Archive: January, 2010
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Matt Gelb still here. Just 19 days until pitchers and catchers...
The first person to call Jose Contreras and congratulate him on his one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Phillies was Danys Baez. Contreras was shocked to hear Baez on the other end -- How did he know already? -- and the two Cuban pitchers talked about their new team.
They share a strong bond.
In 1999, when both pitched for the Cuban national team during a tournament in Winnipeg, Baez took Contreras on a shopping trip. Baez bought something and handed the bag to Contreras. The only instructions were to give the bag to Baez's family back in Cuba.
"He probably knew he was going to leave already," Contreras said through a translator on Thursday.
Yes, Baez was going to leave -- defect from Cuba with the hopes of signing a major-league contract. He snuck away from the team the next day. And on Nov. 5, 1999, the Cleveland Indians signed Baez as a free agent. The Phillies signed Baez to a two-year $5.25 million earlier this month.
After Baez disappeared, Contreras stayed with the Cuban team and flew back home. His first stop was to the Baez residence, where he was expected.
"All the police officers in the town were waiting for me," Contreras said.
By that point, Cuban officials knew what Baez had done. They waited outside for Contreras, who gave the bag to Baez's parents, who were crying, Contreras said. Contreras wouldn't say what was inside, just that it was a "personal" item.
The police took Contreras in for questioning.
"I explained that Danys is a friend and I had a gift Danys had given me," Contreras said.
Since he knew few details of Baez's defection, Contreras was let go. Three years later, when he had attained the status of Cuban's best and most popular baseball player, Contreras defected during a tournament in Mexico.
He left behind a wife, two daughters, his mother and father plus six older sisters and two older brothers. Two years later, when he was already an established major-leaguer with the Yankees in 2004, his wife and daughters were allowed passage into the United States. But Contreras received the hardest phone call: His father had died.
Contreras listened to the funeral back in Cuba through a phone.
"My father wanted me to play at the top level, the best baseball in the world," Contreras said. "I don’t regret the decision I made."
The rest of his family remains in Cuba. Contreras' agent, Jaime Torres, said he has been working on obtaining a travel visa for Conteras' mother to enter the United States and expects to have it sometime this year.
Contreras, 38, said he would prefer to start for the Phillies but would accept any assignment the team has. It's hard not to believe him, considering everything the pitcher risked and surrendered just for a major-league career.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
With the signing of Jose Contreras, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. achieved two goals he had left in his busy off-season: starting rotation and bullpen depth.
And now, the Phillies are likely done making moves as the team prepares for spring training.
"It’s a possibility," Amaro said of another move. "At some point you gotta get to the point where you just see what you got. We’re probably as close to that stage as we’ve been all off-season. While I guess we’re not necessarily satisfied with where we are — I don’t think we’re ever satisfied — we are comfortable going into the spring with what we’ve got and let things play out."
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
It's official: Jose Contreras is a Phillie. The team has agreed to a one-year deal with the 38-year old right-handed pitcher worth $1.5 million.
Contreras will likely figure into the Phillies' bullpen plans, but as manager Charlie Manuel said earlier in the week, Contreras may start some games in spring training to stretch out his arm. But it does not appear he is a contender for the fifth starter's spot.
“Jose is a versatile pitcher who will likely get stretched out in spring training as a starter, but our scouts feel he is best suited for a significant role in the bullpen,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a release. “His competitiveness and durability are pluses and what he showed in his brief stint as a reliever in Colorado gives us reason to believe that he makes our pitching staff stronger.”
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Fans will be able to see plenty of the Phillies this spring without making the trip to Clearwater, Fla. Twelve spring training exhbition games will be televised locally, the team announced today.
Phillies spring training will also air on 1210 WPHT for 14 games and phillies.com will stream six games live, but those dates have not been announced.
EXHIBITION GAME TV SCHEDULE
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Matt Gelb here, still taking you through the January doldrums...
Plenty to go over from Tuesday's "State of the Phillies" address by manager Charlie Manuel. Today's Inquirer covers it from plenty of angles.
Now it's time to dissect. Besides Manuel's hint at something resembling a plan to develop Cole Hamels' curveball by having him throw it early and often in spring training, I think the most illuminating comments came about the team's two new bullpen acquisitions -- Danys Baez and Jose Contreras. And many of you e-mailers this morning agree with me.
Of course, Contreras is not officially signed yet (he still needs to pass a physical), Manuel sort of let the cat out of the bag on that one. Here is part of Manuel's answer when asked if he is concerned about the bullpen:
"[Brad] Lidge and [J.C.] Romero will play a huge part in our bullpen," Manuel said. "We definitely have to get them back and 100 percent. But we picked up two guys and both of these guys I know, Baez and Contreras. We've got two guys, if they're sore, stiff or they have a headache, they'll pitch. And I know they'll pitch. Both of these guys are mentally tough guys. If these two guys tell me they're hurt, they're hurt. And that makes me feel good. I know both of them could pitch two innings. And they'll take the ball every time I want to give it to them. I know Baez will not turn the ball down. I was very happy when we got both of these guys."
