Phils see good value in Baez
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Phils see good value in Baez
Daily News staff
The Phillies made little secret of their wishes for bolstering their bullpen this season, and Danys Baez was not number on on their list of priorities. But given some of the contracts awarded to targets like Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney, who signed for a combined $26 million over five years, and the demands of incumbent righthander Chan Ho Park, whom the team had hoped to retain, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is looking at the two-year, $5.25 million deal he gave the former Orioles righthander as providing pretty good bang for his buck.
"As far as the marketplace was concernted, I think that this was a pretty nice deal for us," Amaro said.
Of course, Amaro went on to say, "the proof is in the pudding," but the Phillies are familiar enough with Baez to be optimistic about his chances of whipping up a batch worthy of his $2.625 million-per-year pricetag.
Assistant general manager Chuck Lamar was the general manager of the Devil Rays when they signed Baez as a free agent in 2004. The imposing 6-foot-3, 225-pound righthander went on to save 71 games while posting a 3.21 ERA over the next two seasons. But perhaps a more telling vote of confidence came from assistant general manager Scott Proefrock, who was a member of an Orioles front office that gave Baez what turned out to be an three-year albatros of a contract worth $19 million in 2006. Baez went 0-6 with a 6.44 ERA in his first year in Baltimore, then missed all of 2008 after undergoing elbow surgery. But the former Cuban defector, who left the Cuban national team in 1999 during a tournament in Winnipeg, Canada, turned in a solid campaign last season, posting a 4.02 ERA and impressive 1.130 WHIP while throwing 71.2 innings in 59 appearances.
Baez said he feels as healthy now as he did in the five seasons before his surgery. In fact, during a recent phone conversation with Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who was his manager in Cleveland in 2001-02, Baez stressed this point.
"I'm healthy," Baez said. "I still have all my fastball, all my ptiches. I know I can help the team. I'm not talking about late in teh agme or early. I want to win and make it to the playoffs.". Baez held opposing hitters to a .222 average, including .197 against righthanded hitters, and induced 137 ground balls, which was tied for fifth-most among American League relievers. In his final 19 games of the season, Baez posted a 3.06 ERA and a .190 opponents’ batting average.
“Danys brings both experience and success to our bullpen,” general manager Ruben Amaro said in a statement. “He has played a variety of roles throughout his career and we felt he was an excellent fit for our staff.”
Baez, who will wear No. 55, will meet with the media this afternoon.
To read our breakdown on Baez, click here.
Having a press conference for Danys Baez is just the latest insult to season ticket holders.— Gnip Gnop- The signing was acceptable. The bullpen still needs improvement. The bull pen (like most teams) is not as good as two years ago. I believe you can NOT win with what they have. That's just my opinion. The bull pen is still weak. Considering the medical concerns and history of inconsistency this team has had in the past year(plus) they do NOT have a quality lights out relief pitcher. They are all fair to good. No top notch lights out reliever. That's my opinion.
- He is better than Condrey. Who is going to replace Chan Park? Who is going to replace Eyre?
- You people are OUT OF YOUR MINDS! You continue to cry about Cliff, yes I understand he is awesome and yes I would've loved to have him and Roy in the same rotation but it's not happening move on. Ruben has done a nice job putting this team in a position to win another World Series and soon. This signing is just a small piece to the puzzle. How fast has this town become spoiled rotten..."Ruben and The Phillies Stink Because we don't have Lee AND Halladay" Do you people forget when Robert Person was our opening day starter or when we had to watch Paul Abbott every fifth day! What the heck is wrong with you guys? Like I've said before The Phillies don't need the "Fair-Weather Fans" and Please don't come to the parade. Of course I'm sure when they win it again you'll be coming outta the wood work.— flyers2009
Lol, Rueben has got to go? Get back on your meds.— gho_matt- No, just another bad pitcher in the bullpen— eaglesman1
- I agree with Original about the Polanco signing being critical, with the MOST critical of course being Halladay. But I'm concerned with his comment that Polanco's skill "allows Manuel to move others around in the batting order" -- Cholly still has to be convinced to move JRoll out of the leadoff hole to maximize what he's got. I hope the fact that he lost the WS this year will make him willing to tinker with what wasn't quite the success of 2008.— tomvallar
- Yeah... that no good Rubén Amaro, Jr.! I cannot believe that he GMed the team to the sixth game of the World Series. What a jerk! Bring back Woody Woodard!!!— smel4727
- all of you people b$tch way too much..back to back world series, we bring in halladay and polanco..yes id love to have lee still here and the Baez signing is average at best but drop the bs and quit complaining about this franchise that is going to be a contender for years! pathetic— philsfan in the atx
- The Red Sox are able to sign Adrian Beltre for just one year with an option, but Ruben commits two years to Danys Baez, Brian Schneider and Ross Gload .... Didn't he learn anything from Jamie Moyer?— PhightinPhil
Comment removed.- Garbage acquision......get rid of Rube. You sign a(n) injury prone player who has a poor ERA. This guy has very little upside. This guy is average at best. We got rid of Ed Wade and know we have a cross between Pat Gillick and Ed Wade— martin710
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- I don't get it. Danys Baez is a below average major league pitcher. He is 36 games under .500. His era is 4.04 for his career. I don't see where he is going to help. Rueben Amaro is gonna have to come up with something better than this,— phillychef817
