The Phillies Zone

Archive: September, 2009

Victorino switches agencies, wants to be a Phillie long-term

POSTED: Saturday, September 5, 2009, 1:15 PM

Andy Martino

Hello from Houston, where concerned parents this week thankfully brushed back an Orwellian brainwashing, and Roger Clemens saw his defamation suit against former trainer Brian McNamee tossed out of court. Newsy week down here in the Lone Star, including a little nugget about a less controversial Hawaiian.

As reported in today’s Inquirer, Shane Victorino has switched agencies, leaving the Beverly Hills Sports Council for New York-based agents Seth and Sam Levinson. For a player who is truly coming into his own as a top centerfielder this year, a move like this makes you wonder about his reasons.

It’s not like he went from the McGuire-Zellweger agency to Scott Boras, as both the Levinsons and BHSC are big time (BHSC’s client list includes Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth and J.C. Romero; the Levinsons represent David Wright, Scott Rolen and Raul Ibanez). So why do it now, two-and-a half years before potential free agency?

Victorino said that the decision came down to a vibe he felt from the Levinsons. “I felt like the Levinsons had more of the family-type atmosphere that I was looking for,” he said (Seth and Sam Levinson are brothers). “They had what I wanted in that sense.”

Victorino also said that he has a strong desire to remain with the Phillies long-term. Last winter, he avoided arbitration by signing a one-year contract worth about $3 million. Unless he and the team agree on a multi-year contract extension, he will become a free agent after the 2011 season. Some players agitate for extensions, but Victorino seemed relaxed about the situation.

“I want to play here,” he said. “I don’t want to go anywhere. If I have to take one year deals the next few years, that’s fine.”

In tomorrow’s Inside the Phillies, we’ll look at the Flyin’s massive improvements this year as a situational hitter. Always known more for his raw skills than savvy with the bat, Victorino has responded to a spring training conversation with Charlie Manuel in which the skipper said bluntly, “You’ve got to learn how to control the bat better.”

Victorino appears to be in an environment that is allowing him to mature and thrive. He recognizes that and wants to hang around for a while.

31 comments

Myers activated; another setback for Condrey

POSTED: Friday, September 4, 2009, 4:02 PM

Andy Martino

Howdy from Houston. As expected, Brett Myers was activated today (Joe Bisenius was outrighted to Lehigh Valey to make room on the 40-man roster). More newsworthy, Clay Codrey's rehab assignment has been put on hold because the reliever experienced yet another setback in that slow-to-heal oblique muscle. Condrey will likely travel to Philadelphia next week to be examined by team physician Michael Ciccotti.

If not for Tyler Walker's contributions, this Condrey thing would be a bigger problem for the Phils, though the team is still losing a guy who was a key contributor not so long ago.

Asked if Condrey was out for the year, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said it was "possible," but he would not know until the visit to Ciccotti.

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Phillies add catcher Hoover

POSTED: Wednesday, September 2, 2009, 11:10 PM

Andy Martino

One the heels of a shutout loss, the Phillies have begun a major shakeup, summoning catcher Paul Hoover from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Okay, it's not a major shake-up. It's a September callup of a 33-year-old veteran who batted .253 with 1 home run in 73 games this season. Just a routine move to add a third catcher for a month. But hey, it's news.

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Drabek, Taylor named Phils minor leaguers of year

POSTED: Wednesday, September 2, 2009, 3:03 PM

Andy Martino

The Phillies announced today that RHP Kyle Drabek and outfielder Michael Taylor will receive the Paul Owens Award for the best pitcher and player in the Phillies minor league system for 2009. They will receive their awards during a pre-game presentation on Tuesday, September 15, when the Phillies host the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park.

Drabek, 21, went a combined 12-3 with a 3.19 ERA in 25 games (23 starts) between single-A Clearwater and double-A Reading. He had 150 strikeouts in 158.0 innings and pitched a 9.0-inning shutout in his final start with Clearwater on May 29.

Taylor hit a combined .320 with 28 doubles, five triples, 20 home runs, 84 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 116 games between Reading and triple-A Lehigh Valley. Named the Eastern League’s Rookie of the Year, the 23-year-old hit for the cycle on August 12 against Louisville, going 5-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, a home run and four RBI. Taylor ended his season on the disabled list with a right oblique strain.

The award is named for the late Paul Owens, who spent 48 years in the Phillies organization as a scout, farm director, general manager, manager and senior advisor.

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