The Phillies added some pitching depth, signing right-hander Joel Pineiro to a minor league contract.
Pineiro went 7-7 with a 5.13 ERA in 27 appearances for the Angels last season. He has 104 career victories with a 4.41 ERA over 1,754 innings pitched.
Breaking into the league in 2000, Pineiro spent his first six seasons with the Seattle Mariners. His experiment in Boston in 2007 was short lived, as he was shipped to St. Louis after just 34 innings with an ERA above five.
His most successful season in St. Louis was his last, when he won 15 games with a 3.49 ERA in 2009. He spent the last two seasons with the Angels, winning ten games with a 3.84 ERA in 2010 but struggling last season.
Pineiro has been invited to join the Phillies at Spring Training.
Another veteran pitcher receiving a minor league contract offer is Jamie Moyer, as the Colorado Rockies offered the 49-year-old a deal.
Moyer missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Colorado is likely more interested in what Moyer has to offer them off the field rather than on it. With a youthful rotation and a man who's been pitching since 1986, why not take a shot? Either way, Phillies' fans will certainly be rooting for him.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Phils exploring Kerry Wood, keeping Brad Lidge on the radar
The Phillies have been in contact with free agent relief pitcher Kerry Wood. The veteran starter turned setup man would help to relieve concerns about the back end of the bullpen behind closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Antonio Bastardo and Michael Stutes were tremendous in the setup role for much of last season, but both struggled mightily down the stretch.
The asking price for Wood, thought to be around $4 million for one-year, may be the biggest obstacle in him landing in Philly.
Ruben Amaro Jr. has already stated that the payroll is "well past where [they] want it to be."
Wood, who went 3-5 with a 3.35 ERA in 55 games last season would be an intriguing addition. However, it seems Amaro is more likely to explore cheaper options.
The Phils have also remained in contact with Brad Lidge, while the Angels appear to be the front runner. Let's face it, the Angels are likely to be the odds on favorites to win it all this year, while Lidge has witnessed the Phillies get older and further away from another World Series championship each season. Most people would consider Anaheim a more desirable destination and while Philadelphia remains one of the best teams and baseball cities in the league, I can't really argue at this point.
Antonio Bastardo and Michael Stutes were tremendous in the setup role for much of last season, but both struggled mightily down the stretch.
The asking price for Wood, thought to be around $4 million for one-year, may be the biggest obstacle in him landing in Philly.
Ruben Amaro Jr. has already stated that the payroll is "well past where [they] want it to be."
Wood, who went 3-5 with a 3.35 ERA in 55 games last season would be an intriguing addition. However, it seems Amaro is more likely to explore cheaper options.
The Phils have also remained in contact with Brad Lidge, while the Angels appear to be the front runner. Let's face it, the Angels are likely to be the odds on favorites to win it all this year, while Lidge has witnessed the Phillies get older and further away from another World Series championship each season. Most people would consider Anaheim a more desirable destination and while Philadelphia remains one of the best teams and baseball cities in the league, I can't really argue at this point.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Phils add Dontrelle Willis
The D-Train will run through Citizen's Bank Park in 2012.
The Phillies agreed to a one-year contract with left handed pitcher, Dontrelle Willis worth less than $1 million plus incentives.
It's a classic low risk, high reward situation. Willis posted double digit wins for the Marlins from 2003-2007 before struggling mightily over parts of four seasons with Detroit, Arizona and Cincinnati. He was 1-6 with a 5.00 ERA last season for the Reds. In his first season with the Tigers, he was 0-2 with a 9.38 ERA.
The Phillies plan to use him as an addition left handed reliever out of the bullpen. Lefties bat just .127 against Willis last season.
The Phillies agreed to a one-year contract with left handed pitcher, Dontrelle Willis worth less than $1 million plus incentives.
It's a classic low risk, high reward situation. Willis posted double digit wins for the Marlins from 2003-2007 before struggling mightily over parts of four seasons with Detroit, Arizona and Cincinnati. He was 1-6 with a 5.00 ERA last season for the Reds. In his first season with the Tigers, he was 0-2 with a 9.38 ERA.
The Phillies plan to use him as an addition left handed reliever out of the bullpen. Lefties bat just .127 against Willis last season.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Phils trade Francisco to Toronto for reliever
The Phillies shipped Ben Francisco to the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon for minor league left-handed relief pitcher Frank Gailey.
The Philadelphia native is 23-15 with a .245 ERA in 175 career appearances in the minors.
Francisco fell a long way in a short period of time with the Phillies. After winning the opening day left fielder position last year, he quickly dropped further and further down Charlie Manuel's bench. With John Mayberry Jr. and Laynce Nix now expected to occupy left field together and a few more additions to the bench, there was no room for Benny.
Francisco hit .259 in parts of three seasons with the Phils with 17 home runs and 75 RBI. The biggest moment in his Phillies' career came in Game 3 of this season's NLDS when his pinch-hit, three-run shot lifted the Phillies over the Cardinals and gave them what appeared to be a stranglehold on the series.
The Philadelphia native is 23-15 with a .245 ERA in 175 career appearances in the minors.
