From a Phillies news release:
"Infielder Eric Bruntlett avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract with the Phillies, Assistant General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today.
"Bruntlett, 29, will earn $600,000 this season, plus performance bonuses.
"Acquired from Houston this past November, Bruntlett hit .246 with 14 RBI in 80 games for the Astros last season. In 320 career games, he has a .250 average with nine home runs and 50 RBI. He was a ninth-round selection by Houston in the 2000 draft out of Stanford University.
"Additionally, to make room for third baseman Pedro Feliz on the 40-man roster, the Phillies designated righthander Anderson Garcia for assignment."
*
Obviously, Ryan Howard remains unsigned and likely headed to arbitration Feb. 20.
Comments (36)
Great news. Now I can sleep tonight.
Posted by Anonymous | February 7, 2008 12:55 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 12:55
Thank God, now Ruben has someone to go to the Stanford class reunion with.
Posted by jimmymack | February 7, 2008 1:12 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 13:12
Infielder Eric Bruntlett avoided arbitration by agreeing to a 1-year contract worth $600,000 plus performance bonuses, the Phillies announced today.
Bruntlett was acquired from Houston in the November trade that brought closer Brad Lidge to the Phillies. He hit .246 with 14 RBI in 80 games for the Astros last season.
In 320 career games, he has a .250 average with nine home runs and 50 RBI.
TYPICAL PHILLIES.
NOW THE TYPICAL BRAINWASHED FAN CAN APPLAUD THIS small and cheap and incentive laden SIGNING....
Posted by Truth | February 7, 2008 1:15 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 13:15
Wow - you are really stretching for something to complain about and get people to argue with you on.
Posted by Tim | February 7, 2008 1:34 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 13:34
As we wait for Benson or Colon or some other sore armed pitcher, to save us, we get one guy who hits like any pitcher we already have. Perhaps Bret hits even better!
Posted by Glenn Koons | February 7, 2008 1:37 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 13:37
Damn Truth, now you're just being funny.
I thought you were serious with your previous posts. I wouldn't be surprised if you were Zo just trying to keep things interesting.
Posted by Joe | February 7, 2008 1:50 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 13:50
Truth, as a throw in from the Lidge deal, Bruntlett is a better hitter and cheaper than Nunez who he is replacing. I agree with you that the Phillies have Front Office/ownership/budget issues, but this signing is not one of them. Remember that Bruntlett wanted 750k...
Hopefully this signing means that the Phillies will avoid the arbitration hearing with Howard and come to some sort of a compromise or long term deal, although that seems unlikely.
And Truth, how can you call me "clueless" when I was merely speculating about the future and you stated as fact that Johan Santana is "24" and from the "Dominican Republic"?
Your predictions are not any better than anyone else's, let's see what happens.
Posted by typhoon | February 7, 2008 3:07 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 15:07
What do Truth and Pedro have in common?
They both love cock fights......(but the only difference is that Pedro prefers the kind that involve chicken)
Posted by False | February 7, 2008 3:32 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 15:32
lol
Posted by clinton, nj | February 7, 2008 3:34 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 15:34
So the Ynakees sign Robinson Cano for $7.5 million per year while the Phillies offer Ryan Howard $7 for one year? Is there any doubt that the Phillies are going to lose this arbitration case?
Posted by Bill | February 7, 2008 3:35 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 15:35
I agree, Bill, no way the Phils win that one.
Sidenote: is it just me, or does Zo's pic slightly resemble Jim Carrey???
Posted by Chris | February 7, 2008 3:50 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 15:50
Bill, there is no doubt. Casey (R. Howard's) agent should be fired for not after 12,000,000.
I know those shrewd businessmen in this blog should understand that.
Posted by Truth | February 7, 2008 3:51 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 15:51
Yes, that's what Howard should do, fire another agent.
Posted by Tim | February 7, 2008 4:02 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 16:02
Bill, no doubt at all. Truthfully, I'm not sure they don't know it and made their offer based on that strategy. But I suspect Howard would like to have his number back and raise it to 12MM.
