I asked loyal Zo Zone readers -- as opposed to you communists out there -- to submit questions to Chase Utley. Well, I combed through countless questions and picked 10 of the best. A few are baseball related. Most are not. And that's why I think you'll like the Q&A with Utley in today's Inquirer.
Listen to the audio here.
My personal favorite:
Question: There are two cages over a pit of lava and both are descending. In one cage there are blueprints for revolutionary emissions-free technology. In the other is Shane Victorino. You can only save one. Which one do you save? - Greg G., Washington, DC.
Answer: OK ... I'm going to have to save my centerfielder. I'm saving my centerfielder, yes. I have his back. Hopefully he'd do the same for me.
The look on Utley's face when I asked that question was priceless. If he thought I was crazy before, he certainly thinks so today. But give the guy credit, he rolled with the punches and answered the questions well.
I plan on picking a new player, coach, manager or front office official every week for you guys -- as long as I don't get blown off, which is always a possibility. So keep checking the blog for next week's Q&A participant/victim. And remember: e-mail me your questions with your first name, first initial to your last name and residence.
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The Phillies see Carlos Carrasco as a top of the rotation starter, but he remains a few years away. Phillies assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle explains why.
"He's matured every year, but I think he still has more maturing to go," Arbuckle said. "Both physically and mentally. I think he needs another full year at the minor-league level. At least. He can alter that timetable for us by what he does, but my gut is that he needs another full year. ... But I think he can be an upper part of the rotation guy. The stuff is there. Athleticism. Body strength. All the raw ingredients you look for are there. Realistically, I don't think you know if a guy can be a No. 1 or a No. 2 until he gets there. Because you get to see their mental make up then. But the stuff is there definitely to pitch up there.")
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The Phillies have sold 250,000 individual tickets already. They had sold 150,000 at this time last year. ... Lefthander Joe Savery, the team's first-round pick last year, will start Tuesday's exhibition against Florida State at Bright House Field. He will throw two innings. ... The Phillies signed righthander Kyle Kendrick, infielders Greg Dobbs and Brad Harman and outfielder T.J. Bohn to split contracts. Split contracts mean the player is paid one amount if they are on the 25-man roster, and a different number if they are in the minor leagues.
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OK, I promise today will be the last day we talk about Ryan Howard and salary arbitration.
Really, I swear.
But because it's only one day after Howard's big victory over the Phillies, it's still worth another look.
If you're a Phillies fan, this is a big deal. It's a big deal because if you were wondering, "Why don't the Phillies just sign Howard to a multiyear contract already like Chase Utley?" you're really underestimating the situation. Because now that Howard, who is in his first year of arbitration, is earning $3 million more this year than Albert Pujols earned in his first year of arbitration, you can expect Team Howard to stick to its guns even more than before.
Not that they were pushovers to begin with.
There are indications that Howard, who acknowledged his father Ron's role in negotiations, is seeking much more than the eight-year, $136 million contract Alfonso Soriano signed last year. We're not saying it's going to approach Alex Rodriguez's last contract. But anything that totals $200 million or more isn't out of the question. Think about that for a second. That's a TON of money. And unless the Phillies suddenly decide to really pump up their payroll -- paging billionaire John Middleton -- they're going to have some terribly difficult decisions to make in the future.
Fortunately for the Phillies, Howard can't become a free agent until after the 2011 season so they have time. Unfortunately for them, they could face three more arbitration hearings with Howard. And Howard could keep producing like he has, which means his asking price will keep going up.
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Jim Salisbury tells us why yesterday's ruling is ground breaking and game changing. It absolutely is.
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Chris Coste's new book hits stores March 18. He got a look at the first official copy.
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Talked with the Sports Radio 950 Morning Show. Listen to the podcast here.
Ryan Howard has won his salary arbitration hearing against the Phillies, a baseball source told The Inquirer this morning.
He will make $10 million this season.
The Phillies had offered $7 million.
"We'll talk after," Howard said before the team's workout this morning at Bright House Field. "I've got to get dressed now."
Howard smiled easily as he talked on his cell phone outside the Phillies' clubhouse. Teammate Jimmy Rollins gave him a high five on his way back to his locker. The $10 million is a record for a player who has won a salary arbitration hearing. Alfonso Soriano earned $10 million from the Washington Nationals in 2006, but he actually lost his case after seeking $12 million. Andruw Jones had won a record $8.2 million from the Atlanta Braves in 2001.
