The Phillies have made quite a few potential low-risk, high-reward additions this off-season that could help the team in 2012.
This week they added the speedy veteran outfielder Juan Pierre on a minor league deal and reliever Chad Qualls on a one-year pact.
The team has a few roster spots to fill during spring training and while Qualls is expected to join the big club, Pierre has his work cut out for him while he looks to earn one of the vacant spots.
Examining the offense, Charlie Manuel usually carries five bench players. First, the players guaranteed a spot barring injury:
C: Carlos Ruiz
1B/OF: John Mayberry Jr.
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Jimmy Rollins
3B: Placido Polanco
OF: Shane Victorino
OF: Hunter Pence
Bench: Jim Thome
Bench: Laynce Nix
Bench: Ty Wigginton
Bench: Brian Schneider
That leaves two open spots while Ryan Howard is on the DL; one on the bench and one in the outfield, assuming Mayberry gets the lion's share of the play at first base.
Michael Martinez is likely to come back, especially after Wilson Valdez was dealt away. That would leave one spot for an outfielder, and it likely could come down to Domonic Brown and Pierre.
Pierre has one thing working in his favor: Brown is unlikely to be a bench player.
Brown needs at bats to become an every day player. If he doesn't win the left field job outright in spring training, expect him to return to the minors which should open a spot for Pierre as a pinch-hitter/runner and occasional starter.
Of course, injuries could always wreak havoc on these plans, or Ruben Amaro Jr. could have something else up his sleeve.
Pitchers and Catchers report in less than three weeks!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Phils sign Pineiro, Moyer receives offer
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.
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 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.
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