Monday, January 25, 2010

Ruiz signs three-year deal

There will be no arbitration cases for the Phillies this off-season. After first signing Chad Durbin to a one-year deal, Joe Blanton and Shane Victorino followed with three-year deals, worth $24 million and $22 millions respectively.

Carlos Ruiz, the team's final arbitration eligible player, agreed on Sunday to a three-year pact, worth $8.85 mill, with a club option for a fourth season. The 31 year old Chooch is obviously a key signing for the team. He's been a rock behind the plate each of the last few seasons, and contributes at the plate when the games increase in importance.

The Phillies are very close to, if not ready, for Spring Training with the club they currently employ.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Victorino close to multi-year deal, Blanton losing his mind, Durbin signs

The Phillies and Shane Victorino are hoping to avoid arbitration as they work on a multi-year deal. How close the sides are in the negotiations is not clear, but look for something within the next few days.

Joe Blanton must have lost his mind. He is seeking $10.25 million in arbitration, which would beat Ryan Howard's record $10 million awarded in a winning case last season. The Phils are offering $7.5 million. Blanton is a solid pitcher, but at the back of the rotation. How he thinks he should win a record amount of money in arbitration is beyond my comprehension. There is no way Blanton will make that much next year.

The Phillies and Chad Durbin agreed on a one-year, $2.125 million contract.

Carlos Ruiz is seeking $2.5 million while the Phillies offered him $1.7 mill. Ruiz is more than deserving on the amount he is seeking.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Four Phillies file for arbitation. NFL playoffs heat up

Four Phillies have filed for arbitration: Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz, Joe Blanton and Chad Durbin. It is important for the team to settle each case, as each player figures to play a prominent role in the upcoming 2010 season.

Victorino, tremendous while patrolling center field, will likely drop to sixth or seventh in the lineup with the acquisition of Placido Polanco. Despite dropping in the lineup, Victorino will be just as important to the team's lineup as he's been the past few seasons.

Carlos Ruiz has been a rock behind the plate, and a hitting machine in each of the last two postseasons. The Phillies need Joe Blanton to solidify the back end of the rotation this season, and Chad Durbin is an important factor in the bullpen; especially with the injuries to Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero.

Hopefully, negotiations will not turn ugly, resulting in any disgruntled players. Those four players will be very important in the team's pursuit of a third consecutive World Series appearance.

With the Eagles' early exit from the postseason, pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in a month could not come any faster. While our Birds are no longer alive, there remains plenty of reason to watch the remainder of the playoffs.

The AFC has been favored by 7.5 points over the NFC in the Super Bowl Odds the last five seasons. With talented NFC teams like the Saints (4/1) and Vikings (15/2), the trend could be reversed this year. With the Super Bowl three weeks away, there are still several spreads, lines and odds intriguing enough to wager on leading up to the Super Bowl.