Archive: December, 2010
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
By Matt Gelb
The Phillies will replace J.C. Romero with... J.C. Romero.
Two baseball sources confirmed Monday the lefthander will return for his fifth season in Philadelphia. The two sides have reached an agreement on a one-year contract, pending a physical.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Earlier in the week, we discussed the bigger picture effect of the Cliff Lee signing on the Phillies franchise. On the field, beyond the simple fact that the Phillies now have the finest rotation in the majors, Lee's signing has a trickle-down effect on the rest of the roster.
In the last few decades, bullpens have naturally expanded as starters pitch fewer innings and, in the National League, settled upon seven relievers as the standard. Middle relievers have become commodities on the open market -- this off-season, teams have handed out an astounding 11 multi-year contracts to relievers.
But with the current construction of the Phillies' staff, the bullpen is de-emphasized. The guys over at The Good Phight did a quick and dirty analysis based on 2010 innings averages that concluded Phillies starting pitchers could be expected to average 6.87 innings per start in 2011. Again, that assumes health and maintaining stamina from 2010.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Wrapping up a few signings over the last week...
At the end of the winter meetings, the Phillies released two younger pitchers to clear space from their 40-man roster. At the time, Ruben Amaro Jr. said he hoped both would clear waivers and re-sign with the Phillies.
Both pitchers chose to sign elsewhere.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Inquirer's Matt Gelb takes your questions about all the latest Phillies hot stove news in a live chat at 2 p.m.
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Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
While making dinner plans last week with a friend who lives in San Jose, Costa Rica, he asked an innocent question.
"Hey, did you see what the Phillies did?"
I had no Internet or phone connections during my week-long vacation in Costa Rica, so there was no possible way.
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
Video: The Inquirer's Bob Brookover and Phil Sheridan talk about Cliff Lee's return to Philadelphia after Lee was re-introduced to the media today at Citizens Bank Park.
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
Cliff Lee wanted to come back to Philadelphia. He made that point abundantly clear more than once during his news conference Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park.
The 32-year-old lefthander also made it clear to the Phillies a number of times and a number of ways before signing the five-year, $120 million deal that set up a rotation of four aces for next season.
One final way Lee showed the Phillies he wanted to be here was by backloading his contract. He will make $11 million in 2011, which helps the team keep its payroll down until 2012 when players such as Roy Oswalt ($16 million), Brad Lidge ($11.5 million) and Raul Ibanez ($11.5 million) could all be cleared from the payroll.
- Poll: Who should be the Phillies’ fifth starter? (1282 votes)
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
The Phillies have made the Cliff Lee signing official, so he rejoins the team exactly 364 days after he was traded to the Seattle Mariners.
The team verified that the deal is for five years and $120 million with a sixth-year vesting option. Lee will wear No. 33 because his old number with the Phillies (34) now belongs to Roy Halladay, the man who replaced him as the staff ace last season.
Lee will meet with the media at 3 p.m. in Citizens Bank Park.
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
Baseball America released its list of top 10 Phillies prospects on its web site (baseballamerica.com) Monday and gave a flattering review to the team's farm system.
Domonic Brown topped that list for the second straight year and was followed by Jonathan Singleton, the Lakewood first baseman who is expected to move to the outfield next season, probably at single-A Clearwater.
The remaining names on the BA list with position and their 2010 team: 3. Brody Colvin, P, Lakewood; 4. Jarred Cosart, P, Lakewood; 5. Trevor May, P, Clearwater and Lakewood; 6. Sebastian Valle, C, Lakewood; 7. Jiwan James, OF, Lakewood; 8. Jesse Biddle, P, Gulf Coast League and Williamsport; 9. Domingo Santana, OF, Lakewood and Williamsport; 10. Aaron Altherr, OF, Gulf Coast League and Williamsport.
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins underwent minor surgery Thursday on his left wrist, the team announced Saturday night.
Hand specialist Dr. Randall Culp removed a ganglion cyst from Rollins' wrist. The Phillies' release said Rollins will have stitches removed from the surgical area within the next two weeks.
Rollins, 32, is coming off an injury-ravaged season that limited him to 88 games and is entering the final year of the six-year contract he signed in 2005.