The Phillies suffered their first loss in arbitration. They are 7-1.
Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the team negotiated with Howard's agent, Casey Close, about a contract "in a variety of lengths" as late as yesterday morning before the hearing at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg. He said they thought they were close to a deal, but it's uncertain how close.
"Close doesn't get it done, though," Amaro said.
Amaro wouldn't say if this ruling will impact the potential for a multiyear deal.
"I think it's a little fresh in our minds right now," he said. "We'll just worry about getting ready for the season and moving forward."
It is believed reaching an agreement with Howard on a multiyear contract is going to be difficult. He could be seeking a contract far in excess of the seven-year, $100 million contract extension St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols received in 2004.
"This is too fresh in our minds right now to even start dealing with that kind of stuff," Amaro said. "I think what we're focused on now is, one, it's over with. And, two, we've got to go play baseball now."
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See video of Howard and Amaro here.
Listen to audio of Howard's interview with reporters here. Listen to audio of the Amaro interview here.
Today is Decision Day.
$7 million?
$10 million?
Both sound like pretty sweet salaries to me, but if you're Ryan Howard, you definitely feel $10 million is the just number. Howard had his salary arbitration hearing yesterday at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg. Howard said a few words after the hearing before his agent, Casey Close, rushed him away.
Close said they will have more to say today. The Phillies, who detoured out a side door to avoid reporers after the hearing, also are expected to speak. It should be interesting, both in the ruling and what the parties have to say afterward.
What do we talk about after Howard's case is finished?
Baseball?
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Jimmy Rollins met with reporters yesterday at Bright House Field. He talked about his new shoes, his contract (what a bargain), the Mets, Carlos Beltran and going deeper in the playoffs this year.
Listen to audio of the complete 25-minute Rollins interview here. Or check out a five-minute video clip of the Rollins interview here.
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Scott Mathieson received good news from orthopedist Lewis Yocum about his right elbow.
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Aaron Rowand has turned Bowling with Phillies into Bowling with the Giants.
Now we wait.
Ryan Howard's salary arbitration hearing concluded a couple hours ago at a St. Petersburg hotel, but the result isn't expected until tomorrow. Howard is seeking $10 million. The Phillies have offered $7 million.
"It was cool," Howard said. "It was a different experience being in there, but as far as a result we'll find out tomorrow."
Houston Astros president Tal Smith prepared and presented the case for the Phillies. He runs Tal Smith Enterprises, which specializes in representing management in baseball arbitration cases.
"You don't leave happy until you have a result," Smith said. "Both sides would like to win, but it's not contentious. Really, it's not what people think. They think it's a lot of animosity, but that's not so. It's a debate about what's the appropriate salary. I don't think there's any ill feelings."
Howard gave conflicting signals afterward. He smiled often and said he was upbeat, but when asked for his take on the hearings after Smith said they weren't contentious, he said, "Ah, I don't know about that, but we'll see tomorrow."
But then in the next breath, he said, "I'm always upbeat. Did you think I'd be anything different? I'm always upbeat regardless. We went in. We had the process. We find out tomorrow how it goes, but either way it is what it is."
Service time no doubt was a big part of the Phillies' argument against Howard.
"That's certanly a major portion of the criteria," Smith said. "It's the length and consistency of the career. Basically that's what the discussion is about. There's no denying his performance. It's a question of how that slots in with the rest of the criteria."
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Actually got booted by some "security guard" at the hotel. But me and a couple other writers snuck back in and purchased some beverages to make ourselves official paying customers. Why is there no love for the media?
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Check out The Inquirer's video report: Jimmy Rollins meets the press.
Hey everyone, this is Jonathan Tannenwald, host of the PhilliesCast, coming to you from the mother ship on North Broad Street.
I just got word from Todd down in Clearwater that Ryan Howard's salary arbitration hearing has ended.
Howard hasn't emerged yet, but his Escalade is parked in front of the building where the hearing is taking place. Tal Smith, who prepared the case for the Phillies, said the hearing wasn't contentious.
Stay tuned.
UPDATE: Todd filed this story earlier this afternoon, and there are some good quotes in it from Smith.
