Amaro checks another item off wish list
A busy Saturday morning sees the Phils add two pitchers to the staff: set-up reliever Mike Adams and back-end starter John Lannan.
Amaro checks another item off wish list
Ryan Lawrence, Daily News Staff Writer
First, the Phils agreed to terms on a two-year contract with one of baseball’s best set-up men, righthander Mike Adams.
But a busy Saturday morning continued when they also plucked former Washington Nationals starter John Lannan off the free agent market, too.
According to multiple reports, begining with CSNPhilly.com, the Phils have come to terms on a one-year, $2.5 million deal with Lannan, a lefthander who is the odds-on favorite to assume the rotation spot vacated by Vance Worley. The 28-year-old Lannan is 42-52 with a 4.01 ERA in 134 career games, all starts, from 2007 to 2012.
After the Nationals added Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson to their healthy stable of starters last winter, Lannan was pushed out of the rotation and spent most of 2012 in Triple A. Lannan went 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA in six starts with Washington in 2012.
Lannan’s addition to the Phillies is hardly surprising. With an eye on still adding a high profile bat to the lineup and a proven, trustworthy arm to the back of the bullpen, Ruben Amaro Jr. said he was looking for a “low-risk, high-reward” type guy.
“Or somebody’s who’s come back from an injury or someone like that who can battle for that fifth spot,” Amaro said. “A lot of teams have had some success looking for that guy late in the season and finding that productive guy. So that’s one possibility.”
In choosing an inexpensive option for the rotation, the Phils were able to instead spend a reported $12 million on Adams. The 34-year-old Adams has a 2.28 ERA in 358 major league games with the Brewers, Padres and Rangers.
He will take over the eighth-inning job the Phils desperately needed in 2012. Of the 363 2/3 innings Adams has pitched in his career, 228 of them have come in the eighth inning. In that eighth inning work, Adams has a 1.82 ERA with 237 strikeouts and 63 walks.
With Adams and Lannan in the fold, Amaro’s last big chore is to find an everyday, proven outfielder.
Nick Swisher and Cody Ross are the most attractive outfield bats on the free agent market. Michael Cuddyer and Alfonso Soriano are two veterans who could come available in a trade.
After spending less than $14 million on the foursome of Adams, Lannan, third baseman Michael Young and centerfielder Ben Revere, the Phils should have ample salary left to acquire one of those bats.
- Welcome to the forum? I've been contributing for years, but thanks! Also, so you're saying that Ruf & Ross, both righties mind you, would make for a killer platoon? Interesting. Also, I'm glad that your "common sense" trumps any info that the Phils have on Adams regarding his ability to bounce back from his surgery. Lastly, not sure if you were aware of this, as a message board veteran and all, but the Phils payed Blanton $8.5 million last year and are paying Lannan $2.5 million this year. Therefore, if you really think they're equal, even someone like you can see that saving $6 million on Lannan versus having Blanton is a smart move. Thanks again for welcoming me to the forum, though!
— The Pack Leader - Friend, I'm happy you're happy they picked up Lannan. Sorry, but he doesn't give my warm fuzzies. Sure, at 2.5M, why not? Just like Thome last year. Cheap, so why not? Just like Willis, cheap so why not?
They can play Ruf AND Ross in the outfield at the corner positions. Why do you think they have to platoon? Plase don't argue that Ross and Ruf are both traditional left fielders so neither one can play right field. The defense can't be any worse than Brown or Pence in RF.
I like Mike Adams and hope he returns to form. I'm not saying that was a bad pickup, but I know Texas like him and it is curious why they didn't try to resign him unless they were hesitant because of the nature of his injury.
Bottom line is that it is f'in madness to go into the season with two corner outfielders who have yet to prove themselves in the MLB. To argue otherwise is ridiculous.— Sam Crow 
If you can get Ross for 2 yr @ $7M per fine. Don't commit to any of these guys past 2 yrs (not worth it). Otherwise, sit it out until you see how rosters shake out in March. (You also might find you have the answer already on board). Use the $$ to react to need as you see it develop instead of committing it now.- Adding Mike Adams is a good add for a team that will be in contention. The Phillies have the same core as last year except a year older. They showed last year, they're breaking down and still have problems putting the bat on the ball. They might be able to eke out one more winning season, but anything beyond a wild card would be a real surprise. The best I can say about Adams is he will be a good trade piece at the deadline.— Repubrebirth
- @Repubrebirth - I agree they shouldn't lay out more than a two year contract for Ross. I understand the argument that Ruf should play, but what I don't understand is why people think it can only be Ruf OR Ross. You can put them both out there at the same time. Mayberry is a nice piece but I see him more as a platoon piece in CF if Revere starts off slow. The odd man out is Brown. The guy can't stay healthy and it has become a pattern. Seems like a nice kid and I wish he could stay on the field, but I don't have any confidence in him doing so. sorry.— Sam Crow
- @uts Your lineup is not close. Charlie already said that Jroll is still leadoff. That makes Revere #8 in the lineup. As to Ruff he is probably going down to begin the season in AAA (Amaro feels Ruff probably needs more seasoning and recently said so in an interview) as they want Brown to have a full shot. At best Ruff might platoon.— PHAZED
- Ghost of Callison: Do me a favor and take your negativity elsewhere. I like the moves Ruben has made. I'm willing to see if they work or not. If they don't work,they don't work. At least give the rest of us a chance to make up our minds without dwelling on your pessimistic outlook. Check out until the 2014 season.You won't be missed. Go Phils!! Happy Holidays!!— phlipher
- Do ME a favor and mind your own business. I have my opinions, just like you have yours. I'm glad YOU like the moves Amaro made. You must also be a fan of mediocrity. Just who the h*ll died and made you boss? I won't be checking out -- in fact, I'll be checking in regularly, hopefully just to p*ss you off. Now, go get your shine box.
- Will Utley be there to greet Lannon?— porcamiseria34
- As a Nationals fan, I can't tell you how satisfying it is to see the Phillies picking up our trash. And Lannan is trash. Terrible in small hitters parks. Terrible.— JustAnOpinion
- until you do something other than win in an injury plagued division, you might wanna check yourself. not like you guys tore it up in the playoffs. lol.
- Smoke and mirrors so far. The next move will determine if the Phillies can contend with the Nats and Braves. Ticket sales will come from this next move. High risk is usually high risk. Not moves that win a championship. I just hope they are now looking at the trade market, other outfield free agents available are going to be to high priced for what they are getting or just adding to their average age. Come on Rube hit a home run with this next move or just say there is always next year.— zbeachigo
- The biggest problem is still Howard and his 100 average against lefthanders. Platooning Ruf at first base would be a big improvement,— farley
- Love the platoon idea, but it will never happen. Lets hope Ruf is the real deal and Brown surprises us and stays healthy and hits 20 HR's! — gtnestro
