Amaro: Moyer Not Only Pitching Priority
The Phillies still hope to sign Jamie Moyer to a contract extension, but it appears they also are prepared to move on if necessary.
Amaro: Moyer Not Only Pitching Priority
Todd Zolecki
The Phillies still hope to sign Jamie Moyer to a contract extension, but it appears they also are prepared to move on if necessary.
"It's been a little long, it's been a little difficult to get things done with Jamie," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said today. "But again our goal remains the same. It's add pitching. We're hopeful that Jamie can be with us. That said, we have explored a variety of different ways to add pitching, especially starting pitching. And Jamie is not the only priority. So we've kept our options open as far as starting pitching is concerned."
In regards to the reported offer to free agent righthander Derek Lowe, Amaro said, "I can't confirm or deny it, but I will tell you that we have talked to Derek Lowe's representatives. But he's not the only free agent pitcher that we've had discussions with. There have been plenty of them."
The Inquirer reported last week that the Phillies had contacted Lowe and A.J. Burnett, who reportedly is about to receive a five-year offer from the Atlanta Braves. Amaro said he prefers not to go more than three years for a pitcher, but would under special circumstances. It would seem likely to take more than three years to sign Lowe.
Amaro said there is no deadline to strike a deal with Moyer, but I get the feeling the Phillies aren't going to wait around forever to re-sign him.
Don't sign Moyer...nice guy, great job last year but the truth is that he is an old guy. Develop Happ, and add another arm but a multi-year deal for a guy kicking 50 in the pants is stupid. This WS Championship bought you a couple years to develop some young talent.— TheNationHimself- We have a solid candidate ..has everyone forgotten about Adam Eaton.— oceancitygreek
- jimmymack - you may be partially right, but I don't think he would go as far down the food chain as the Nationals - I am sure he would at least want to pitch for a team that has a chance of contending. He may want to go back to Seattle though.— Gary Varsho
- If it's true, then Amaro is batting .000 Lowe stinks (yeah, yeah ....) Lowe stinks (yeah, yeah ...)— Tacklebury
- Don't know if it's true, but a couple of articles say that Moyer wants at least a 2 year deal--is that even possible for a guy who is 46? I know he has done well in a Phils' uniform, but you have to figure that teams are going to adjust to him next year--the younger players whom he had success against will wait him out. Look what happened in the playoffs--I know he pitched well in Gm3 of the Series, but they did start to hit him hard.— bobbyuk
- Hmmm. they can pay for a 36 year old or a 45 year old. Lowe is not a flamethrower and is a groundball pitcher. Not sure if this is for real or not but you can't break the bank for Moyer either.— davekrieg
- I'd just like to point out that Zo was very gracious to the rude person who called him 'easily fooled.' I doubt most people could deal with a public, personal insult from an anonymous sniper like that. Be nice, people.— Jeffrey
Comment removed.- Only real issue I have would be given up a high draft pick for Lowe, especially when we don't stand to get one in return for either Burrell or Moyer. Our farm system stinks, and the last thing we need is to give up high draft picks for a decent player (its not like we are getting CC here)! If we don't resign Moyer, then I am OK going in to the season with Happ and Carrasco battling it out for the 4th and 5th spot in the rotation (along with Kendrick and yikes Eaton). But I strongly believe that Moyer will be back, esp since nobody will overpay a 46 yr old.— dankil13
- I love Jamie Moyer but if the ultimate choice is Lowe or Moyer, I take Lowe. Truth, to answer your question I do think Lowe is a #2. Moyer is a #3-#4 at this point in his career. You slot Myers in at #3, Blanton at #4 and one of happ/Carpenter/Carrasco/Kendrick at #5, keep the others becuase you can never have too much depth, or, perhaps, trade one for a LF.— KMG
- Truth: Phils not serious about Lowe because he is too old but they are dead serious for the youngster Moyer? You are insane!— coach1456
- "Truth" Why is it necessary that the putative offer to Lowe is "nothing but a mere ploy." I am sure that the Phiilies would like to have Lowe as well as Moyers. Unless we know the size of the offer we can't be sure, but it's probaly real. If it's a good offer and is rejected, Boras will leak it - or at least anapproximation - of it to push the price up. But I agree that the fact that it became known so rapidly is in all probability a deliberate leak, designed to move the negotiations with Moyer along. RollinsWasRight is right on the money..— judas_priest
- Is there any chance that Phillies management can make a multi-million dollar donation to Jamie Moyer's foundation, because I get the feeling that that is his main motivation for getting themostmoney he can get. So, if they offer him a contract that is reasonable for them and drop a few million tax-deductible dollars into his foundation, I think it could be a win-win situation. What do you guys think?— Erich H
- Can't imagine Jamie not signing back with us.....he's even moved back East here to FL.....and there's no way he leaves us to pitch for the Nats, cause he won't win any games and he doesn't want to just collect a paycheck....it must be an option that's backing things up......Lowe has baggage, drinking and family problems....whether that's resolved or not, who knows but most likely his agaent just leaked the story to drum up business with the Bosox or Yanks....I find it difficult to believe he'd come here....he def would take as many years and as much money as he could get from one of those teams.— Mark1npt
- Has anybody talked about Pedroia signing that deal after he won MVP?? Why couldnt Howard do the same thing....GREED!!!— Clinton, NJ