"It doesn't need to be [contentious], it's nothing more than a continuation of the debate that the parties had during the negotiation [process]," he said. "I don't think it's anything degrading or demeaning at all."
Smith also discussed how Howard's three years of service in baseball factored into the hearing.
"That's certainly a major portion of the criteria - length and consistency of a career. Basically, that's what the debate is about," he said. "There's no denying his performance, it's a question of how that slots in with the rest of the criteria."
Ryan Howard's arbitration hearing has begun. It could take a long time before it concludes, but even when it does we don't expect a resolution. That might come within 24 hours.
Stay tuned.
The day is upon us.
Ryan Howard has his salary arbitration hearing today. In case you've been living under a rock for the past month, Howard is seeking $10 million from the Phillies, which would set a record for the most money won in an arbitration ruling. (Alfonso Soriano lost his case with the Nationals in 2006, but still picked up $10 million. Ah, to be a loser and still make $10 million.) The Phillies have offered Howard $7 million, which ties the most money offered a player in his first year of arbitration eligibility.
Who's the favorite?
I'm giving the Phillies a slight edge, based on their 7-0 record in arbitration cases and the fact that Howard's service time might come into play. Howard has less service time than the biggest arbitration winners: Soriano, Andruw Jones and Miguel Cabrera. But Howard's historic start to his career -- no player has hit 100 home runs faster than Howard -- could come into play.
Put it this way, I wouldn't bet my house on either side.
But what exactly happens behind those closed doors? Jim Salisbury talked with one baseball executive and two player agents about just that. It's a good look at how these things work.
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The Phillies held their first full squad workout yesterday. Charlie Manuel addressed the team, and while he thought he had given better spring training speeches, he seemed to get his message across.
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Mike Schmidt likes what he has seen so far from Pedro Feliz.
Got a question for Chase Utley?
Every week this season I would like to ask a Phillies player, coach, manager or front office official questions submitted by Inquirer readers (that's the plan, but it could blow up in my face). Utley has been kind of enough to kick off this thing for me. So if you have a question for Utley, shoot me an e-mail here. Please include your name and where you're from. They can be baseball questions, but I'd also like to mix in a few off beat questions as well. So try to be creative and have some fun with this. I'm going to shoot for 10 to 15 questions.
I'll take questions for the next 24 hours.
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Check out The Inquirer's video report from the first full squad workout here.
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Check out this week's Philliescast here.
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Click here to see video from Kyle Kendrick and Brett Myers' appearance on The Today Show.
It's hard to believe, but Pat Burrell has more tenure than any other Phillies player.
He enters his ninth season in a Phillies uniform.
This could be his last.
He talked about that possibility yesterday at Bright House Networks Field. Burrell is in the final year of a six-year, $50 million contract. It seems unlikely he returns, but you never know. It has been an up and down career for Burrell. He had a tremendous season in 2002, when he hit .282 with 37 home runs and 116 RBIs -- his first full season in the majors. The bottom fell in 2003, when he hit .209 with 21 homers and 64 RBIs. He struggled a bit in 2004, but rebounded in 2005 when he hit .281 with 32 homers and 117 RBIs.
He started last season terribly, hitting .201 on July 1 before he finished at .256 with 30 homers and 97 RBIs overall.
He said yesterday he is 100 percent open to talking with the Phillies about returning after this season. Those talks likely would not happen until after the season, if they happen at all. But Burrell seemed to have things in the proper perspective yesterday. He opened up and talked for about 30 minutes, which might be the longest stretch he has ever talked to reporters -- at least since I've been on the beat.
Maybe he's a changed man. Or maybe he senses the end is near.
Or maybe he just wanted to get us out of the way.
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A photo slideshow from Monday's workout.
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Phil Sheridan thinks the Phillies should tank tomorrow's arbitration hearing with Ryan Howard.
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In the Phillies notebook: Wes Helms talks about his future, Mike Schmidt arrives as a guest instructor, Kyle Kendrick is getting tired of talking about the prank, Eric Bruntlett arrived at camp and Scott Mathieson visited orthopedist Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles.
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Oh, yeah, today is the team's first full squad workout.
Jimmy Rollins is expected to make his first apperance this morning as well. Update: Rollins is here, and he quickly put on his Burrell shirt.
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We're not worthy! We're not worthy!