Was Manuel taking a thinly veiled shot at Chan Ho Park?
That's what a few of you readers e-mailed this morning. When Manuel was finished lauding Baez and Contreras, I couldn't help but think the same thing. Park is still unsigned and indications are he's looking for a chance to become a starter again somewhere. Did he fully embrace being a middle reliever last season? He certainly succeeded at it for the majority of the time, but Manuel's comments could open the door to questioning Park's willingness to accept what comes with the role.
So let's go to the numbers.
Last season, Park was converted from a starter to reliever in late May. He pitched out of the bullpen exclusively in 2008 for Los Angeles. And in two years with 87 relief appearances, Park pitched on back-to-back days just 10 times.
There are a few factors here: Park spent half of 2008 as a long reliever, thus appearances on back-to-back days wouldn't make sense. And he did need some time in 2009 to transition into a middle reliever.
In 38 relief appearances with the Phillies, Park pitched on consecutive days five times. Let's compare to the entire bullpen in 2009:
Park (38 games): 5 games (13.1%) on 0 days rest, 7.2 IN, 2.35 ERA, 4/0 K/BB
Scott Eyre (42 games): 7 games (16.7%) on 0 days rest, 3.1 IN, 0.00 ERA, 1/2 K/BB
Clay Condrey (45 games): 14 games (31.1%) on 0 days rest, 11 IN, 3.27 ERA, 9/2 K/BB
Chad Durbin (59 games): 10 games (16.9%) on 0 days rest, 11 IN, 4.91 ERA, 6/4 K/BB
J.C. Romero (21 games): 5 games (23.8%) on 0 days rest, 2.2 IN, 3.38 ERA, 1/4 K/BB
Ryan Madson (79 games): 29 games (36.7%) on 0 days rest, 28.1 IN, 2.86 ERA, 32/2 K/BB
Brad Lidge (67 games): 21 games (31.3%) on 0 days rest, 17.1 IN, 9.87 ERA, 18/9 K/BB
An aside: Madson's numbers on consecutive days are stunning. Condrey's aren't half bad, either.
Out of the regulars, Park pitched the smallest percentage of games on consecutive days. A warning: Usage statistics are hard to quantify. A lot depends on situations, the manager's preference and roles. But if Manuel's comments and prior tendencies are any sign, he wants a middle reliever who he can rely on every day -- even if he doesn't use him every day. Trust is a huge factor. And what manager doesn't want that?
Manuel was high in his praise of Baez and Contreras being available every day. Let's look at their usage trends from 2009:
Baez (59 games): 5 games (8.5%) on 0 days rest, 5.1 IN, 3.38 ERA, 2/0 K/BB
Contreras (5 games): 2 games (40%) on 0 days rest, 2 IN, 0.00 ERA, 1/2 K/BB
First, with respect to Contreras, he has rarely been a full-time reliever, the role the Phillies are likely to ask him to fill in 2010. He has pitched in 191 career games -- but just 16 as a reliever. And most of those have been as a long man, not in middle relief. So, for now, we'll have to take Manuel's assertion that Contreras will be available every day so long as he is healthy with a grain of salt. Contreras has never had to do it on a regular basis.
Now, to Baez. He missed the entire 2008 season with an elbow injury. That could explain the low percentage of outings on consecutive days. Here are his career figures:
Baez (427 games): 97 games (22.7%) on 0 days rest, 98.1 IN, 3.84 ERA, 73/33 K/BB
That percentage is closer to what Manuel is envisioning. During Baez's introductory news conference earlier this month, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said there was little concern about Baez's durability and the team felt he could pitch on back-to-back days with more than one inning at times.
So while Manuel is excited about the durability of his two new relievers, the numbers suggest to temper those expectations. But given Baez will now be two years removed from the injury and Contreras can focus on being a middle reliever full time, the trends could change.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Given a chance to step back and ponder the World Series defeat at the hands of the New York Yankees, Charlie Manuel decided one thing: His team can play better.
“It seemed like the patterns of the games, we were always trying to catch up,” the Phillies’ manager said. “It’s not like we were loafing. They got some good breaks. But we didn’t play our best baseball. We can beat them. At the end of the World Series, when I talked to the team, I told them, ‘We owe the Yankees one.’ They got us.”
He touched on a variety of topics:
Manuel said he would have preferred to have both Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee in his rotation, but said he understood the decision the Phillies’ front office made.
“Halladay is the best pitcher in baseball right now,” Manuel said. “Cliff Lee may be a tad behind. … Of course it would have been nice to have Halladay, Lee and [Cole] Hamels. I’d be looking good. As a matter of fact, I might buy more expensive furniture than the missus has been buying lately. Baseball is a business. I understand a lot of things. I have my own opinion and suggestions, but at the same time, I have a boss. I think from a business standpoint, the Phillies have definitely made good decisions. I trust them.”
