Eaton Optioned to Minors
Could the Phillies land Red Sox leftfielder Manny Ramirez? It's possible, but unlikely.
Eaton Optioned to Minors
Todd Zolecki
First, Brett Myers.
Now, Adam Eaton.
The Phillies just announced this morning that Eaton has been optioned to the minor leagues. Eaton had the right to refuse the option, but accepted it. It's uncertain where he will pitch because the Phillies haven't worked out his schedule, but that should come shortly. The Phillies also haven't announced who will take his place in the bullpen, but they said they will make that move before tomorrow night's game against the Nationals at Nationals Park. Triple-A Lehigh Valley lefthander J.A. Happ could figure into those plans. The Phillies pulled him after just 2 2/3 innings yesterday.
But the fall of Eaton continues. He signed a three-year, $24.5 million contract before the 2007 season, and it's safe to say the signing has been a failure. He lost his job in the rotation and now must try to figure out things in the bullpen in the minor leagues. Eaton pitched poorly in his first two relief appearances, picking up a 9.00 ERA with opponents hitting .538 against him. Clearly, the Phillies couldn't continue to keep him in the bullpen if he had no chance of getting anybody out.
Here's the kicker: Eaton will make $8.5 million next season.
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Bob Ford thinks the Phillies definitely need to improve their pitching for the stretch run.
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The Phillies' offense bailed out the bullpen in yesterday's 12-10 victory over the Braves.
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Talked with Pat Gillick today. Chase Utley has been bothered with some irritation in his hip, which could be bothering him at the plate. Utley is hitting just .253 with 12 homers and 45 RBIs in 269 at-bats since May 5. That includes a .332 on-base percentage and a .457 slugging percentage. He was hitting .362 with 13 homers and 26 RBIs in 130 at-bats to start the season. That included a .441 on-base percentage and a .769 slugging percentage.
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The Red Sox are looking to trade Manny Ramirez, but it seems unlikely he ends up with the Phillies.
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In the Phillies Notebook: Shane Victorino's collision at home plate.
We don't yet know that Happ is joining the Phillies, although I hope so. It is equally likely that he has been traded, probably for a left-handed reliever like Brian Fuentes. Both players (or whoever) may now be undergoing physicals. It would be a waste of a good young starter, but is consistent with other short-sighted moves the Phillies have made. Of course, moving Myers to the bullpen and letting Happ start is the best move— JayW- Jeff Gross- I'll ask once again, why are you so emphatically pointing out the positives with CHASE UTLEY? Over the last 72 gms(almost half a season)Utley is hitting just .253 with 12 homers and 45 RBIs in 269 at-bats since May 5. HE GOT OFF TO SIZZLING START. He has been avg since. Call him on it jeff. YOU used to defend him and say he was top 5 in Rbi's and HR's and so on and so forth. Now you brag that he is in the top 50. You lose this arguement hands down jeff gross. Goodbye!— Truth
- I bet Myers would improve if they did move him to the bullpen in the set-up role. Maybe not as glamous or "rock starish" as a closer, but it might suit him better.— KarenA
- I agree that Utley is slumping lately. The argument wasn't about that, but whether he gets a free ride as apposed to Rollins. If Rollins has a super hot August and brings his numbers up to where they could be I won't mention his lack of hustle or lateness again. Deal??— jeff gross
- jeff gross-I'm not saying Rollins doesn't deserve to be bashed(at least by Philadelphia standards). What I'm saying is Utley has been brutal and its barely mentioned. I have to mention it for Zolecki to give it a small blurb. Howard and Rollins miscue's/or slumps are HEADLINERS here. Utley has been in the tank for half a season and it gets a blurb. Its a joke!— Truth
- Get off Rollins. He is not the problem. It's so easy to say he's late that's why no one hits...that's a cop out. The real issues with Utley...a great player, but if he's hurt he should sit and get better not have the team, his average and the fans suffer with him.— G$Money
- I agree, Chase probably shouldn't have participated in the HR Derby. That was HIS call. He could have declined the *invitation*. My guess is, he hadn't told anyone about his hip issue yet. He did NOT want to miss the chance of playing in Yankee Stadium, by being on the DL and sitting on the bench the entire game. And he DID get a hit!— Norma
- I agree Chase should sit a few games. Maybe I'll talk to him about it at the Phestival tonight. LOL!— Norma
- I also find it funny that with no Howard to bash-John in LA has all but disappeared. He is definitely a one trick pony!— Truth
- Norma: Enjoy the Phestival! Try not to drool to much if you do meet Chase (LOL!) I just bought the "Best of Philly" mag since he and the Mrs. are on the cover. Whata handsome couple and seemingly down-to-earth. They were introduced by none other than former Eagles Freddy Mitchell!— KarenA
- I'm always amazed by the number of Philadelphia fans who equate the hustle or greatness of a player by the amount of dirt on the uniform. That's why fans booed Mike Schmidt when he was a play. Those same fans now regard him as the greatest third baseman of his generation. As for Jeff Gross' remarks about fogetting the racist BS, he should well remember that Cash left the Phillies because the team didn't want to pay him - and he wasn't seeking Ryan Howard-type bucks. There's an undeniable history of the Phillies not doing right by players of color, all the way from the obscene heckling of Jackie Robinson by Phillies players and manager to being one of the last National League teams to sign a black player. The Phillies have had a habit of letting players of color - Dave cash, Manny Trillo - go when they sought more money or wanted longer term contracts As much as I love Philadelphia, it's always bothered me that many of the city's sports fans have been unable to embrace or appreciate black star athletes from Wilt to Sir Charles to McNabb, to Allen Iverson and now to Ryan Howard. Sure, all these guys had or have some flaws. But so did Pete Rose, Darren Daulton and Lenny Dykstra. But, hey, they got their uniforms dirty.— phillyfandc
- Plus Utley actually lives in Philly which gives him additional points with the fans. As others have stated, because he gives 110% each time he plays and his intensity fans give him the benefit of the doubt.— KarenA
- Truth, I actually offered to buy you a Schmitter if you go to the Aug. Dodgers with me, Norma, JM and others. Also, Howard's holding firm at .235. 'Nuff said. Finally, I guess I'm kinda disappointed at all the negativity here -- the SOUL just broke Philly's 20-plus years without a championship, people! I'm flying in for the parade. Who's joining me????????— John in LA
- KarenA......Thanks for the heads-up about "Best of Philly"! I knew *FredEx* introduced them. They all went to UCLA together. In fact, Freddy Mitchell played baseball in college! But Chase said he wasn't very good. LOL!— Norma
- phillyfandc: I said we booed Michael jack for not performing as we wanted, I didn't mention his lack of hustle, since he always gave 110%. I seem to recall Cash leavign because we got a better second baseman--wasn't it Trillo btw? I don't remember Dr. J complaining about his salary, or Moses Malone. Was Gary maddox upset with his pay? Was Bake McBride? Could it be that some people are a bit too sensitive? I love Rollins and want him to go from his Phillie days to the Hall of Fame, but I also want him to Hustle-like Rose, Dykstra, Bowa, Maddox, Samuel and many other top Phillies of the past and Utley, Shane. Believe me, if COle doesn't change his attitude, white, balck or green, we'll get on his case too for not giving it his all— jeff gross