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Jim Salisbury attended the Andy Pettitte news conference in Tampa.
What a zoo.
Wes Helms met with reporters yesterday and talked about his uncertain future with the Phillies.
Listen to the interview here.
Helms appears caught in a numbers game. If the Phillies carry 12 pitchers, they have room for five bench players. Unless there is an injury those jobs appear headed to Chris Coste, Greg Dobbs, Jayson Werth, So Taguchi and Eric Bruntlett. If the Phillies carry 11 pitchers, Helms has a shot. But even then he might need to out play Chris Snelling.
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Check out The Inquirer's video report from Monday's workout here.
"So this year, to Jimmy Rollins, we are the team to beat." - Carlos Beltran
"He's just trying to pull a Jimmy, when you can't have a sequel. Sequels are always terrible." - Brett Myers
Sequels can be bad. I mentioned a couple bad ones in today's story about the Phillies' reaction to Beltran's boast. Caddyshack II and Teen Wolf Too immediately came to mind. Terrible, terrible movies.
But some sequels are good.
Aliens.
Empire Strikes Back.
(At least in my opinion.)
The Mets hope to be better than that.
At least this back and forth between the Phillies and Mets makes life more interesting this season. Rivalries make for great drama. If it takes some trash talk to get it started, fine. I like that. And while I know some players shrug off the talk, they can't ignore the energy in the stadiums in Philadelphia and New York, which absolutely feels different than the energy in Atlanta or Florida or Washington or anywhere else for that matter. These games are bigger. They mean more.
Beltran's boast just adds to it.
"Different guys have different ways to pump up their team," Mets third baseman David Wright told Mets reporters. "Personally, I don't feel the need to declare anything, because talk is cheap, especially in February."
"I thought what David Wright said was interesting," centerfielder Shane Victorino said. "Talk is cheap in February."
It might be cheap, but it'll last for the next eight months.
And that's a good thing.
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The folks at Baseball Prospectus would agree with Beltran: the Mets are the team to beat in the National League East. Its PECOTA projected 2008 standings has the Phillies finishing a distant third in the NL East at 84-78, behind the Mets (96-66) and Braves (86-76).
Baseball Prospectus has nailed the 1-2 spots in the NL East the past two seasons, so the projections can't be completely dismissed. PECOTA simply thinks the Phillies pitching staff is going to continue to struggle. The projected Phillies' rotation looks like this: Cole Hamels (14-8, 3.45 ERA last season), Brett Myers (11-7, 3.83), Kyle Kendrick (11-14, 5.35), Jamie Moyer (8-7, 4.25), and Adam Eaton (7-8, 5.18). Compare that to the projected Mets' rotation: Johan Santana (17-8, 2.94), Pedro Martinez (9-6, 3.37), John Maine (10-9, 4.03), Oliver Perez (9-8, 4.22), and Orlando Hernandez (6-6, 4.08).
But who trusts computers anyway, right?
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Jim Salisbury talks with J.C. Romero, who was a big reason why the Phillies overcame the Mets last September.
The Phillies are on the hook for just $100,000 with Kris Benson.
Jim Salisbury thinks that makes Benson a smart bet. If Benson performs like the Phillies hope, he could make as much as $5.1 million this season. But that's only if he makes 30 starts and reaches 200 innings.
It's a bargain if he does that.
If he doesn't, they obviously pay much less.
Benson's out clause says he must be on the big-league roster by March 25 or be released. But it sounds like Benson will use that clause only if he thinks there's no chance of making the team, or if the Phillies basically tell him there's no chance. If he thinks he can help the Phillies at some point, he said he'd be willing to make some starts in the minor leagues to get his arm strength back to where it needs to be.
Listen to his interview with reporters yesterday here.
Read Extra Bases from the Sunday baseball column.
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Here's the story about yesterday's prank on Kyle Kendrick. Check out the blog post from yesterday as well. Bugs & Cranks has Comcast SportsNet's Kendrick footage here.
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Read the Phillies notebook here, which includes Benson's thoughts on the stir his wife Anna Benson can create.
"It just goes along with the territory," Benson said. "It doesn't bother me one bit. Some of the stuff that's written, like I read the other day that she's a Penthouse model. Come on, man - she's not in Penthouse. Look up her name and show me some pictures where she was in Penthouse. You just run into that kind of stuff. It's not a big deal. She has fun with it. I have fun with it."
