Posted: Tuesday, March 25, 2008, 8:37 PM | 2 comments |
 

The healthy pitcher count is down to 11
options
 

First, kudos to Mr. Paul Hagen, my esteemed colleague and personal hero who took care of the daily duties today so that I could finish up some season preview stories.

That said, here's what's shaking:

Lefty reliever Travis Blackley cleaned out his locker today, but nobody could figure out why. The Phillies weren't saying anything, so rumor and innuendo was left to fill the minds of those who saw the empty stall. Turns out, the deal isn't all that scandalous: he's a rule 5 selection, which means the team can't simply send him to the minors. First, they must put him on waivers. If he clears waivers, then the Giants have a chance to claim him, because they were his original team.

But here's the complicated part:

Blackley has the choice of whether he wants to go to the minors or become a free agent. If he chooses to become a free agent, that's it: he's a free agent. If he chooses to accept his assignment to the minors, the Giants then have the choice to take him back (they'd have to pay the phillies $25,000 to do so). If the Giants don't take him back, he'd then go into the Phillies minor league system.

We'll likely find out more tomorrow.

Blackley was in competition for both the fifth spot in the rotation and a spot in the bullpen.

Posted by David Murphy @ 8:37 PM  Permalink | 2 comments
2
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:03 PM, 03/25/2008
    I think Fultz is worth a shot at this point...
    — frankatlasalle
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:00 AM, 03/26/2008
    Apparently, the teams that need a 3rd baseman don't want to take on the Helms contract. Thats what is holding up a trade to San Fran or LA for pitching. I think the Phils should pay part of it to get the pitching. I'll even bet Gillick is waiting for one of the teams to blink first and take on most of the Helm contract in a trade.
    — joey bagadonuts


2 comments
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. E-mail Dave at dmurphy@phillynews.com.

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