Archive: December, 2011
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Instead of tendering Ben Francisco a contract, the Phillies have traded the outfielder to Toronto for minor-league lefthander Frank Gailey.
Francisco, 30, made $1.18 million in 2011 and was due a raise through the arbitration process. He likely would have made less than $2 million in 2012.
He began 2011 as the team's starting right fielder but was on the bench by the end of May. His defining moment as a Phillie will be the pinch-hit, three-run home run in Game 3 of the National League division series against the Cardinals.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Midnight Monday marks another mile marker in baseball's offseason, one that is much too long. Teams must tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players by the end of the day. The actual arbitration process, which rarely happens, comes in January. This is the first step.
The Phillies have five such cases, and if we are to believe Ruben Amaro Jr., the decision to offer all five contracts is easy. The Phillies have yet to confirm Amaro's statements that he would bring back all of them.
There are simple ones, like lefthander Cole Hamels and outfielder Hunter Pence. Both are due significant raises through the process.
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
DALLAS -- The Phillies left the Hilton Anatole Thursday without accomplishing their primary goal of signing shortstop Jimmy Rollins, but the pursuit will continue.
"Nothing is scheduled (with Rollins' agent Dan Lozano), but I'm sure we'll be in touch with each other sometime soon," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said after the Rule 5 draft brought an official close to the winter meetings. "I'm concerned about filling that spot, but overall I'm not concerned."
The Phillies' only move here was the signing of free-agent utility man Laynce Nix, which is expected to become official after he passes a physical Thursday. That's not the kind of move that will get the folks back in Philadelphia too excited, but at least the Miami Marlins' initial assault of the free-agent market fizzled and gave way to a late surge by the Los Angeles Angels.
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
DALLAS -- The dream of a bullpen with Jonathan Papelbon as the closer and Ryan Madson as his setup man with closer experience officially ended Wednesday night.
Scott Boras, the agent for Madson, said his client declined the offer of salary arbitration that would have allowed the 31-year-old pitcher to remain with the Phillies on a one-year contract.
"Ryan was always going to remain a free agent," Boras said.
Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover
DALLAS — No, it's not done yet. But it's close.
The signs at the Anatole Hilton were overwhelming Wednesday that the Phillies neared an accord with longtime shortstop Jimmy Rollins.
Their top competition for his services, the Milwaukee Brewers, were told not to bother continuing talks with Rollins, a baseball source said.
Philly.com Sports
The Inquirer's Matt Gelb gives his thoughts on the Phillies' offseason and the winter baseball meetings from Dallas.
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
DALLAS -- The Phillies are the team to beat in the National League East and the Miami Marlins appear to be the team most interested in beating them.
But what about the rest of the division?
With the Marlins' pursuit of every living, breathing free agent taking center stage at these winter meetings, you may not have noticed Tuesday night that the New York Mets got busy with a flurry of moves.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
DALLAS — It's still highly unlikely that any of the three Phillies free agents will accept arbitration by the 11:59 p.m. Wednesday deadline. Jimmy Rollins is looking for a five-year deal and should at least be able to secure a three-year contract. Ryan Madson wants a four-year deal and a chance to close. Raul Ibanez will not accept thanks to a handshake agreement.
That's the way Ruben Amaro Jr. sees it. But he was still hopeful Monday that through some crazy circumstances, either Rollins or Madson accepted.
"I hope one does," Amaro said. "I hope two do."
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
DALLAS — These are heady times for the Miami (née Florida) Marlins. They are the darlings of the winter meetings with expenditures totaling $133 million in two days. And now, reportedly, they have offered Albert Pujols a 10-year contract.
They have Jose Reyes, the dynamic former Mets shortstop who will move franchise player Hanley Ramirez to third base. They have a new stadium and fancy uniforms. (Even Billy The Marlin received a makeover!) They have Ozzie Guillen, baseball's most bombastic manager.
They also have Heath Bell, the gregarious closer who once slid into the mound upon his entrance in an All-Star Game. Bell was here in Texas for his formal unveiling Monday. And Bell likes his team's chances.
Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover
DALLAS — Paul Kinzer, the agent for Aramis Ramirez, said he has a meeting scheduled Monday night with the Phillies.
Kinzer arrived at the Anatole Hilton in the early evening amid rumors that the Phillies viewed his client as an alternative solution to retaining Jimmy Rollins. Ruben Amaro Jr. categorized his meeting Sunday night at the winter meetings with Rollins' agent Dan Lozano as "fine," but rumors surfaced early Monday that the Phillies were aggressively exploring alternatives.
Ramirez, 33, is a free agent after completing a five-year, $73 million deal with the Chicago Cubs. If the Phillies were to move on from Rollins, Ramirez would play third and either Freddy Galvis or a veteran stopgap would man shortstop. FoxSports.com reported the Phillies were "actively shopping" Placido Polanco to ascertain his possible trade value.