"It's entertaining. Baseball is a little boring sometimes, so you've got to spruce it up a little bit. It keeps me one my toes and keeps you guys on your toes. As long as you guys don't talk too much smack it's all good."
There will be no smack talking here.
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Any Hulkamaniacs out there? Ran into Hulk Hogan -- almost literally -- walking out of a Clearwater sushi restaurant last night. Got to be honest, I thought he'd be bigger. I mean, I think Ryan Howard definitely could throw the Hulkster around a little bit.
If I ever wrestled anybody, I think it'd have to be Hornswoggle. Brock Lesnar I am not.
Carlos Beltran has made a prediction:
“Let me tell you this: Without (Johan) Santana, we felt as a team we have a chance to win in our division. With him now, I have no doubt that we’re going to win in our division. I have no doubt in that. We’ve got what it takes. We have good chemistry as a team. He fits great because he’s a great guy. He’s one of the best pitchers in the game. Who doesn’t want to have him on any ballclub? Without him last year we did good until the end of the season. So this year, to Jimmy Rollins, we are the team to beat.”
Better back up those words, Carlos.
The Phillies traded Kyle Kendrick today.
To the Yomiuri Giants.
In Japan.
For Kobayashi Iwamura.
“Do they have good food in Japan?” a dazed Kendrick asked reporters. “I don’t know what to think right now.”
Unbelieveable, huh?
Completely unbelievable. The Phillies pulled an elaborate prank that involved Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., manager Charlie Manuel, director of team travel and clubhouse services Frank Coppenbarger, Kendrick's agent Joe Urbon, pitcher Brett Myers and pretty much everybody else in the clubhouse -- including the media, who was asked to hold an impromptu news conference at Bright House Networks Field.
Kendrick absolutely believed he had been traded to Japan. Nevermind that players can't be traded to Japan.
"Are you shocked now?" a reporter asked Kendrick.
"Yeah," Kendrick said.
"You know what I say?" Myers chimed in. "You got PUNK'D!"
The clubhouse erupted in laughter and cheers. Kendrick totally had been had.
"I've never been so happy. Seriously," Kendrick said.
Listen to Kendrick being interviewed in front of his locker HERE. Watch video HERE. Kendrick seriously is stunned, then relieved when Myers breaks the news that he's been punk'd.
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Kris Benson threw 60 pitches off the mound today. He's hopeful he can be ready to pitch by Opening Day, but he seems realistic that it might take him longer than that. Listen to the Benson interview HERE. Hang until the end to hear him talk about his wife Anna.
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Eleven players have agreed to split contracts for 2008: pitchers Joe Bisenius, Fabio Castro, Clay Condrey, John Ennis, J.A. Happ, Lincoln Holdzkom, Shane Youman and Mike Zagurski; and catchers Chris Coste, Jason Jaramillo and Carlos Ruiz.
So everybody seems a little freaked about the Ryan Howard contract stuff.
Don't be.
Relax.
Jim Salisbury puts this whole thing into perspective. He writes:
"Oh, what's that you say, he could bolt in November 2011? OK. That's four seasons away. The Phillies have won one World Series in 125 years and zero playoff games in the last 14. So pardon us if we don't break out in hives worrying about something that might - repeat, might - happen after the 2011 season.
"Don't buy all that stuff about the relationship's being irreparably fractured if the Phillies don't meet Howard's price. Money can have tremendous healing power."
Exactly. All this talk about how Howard is going to be so upset if he loses his hearing, if he doesn't get a multiyear extension immediately, is ridiculous. If he loses his hearing Wednesday and next winter the Phillies come to him with a multiyear extension he thinks is fair, he's going to sign.
Of course, word is Howard is looking for significantly more than the seven-year, $100 million contract extension Albert Pujols signed in 2004. Much more. So it's unknown if the Phillies and Howard can come to such an agreement. But the point is there is time to figure out things like that.
So relax.
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A reporter asked Howard who is calling the shots on his side: he, his parents or his agent? Howard's family has gone through three agents in recent years. One of his former agents, Larry Reynolds, actually requested a trade for Howard before the 2005 season. Howard, who wouldn't answer questions about his contract situation, declined to answer.
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