Francisco fell a long way in a short period of time with the Phillies. After winning the opening day left fielder position last year, he quickly dropped further and further down Charlie Manuel's bench. With John Mayberry Jr. and Laynce Nix now expected to occupy left field together and a few more additions to the bench, there was no room for Benny.
Francisco hit .259 in parts of three seasons with the Phils with 17 home runs and 75 RBI. The biggest moment in his Phillies' career came in Game 3 of this season's NLDS when his pinch-hit, three-run shot lifted the Phillies over the Cardinals and gave them what appeared to be a stranglehold on the series.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Rollins' return could be imminent
It appears the Phillies and Jimmy Rollins are close to agreeing on a new contract.
The Milwaukee Brewers, thought to be the Phillies' top competition for the shortstop, have apparently backed out because they were told it wasn't worth their time. The Brewers believe Rollins is close to signing with the Phillies.
Ruben Amaro Jr. played it cool, responding "That's good news, I guess. I haven't heard that yet. I hope it's true."
Most sources expect the Phillies back down from Aramis Ramirez if they're able to re-sign Rollins. Ramirez is thought to be more of a backup plan.
The Milwaukee Brewers, thought to be the Phillies' top competition for the shortstop, have apparently backed out because they were told it wasn't worth their time. The Brewers believe Rollins is close to signing with the Phillies.
Ruben Amaro Jr. played it cool, responding "That's good news, I guess. I haven't heard that yet. I hope it's true."
Most sources expect the Phillies back down from Aramis Ramirez if they're able to re-sign Rollins. Ramirez is thought to be more of a backup plan.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Phils add Nix, linked to Ramirez
Things are heating up around baseball.
The Phillies have agreed to a two-year deal with nine-year veteran Laynce Nix in what will likely be a platoon situation with John Mayberry Jr. in left field.
Nix spent last season with Washinton, batting .250 with 16 home runs (a career high), 44 RBI, 15 doubles, 23 walks and 82 strikeouts with an OBP of .299. He's a career .244 hitter. Nix is a bit of a down grade from Raul Ibanez, but comes at a much lower price.
They've also been linked to having serious interest in free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez.
Meanwhile, the Miami Marlins have made the biggest splash of the off-season, first signing closer Heath Bell and then agreeing on a six-year deal with superstar Jose Reyes. Hanley Ramirez is expected to move to third base, not become trade bait.
The Nix move isn't likely to get fans too excited. He's not exactly what the team needed. Yet another left handed batter who hits for a low average and a low on base percentage. The signing all but secures Ibanez's departure from pinstripes, and also likely means the team's pursuit of Michael Cuddyer has ended.
This is the first off-season in quite some time that the Phillies have made a series of questionable moves. Starting with handing a major contract to Jonathan Papelbon, to the signings of veterans past their prime: Jim Thome, Ty Wigginton and now Nix. Of course, Thome was a great signing, but the others remain to be seen.
The Phillies have agreed to a two-year deal with nine-year veteran Laynce Nix in what will likely be a platoon situation with John Mayberry Jr. in left field.
Nix spent last season with Washinton, batting .250 with 16 home runs (a career high), 44 RBI, 15 doubles, 23 walks and 82 strikeouts with an OBP of .299. He's a career .244 hitter. Nix is a bit of a down grade from Raul Ibanez, but comes at a much lower price.
They've also been linked to having serious interest in free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez.
Meanwhile, the Miami Marlins have made the biggest splash of the off-season, first signing closer Heath Bell and then agreeing on a six-year deal with superstar Jose Reyes. Hanley Ramirez is expected to move to third base, not become trade bait.
The Nix move isn't likely to get fans too excited. He's not exactly what the team needed. Yet another left handed batter who hits for a low average and a low on base percentage. The signing all but secures Ibanez's departure from pinstripes, and also likely means the team's pursuit of Michael Cuddyer has ended.
This is the first off-season in quite some time that the Phillies have made a series of questionable moves. Starting with handing a major contract to Jonathan Papelbon, to the signings of veterans past their prime: Jim Thome, Ty Wigginton and now Nix. Of course, Thome was a great signing, but the others remain to be seen.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Phils sign Thome, Papelbon
Well, the end of the 2011 season hurt a little too much to talk about. Besides, there's really nothing I could say that wasn't already said over and over again on any and every news outlet.
Fortunately, Ruben Amaro Jr. is going to work early this off-season.
After the great move to bring fan favorite Jim Thome back for what could be the last season of his illustrious career, it appears they've agreed to terms with Jonathan Papelbon to take over as closer.
It's a shame to see Ryan Madson go, but Papelbon has been dominant through most of his six years as Boston's closer.
The deal is reportedly for four years around $50 million.
More thoughts later...
Fortunately, Ruben Amaro Jr. is going to work early this off-season.
After the great move to bring fan favorite Jim Thome back for what could be the last season of his illustrious career, it appears they've agreed to terms with Jonathan Papelbon to take over as closer.
It's a shame to see Ryan Madson go, but Papelbon has been dominant through most of his six years as Boston's closer.
The deal is reportedly for four years around $50 million.
More thoughts later...
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