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Ask Andy Martino

Inquirer Sports Writer

Email Andy at amartino@phillynews.com

Most Recent Questions & Answers

Questions: 41 - 10 of 500

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Feliz as back-up IF too?

QHi Todd,

Do you know if Pedro Feliz is still capable of playing SS and 2B as he did earlier in his career, and, if so, could the Phils keep both Helms and Dobbs on the roster and jettison Bruntlett? That would give them more offense on the bench.

phillychuck, Easton, PA 02/02/08

AI don't see that happening because I think Feliz is expected to be the everyday third baseman. I think something is going to happen to Helms at some point.

Andy Martino

2008 Media Guide

QWhere can I purchase it? Is it available yet?

Larry, Williamsburg, VA 01/31/08

AIt's not available yet. It usually isn't available until the middle of March, at least for us media folks.

Andy Martino

Lohse

QAny possibility the Phils can get Lohse for a more reasonable price now that he's sat on the market for so long? He could be a nice option as an insurance arm.

Joey E, J-town, PA 01/31/08

AI've heard the words "about a 10 percent chance" and "unlikely" a few times when Lohse's name has been mentioned. I'm not sure it's his asking price anymore as how he would fit on the roster. The Phillies are paying Adam Eaton for two more years. I can't see them just cutting Eaton, and I can't see anybody trading for him. So would they sign Lohse and put Lohse or Eaton in the bullpen depending on who pitches better in spring training? I'm not sure.

Andy Martino

Santana!

QHe`s just one player who pitches every 5th.day.If he were a position player who played every day I would be concerned.

Penn State Man, Tallahassee, FL 01/30/08

Yes, but the Mets can now expect to win every fifth day. Not a lot of teams can say that.

Andy Martino

Santana!

QHe`s just one player who pitches every 5th.day.If he were a position player who played every day I would be concerned.

Penn State Man, Tallahassee, FL 01/30/08

AI still think it's a HUGE boost for the Mets. Pitching means everything. The Mets' rotation looks pretty deep today. Adam Eaton still scares me.

Andy Martino

Myers back to the Bullpen?

QI know this will not happen, but tell me if you think this makes sense: On more than one occasion this offseason it has been said by Phillies brass & Brett Myers that Myers will become a closer again later in his career, possibly as early as next year if Lidge does not return. If that is the case, what about signing someone like Kyle Loshe to a 3 year deal and moving Myers to closer now? A bullpen of Myers closing, Lidge and Romero for the 8th and Gordon & Madon for th 7th could be dominating, and that coupled with their explosive lineup could make up for any shortcomings in the rotation. What do you think?

Pete, Havertown, PA 01/28/08

AIt's not a bad idea, but I think the rotation would be much, much thinner and cause some problems for Manuel and Dubee. And while I agree the bullpen would be incredibly tough, you can't lean on the bullpen too heavily for an entire season. Manuel leaned on Romero, Gordon and Myers in September. But that was just one month.

Andy Martino

QIs there any chance that Comcast and Directv will ever reach an agreement suitable enough to allow us phils fans without access to comcast to see CSN? I don't even see most of the phils games even though I get the Extra Innings package.

Mike, Scranton, PA 12/03/07

I have heard nothing that indicates that is closer to happening.

Andy Martino

QHi Todd. Since the Phils are so hot after another starting pitcher, why have they become so steadfast against resigning Freddie Garcia? I know they got stung by the trade last year but wouldn't a one year, incentive laden contract be worth the risk for both Garcia and the Phils?

Pizzaman, Hudson, NY 12/03/07

AIt might, but I think the Phillies want somebody they feel they can count on a little more to be healthy. They'd look pretty foolish if Eaton couldn't pitch and Garcia couldn't pitch either.

Andy Martino

QGreat Blog..heard about it on 950, but never checked it out. I know after what happened in the final days of spring training the past two years, nothing is certain, but do you see any scenario where the Phils don't have Chris Coste as their backup catcher this year? The price is right, and he is a proven RH bat off the bench, and you don't lose much with him when he starts once a week.

Bob, Glassboro, NJ 12/02/07

Thanks for checking out the blog: http://go.philly.com/zozone.

I see Coste as this team's back up catcher next season. I don't think they're looking to trade him, and honestly I don't think there's much demand for him on the open market. I'm a Coste fan. He's a nice player. But I don't think you're going to find teams giving up a top prospect for him or anything.

Andy Martino

QTodd, This off-season sure seems a lot like last year's. Pat makes one nice trade (like everyone else I felt good about the Garcia trade was at the time), vows to make every effort to find pitching help, but refuses to overpay, while everyone else does. Makes a run at Randy Wolf, watches him sign elswhere and then signs..Adam Eaton. What do you think is next? Silva, Lhose, Kurosa...seems to be about it. Thanks

Sean, Gifu-shi, PA 12/02/07

AColon, Benson ... I could see somebody like that. But it's near impossible to get a true read on Gillick because he often says one thing and does another. He said last week that the reporters covering the winter meetings are going to be bored because they're probably not going to do anything. Of course, that means they'll probably sign somebody. Stay tuned.

Andy Martino

Questions: 41 - 10 of 500

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