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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Just thought I'd pass the following note along. There has been some speculation in the past about Jamie Moyer possibly returning to play in Seattle, his home, or another West Coast team. The veteran wants to return to the Phillies, and the Phillies would like to have him back. But, the speculation went, if the Phillies didn't work out, a logical place for him to pitch would be the Mariners, where he is the franchise's all-time wins leader.

But it sounds like that speculation doesn't make much sense anymore. Moyer and his family have moved to Bradenton, Fla., where his sons are enrolled at the IMG Sports Academy, an exclusive school/training ground for young athletes. I heard awhile ago that his sons were at IMG, but I wasn't sure if Moyer was there full-time. From what I've heard now, that seems to be the case. After spending the past couple years flying cross-country on off-days to see his family, it would seem like a pretty safe bet that Moyer will remain in the Eastern Time Zone. Even if Moyer were still living in Seattle, I'd say his return was a virtual lock. But the situation seems perfect now: Bradenton is less than an hour from the Phillies spring training complex and it is served by its own airport (it is also about an hour from TPA). In addition, it is three-and-a-half hours from Miami, where the Phillies play nine games, and a half hour to St. Petersburg, where they are scheduled to play three against the Rays.

Posted by David Murphy @ 1:16 PM  Permalink | 21 comments
21
Comments   
Posted 02:12 PM, 11/11/2008
mjriley26
Good to see the wins leader from the 2008 World Champion Phillies likely to return. I have heard for a while now that the Rockies are willing to deal Garrett Atkins for young pitching. Feliz came as advertised as a fielder, but did not post the offensive numbers most expected. Feliz is also entering his last year as a Phillie; therefore, my question is: are the Phillies looking into Utley's UCLA teammate as a possibility to replace Burrell's offensive production in 2009? An outfield of platoon in left, Vic in center, and Werth in right would look a lot better with a 20 and 90 guy on the hot corner.
Posted 02:27 PM, 11/11/2008
jeff gross
First of al Feliz has a club action for 2010 if I'm not mistaken. Secondly, we don't need atkins. We need a great defensive third baseman and, if he's not traded, Jason Donald will possibly replace him in a year or two.
Posted 02:55 PM, 11/11/2008
EL Zorro
It will be ideal to sign Moyer for one or two years. After that keep him as a pitching instructor in Spring Training and as pitching coach of the Clearwater Threshers until he is ready to be in the big club. Atkins will be a nice addition if you can convince him to play the outfield. (He has some experience in the outfield.) I don't think an upgrade at third is needed. To be honest, I don't think Atkins is that big of an upgrade over Feliz. I expect Feliz's numbers to be better next year. Feliz came from hitting in an pitcher’s ballpark in San Francisco and in West Division with a lot of good pitchers. His numbers with the Giants were better than last year. And second, his defense upsets any advantage Atkins might have over him offensively.
Comment removed.
Posted 04:11 PM, 11/11/2008
mdhnyc
We don't need Atkins. He is one of the worst fielders in all of baseball, is only a .260 hitter on the road, and has seen his BA and walks decrease and SO increase for three straight seasons. The only reason they should trade for him would be if he was capable and willing to play LF.
Posted 04:11 PM, 11/11/2008
wcgiles
I think they should open both sides of the goal net in hockey.
Posted 04:21 PM, 11/11/2008
JimG
Atkins is a product of Coors field and the Rockies have been looking to dump him for the last few years. We don't need one of their castoffs. Feliz will be fine. He missed some time last year and only had 425 ABs. If you project his numbers at 550 ABs, then they weren't far off his last few years in San Fran where he hit 20-22 HRs each of his last 4 years there and averaged 83-84 RBIs. Plus, with Hamels and Moyer, it's very important to have a good fielding 3B. I'd rather have Feliz at 3B with Dobbs rotating in against good RHP than Atkins any day.
Posted 04:21 PM, 11/11/2008
JimG
Atkins is a product of Coors field and the Rockies have been looking to dump him for the last few years. We don't need one of their castoffs. Feliz will be fine. He missed some time last year and only had 425 ABs. If you project his numbers at 550 ABs, then they weren't far off his last few years in San Fran where he hit 20-22 HRs each of his last 4 years there and averaged 83-84 RBIs. Plus, with Hamels and Moyer, it's very important to have a good fielding 3B. I'd rather have Feliz at 3B with Dobbs rotating in against good RHP than Atkins any day.
Posted 04:54 PM, 11/11/2008
davekrieg
The NHL provides a high quality product for entertainment.
Posted 05:14 PM, 11/11/2008
sil campusano
Feliz and Atkins both stink. Since we already have Feliz under contract anyway, we might as well just stick with him. Anyone who wants Atkins should first check out his career ROAD stats. They're worse than mediocre.
Posted 05:14 PM, 11/11/2008
ChekUrFax
nhl blows. Most meaningless regular season of any "major" sport.
Posted 05:32 PM, 11/11/2008
MTbelly
Hockey in HD is unbelivable. Also, the area behind the goal is commonly referred to among hockey types as "the trapazoid".
Posted 05:58 PM, 11/11/2008
justwondering
Feliz' offensive numbers didn't measure up during the regular season, but he was hobbled by a bad back part of the time. And I'll take his glove in there any day...
Posted 06:20 PM, 11/11/2008
benjyedwards
Thanks David. The key question is what Adam Eaton's role will be next year.
Posted 06:36 PM, 11/11/2008
Blackacre
We could always keep Eaton around as a cooler! It is so fun and exciting to watch the Phils come back each year and overtake the Mets. If we were to get out to a lead near mid August, we could just throw Eaton out there a few times to drop us back in the standings!
About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times.

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