Phil's front office (Monty, Giles)will always follow the MLB party line and try to not be the guys who whack out on salary/time lines (they got yelled at by other owners after the Lance Parrish signing and haven't recovered from the trauma yet). So they follow the salary line with Howard last year...offer the same deal as Big Alfred got (900K). This year, keep it in the 10MM range, they get a bargin, without drawing outside the lines.
Two flaws to the theory 1)they hired Tal Smith for the arbitration hearing and he won't go in there gentle. Maybe he is leverage to get him to settle before the hearing; 2) the other owners don't care about the same rules anymore and the Phil's didn't get the memo.
So they are either smart as a fox or dumb as hell (I know which way Truth will go). If it turns out bad with Howard, i.e., they get to a hearing and really make it a negative, they may never get a long term contract with him done and we'll do this play every year until he's a free agent.
Anyway, it goes to the hearing, they lose. And as a ticket buying fan, I'm OK with Howard at 10 mil. Seems fair to me.
Posted by jimmymack | February 7, 2008 4:10 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 16:10
False great post.......keep them coming
Posted by Anonymous | February 7, 2008 4:22 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 16:22
Guy calm down! The Ryan Howard situation will be fine and it would only have a real impact if he were close to free agency which he isn't.
Bruntletts deals just academics and the guy's needed. The back-up infielders last year were Nunez/Helms so Bruntlett/Dobbs is an upgrade off the bench.
The organisations done everything in their power to get this team in a winning position for '08 without taxing the farm so give them their dues and let this one play out...
Posted by NJ | February 7, 2008 4:23 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 16:23
I wouldn't disagree that 12 mil may have been a better asking price, but the agent knows if he shoots too high, they could end up with 7 mil, because its one or the other, and 10 was probably a number they felt really confident with.
Posted by Tim | February 7, 2008 4:24 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 16:24
Ok, you guys ot me. I am just bored during the off season and am looking ot poke fun just so i can pass the time. Now that pitchers and catchers are about to report i can stop beinging an ass
Posted by Truth | February 7, 2008 4:30 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 16:30
Ok, you guys got me. I am just bored during the off season and am looking ot poke fun just so i can pass the time. Now that pitchers and catchers are about to report i can stop beinging an ass
Posted by Truth | February 7, 2008 4:30 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 16:30
and i also love men. another truthful point
Posted by Truth | February 7, 2008 4:31 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 16:31
Curt Schilling has a bad shoulder, well what would we be saying now if we had signed him??? Bashing everyone we possibly could, that whiner truth would be thats for sure!
Posted by clinton, nj | February 7, 2008 4:36 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 16:36
One of my prayers has been answered: Eric Bruntlett signs witht he Phils. Someone is looking over us, that is for sure. Now the Phils get to insult and denegrate Ryan Howard's performance to save a few bucks in arbitration.
I wonder how much long-term damage they can cause? And maybe even plant the seed to drive this force out of town for good. Smart executives, these Phillies are. And, one more thing for those smart Phillies Fans who worry about how much the team spends --- look as how much the team has won over the years and then shut up.
Posted by Tavian | February 7, 2008 4:50 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 16:50
You know, I've been thinking about the conventional wisdom that the Phils are cheap (which I generally believe), but I've been thinking about the alternative. Does anyone really understand what the consequences would be if they spent more? You don't think they're going to simply eat that cast with a smaller profit margin, do you? No, of course not.
First, I'm sure ticket prices would skyrocket. (How much does a Fenway seat cost nowadays? Yes, I know it's smaller and guaranteed to sell out, but still.) And secondly, they'd redo their TV package, and I'd bet we'd be back to the Prism days, where they have their own channel (as some speculate would happen if Mark Cuban bought them), or Sportsnet would become a premium or spawn a secondary premium pay channel, like NFL Network. If they did manage to squeeze more money out of Comcast, cable would certainly pass the higher cost onto us. Be careful what you wish for.
None of that would be healthy long-term for baseball in this city, but the negatives would be too far in the future for anyone to care now.
Posted by AnotherAnon | February 7, 2008 5:23 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 17:23
Tavian, you hit the nail on the head. This organization has one playoff/fluky season in 13 yrs and this fan base doesn't want them to spend.