Manuel called Lee after his trade from the Phillies to the Mariners, saying it was a “tough” conversation to have.
“He wanted to stay with us,” Manuel said. “He was disappointed. He said he liked everything about us. He liked Philadelphia. He liked the fans. He liked our team. He didn’t have nothing but good to say about us. But he was disappointed about the fact he couldn’t stay.”
Manuel is a big fan of the two additions through free agency to the Phillies’ bullpen, Danys Baez and Jose Contreras. Although the Contreras deal has not been officially completed, assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said talks are continuing.
“We’ve got two guys, if they’re sore, stiff, or they have a headache, they’ll pitch,” Manuel said of Baez and Contreras. “And I know they’ll pitch. Both of these guys are mentally tough guys. If these two guys tell me they’re hurt, they’re hurt. And that makes me feel good. I know both of them could pitch two innings. And they’ll take the ball every time I want to give it to them. I know Baez will not turn the ball down. I was very happy when we got both of these guys.”
And so long as the team can eventually get Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero back healthy, Manuel expects decent production from his new-look relief corps.
“We have to get our bullpen stabilized coming out of spring training,” Manuel said. “Also, I say it every year, and it happens: We have somebody who always comes along, picks up, and does a pretty good job for us. I think the same thing can happen this year.
“I can see our bullpen being very productive, especially if we can keep Lidge healthy.”
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
FROM Matt Gelb
Charlie Manuel doesn’t know his new suit size yet. The one he wore to today’s news conference at Citizens Bank Park was the only clean suit he had. He tried on some old jackets and they dwarfed him.
The Phillies’ manager now weighs 58 pounds less than he did during the 2009 season.
After Manuel, who is preparing for his sixth season as Phillies manager, saw an old photo of himself the other day, he realized how drastic his lifestyle had changed.
“My stomach was over my belt,” said Manuel, who stands 6-4. “I went, ’That’s a pretty big gut.’ I was carrying around a lot of weight.”
Manuel, 66, said he now weighs 228 pounds, down from 286, after beginning a regular diet and exercise routine during the off-season.
The manager avoided contact with the media until recently, when he made his first trip back to Philadelphia from his off-season home in Winter Haven, Fla. After losing to the Yankees in the World Series, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he wanted Manuel to take some time to get away from baseball.
“I went home,” Manuel said. “I played golf. I went crappie fishing. I liked it. It felt good. I was by myself. But after about a week, I wanted to come back to the ballpark.”
Instead, Manuel put his energy into losing the weight. He began a diet through Nutrisystem, a Horsham-based weight-loss program endorsed by celebrities such as Dan Marino, Billie Jean King, and Marie Osmond.
He also maintained an exercise program at Gold’s Gym in Winter Haven, where he said he spent between an hour-and-a-half and two hours each day. Manuel said he would do work on the treadmill and bike before lifting weights.
“I feel good,” Manuel said. “I feel a lot better. I feel a lot better than I did when I weighed 286.”
Manuel isn’t the only coach in town to spend an off-season dropping pounds. Eagles head coach Andy Reid lost 75 pounds before training camp began last season. But this was after Reid had lost weight in 2005, before gaining it all back.
Not putting the pounds back on will be the challenge for Manuel during what can be a stressful 162-game season.
Manuel has had health problems before. In 1998, when he was the hitting coach for the Cleveland Indians, he suffered a heart attack — his second in seven years — and underwent a quadruple bypass. And in 2000, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer.
Now, Manuel is feeling better than ever.
“I definitely have a lot more energy,” he said. “My knees feel a heckuva lot better. I can move quicker. I can still hit a golf ball pretty good, too.”
Contact staff writer Matt Gelb at 215-854-2928 or mgelb@phillynews.com.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Chase Utley is in town for a few days to participate in a variety of Phillies charity and community events. In between, he met with a small group of the beat writers for an informal chat session. Look for a story in Tuesday's Inquirer about how this has been a drastically different off-season for Utley.
For now, here is a sampling of the Q&A he held today at Citizens Bank Park...
What were your thoughts on the Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee trades?
Halladay is one of the best pitchers in baseball. I’ve heard a lot of good things about him. He’s a workhorse.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Matt Gelb still here taking you through the January doldrums...
Shane Victorino joked that his first reaction upon hearing the Phillies signed Placido Polanco was, "Damn! He's a good contact guy."
And the acquisition could eventually mean Victorino moving down from the two hole in the Phillies' lineup, a spot he held for much of last season.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Pitcher Jose Contreras has signed a one-year contract with the Phillies, according to a report by ESPNDeportes.com. The report says the deal is pending a physical.
The 38-year-old Contreras, who pitched for the White Sox and Rockies last season, was 6-13 with a 4.92 ERA in 28 games, 23 of which were starts. In seven seasons in the majors, he is 71-63 with a 4.61 ERA.
A call to Contreras' agent, Jaime Torres, was not immediately returned.
- Poll: Park vs. Contreras (1870 votes)