They actually encourage them to go to the scrap heap for SCRUBS like Lohse and Benson.
I wish I had the sales/con skills this ownership group has. Instead I choose to tell the Truth and get denigrated.
What bozo's these fans are...
Posted by Truth | February 7, 2008 6:44 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 18:44
Truth you are sooooo pathetic! What truth?? When someone asks you what you would do, you come up with the worst answers. Your a joke man!!!
Posted by clinton, nj | February 7, 2008 7:00 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 19:00
Tavian,
There ain't no pleasin' some people: the Phils look to contend this year so you have to complain about an imaginary slight to Ryan Howard that may drive him out of town IN 2012.
The current Phils organization has built a pretty good team right now. Pls take your own advice: shut up (and enjoy it). Complain in four years when they lose Howard, if they lose Howard.
Posted by Steve | February 7, 2008 8:24 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 20:24
Don't feed the trolls.
If you ignore them they go away.
Posted by Shawn | February 7, 2008 9:27 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 21:27
Truth- did Johann Santana enjoy it when you gave him a blumpkin?
Posted by True or False | February 7, 2008 10:25 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 22:25
TRUTH = ZERO
Posted by Anonymous | February 7, 2008 11:14 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 23:14
Curt Schilling is out possibly until the all - break with a partial tear of his rotator cuff. Kelvim Escobar will start the season on the DL after experiencing stiffness in his shoulder. An MRI showed no structural damage. Pitchers are fragile. All this talk of sore pitchers makes me anxious. I hope Hamels and Myers stay healthy. Hamels is so skinny he looks like a soup bone. I wish that kid would start filling out. He needs some of that growth hormone.
Now I can understand why Kyle Lohse can hold out and keep demanding 4 yrs. Spring training hasn't even begun and two very good pitchers are on the shelf.
I guess if the Phils sign Benson that means there'll be no chance they sign Lohse. I would guess either Benson or Lohse will be a Phillie in the next week or so. That would mean Kendrick would probably start the season in the minor leagues provided Eaton is healthy and somewhat effective. I just wish one of those young guys in the minors was further along. I'll bet Savery moves up the ladder quickly this season.
As a side note, I saw where Billy Rowan out of Bishop Eustace in South Jersey is the #2 prospect in the Orioles farm system. I saw him play in high school. He's a 6'4'' shortstop.
Posted by johnny p | February 7, 2008 11:31 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 23:31
I forgot to say I was only kidding about Hamels being so skinny he should take growth hormone. He's fine just the way he is.
Posted by johnny p | February 7, 2008 11:35 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 23:35
I don't think Lohse is holding out for four years. I believe he's dropped his demand to three years but he still wants $10 million per. The Phils should sign Lohse, Benson or Odalis Perez in the next week or so. I don't see Kendrick going to the minors tho unless he bombs in Spring training. He ended the year as their #2 starter. Maybe Eaton gets shuffled to the bullpen.
Posted by Steve | February 8, 2008 6:49 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 06:49
I automatically like Eric Bruntlett just because he's not No-Hit Nunez.
Posted by GM-Carson | February 8, 2008 7:36 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 07:36
Which team is more pathetic?
You have three teams, two of them have an unlimited budget (teams A & B) and one doesn't(team C). Team A and team C make the playoffs. Team B does not. Teams A and C exit in the same round of the playoffs that team B did not even make it to.
Team A Yankees
Team B Mets
Team C Phillies
Most pathetic? Team B
Just Pathetic Team A
not Pathetic Team C
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2008 7:47 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 07:47
The Phillies are classless and cheap, they don't commit to winning, they could have signed Curt Schilling for $20 mil a year to improve their rotation but are too cheap to do so!!!!!
Posted by Truth | February 8, 2008 8:22 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 08:22
Truth come on, its wearing thin now. Go get your boyfriend/girlfriend to give you some lovin and help you with that stress problem. You're off the charts.
The Phillies went after Schilling and he said no. First, CBP is not a pitchers park and second, why leave Boston?
Posted by Joe | February 8, 2008 8:39 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 08:39