More from Moyer and Utley
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More from Moyer and Utley
Todd Zolecki
Chase Utley held a news conference today at Citizens Bank Park to talk about his progress after surgery on his right hip. Jamie Moyer talked to reporters in a teleconference a couple hours later about the two-year contract extension he just signed with the Phillies.
Here are some highlights:
"Now I kind of have a nice little pretty hip," said Utley, who said he expects to be in the lineup come Opening Day. "It’s pretty. You should see the x-rays. It’s pretty.”
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Utley famously dropped the f-bomb during the Phillies’ World Series championship celebration at Citizens Bank Park in October.
“World f------ champions!” he said on live TV.
“That was definitely an emotional day that we all had,” Utley said. “That drive down Broad Street to the park was one of the best days of my life. I imagine for a lot of Phillies fans it was the same. I could have used different words to express myself. At the time I didn’t. I tell all kids not to use that word. If they’re 29 and they win the World Series, I think they can say that. But I definitely would say to all the kids out there, kids, it’s a bad word. Don’t say. And I’m dead serious.”
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Utley is close friends with Pat Burrell, whose tenure with the Phillies ended when the Phillies came to a contract agreement with Raul Ibanez.
“It is going to be a little bit different around the clubhouse,” Utley said. “You cannot replace the personality that he brings to the field every day. He really is a special individual. It’s going to be a little tough at first. He kind of took me under his wing when I got to the big leagues. He showed me the ropes. I definitely appreciate that. You have to understand this is a business. The whole plan is to continue to win.”
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Moyer said he didn't think negotiatons with the Phillies dragged on longer than expected.
"Negotiations are negotiations," he said. "Both sides take their side for what they feel is right. I think things moved along smoothly. It's all about timing. I think the timing was right. Everything was resolved. I'm happy to be back to Philadelphia to defend our World Series championship. I'm excited about our club. I'm looking forward to a great year from everybody."
"Based off of last season, I feel that I threw the ball pretty consistently," said Moyer, asked about the importance of having two guaranteed years. "I felt no reason why I couldn't pitch next year and having the security of the second year it pushes me and it drives me. We'll see where it goes. I'm excited for this upcoming season. That's what I'm going to put my focus and attention to now. We'll deal with that following year when it comes."
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Moyer's contract is worth at least $13 million. He receives $6.5 million in both seasons and can make an additional $1.25 million in performance bonuses each year: $250,000 each for 150, 160, 170, 180 and 190 innings pitched. His 2010 base can escalate up to $4.5 million: $250,000 each for 150 innings and 23 starts, and $500,000 each for 160, 170, 180 and 190 innings, and 25, 27, 29 and 31 starts. He also has a limited no-trade provision that allows him to block trades to six teams, no more than four in a league.
Would have been great if he said "But I definitely would say to all the kids out there, kids, it’s a bad word. Don’t say. And I’m f--ing serious.”— MFPhils- Maybe an unrealistic idea, but...If Burrell cannot get the money he is looking for, how about trading Jenkins and bringing back Pat as the 4th outfielder.— patzz
- Who's gonna take Jenkins and without us paying $6 mil of his $7 mil salary........we already have Eaton on clearance sale willing to pay $8mil of his $9.......would it be nice to have Pat back as a RH PH or occasional start in the OF, sure....but the guy hit 33 HRs last year...he ain't gonna pay part time.— Mark1npt
- FUtley is a over rated jerk.— The Wizard
The Wizard is an underrated moron.— KINGOFZED- It's the wizard, everyone's favorite mutts fan! I don't know if you heard wizard but the Phillies won the world series and your team didn't. Speaking of the mutts, have they choked on anything lately? Oops, I forgot- it's December. They only choke on things, like leads, in September.— KMG
- Yeah, Wizard, where 'ya been? We were looking for you on the blog about the Mutt's being choke artists. Getting back to Chase.....LOVED it when he pretended to be limping into the press conference! LOL!— Norma
- Hey Wizard congrats on the 3rd straight year of being paper champs.. PS- September called and said haha— philsfan in the atx
Comment removed.- Shut up Davegas. Are you Truth?— betsy72
- Comment removed.
- To all those people who rant and rave on this blog.The Phillies are "WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS" and are the team to beat.They are on the top perch and it`s up to everyone else to try and knock them off.Until someone does they are #1.Enough said!— penn state man
- Phillies = World Champs, davegas = malcontent baseball fanboy on a blog. Naturally the Phillies should stop running their organization the way that won the World Series, and start running it davegas's way.— RollinsWasRight
- Now that Burrell is most likely gone, who will lead the team out onto the field out of the dugout before each game?— parkwood
- Now that Burrell is most likely gone, who will lead the team out onto the field out of the dugout before each game?— parkwood
- Parkwood, what is an extremely important question. Until we have the answer from the team owner and GM I dont' think we can serriously discuss the less important aspects of the team, like who will be the 5th SP, who will end up starting for Chase until he's ready, and will we be able to dump Jenkins during the year for a RH bat— jeff gross
- Now that we know Moyer is in the rotation that leaves the 5th spot open and based on what the Phils have said it's Kendricks to lose. It will be interesting to see who finally ends up in the rotation. Since Jenkins was highered to play rightfield I have to believe that he is gone if they can move him. Way too many outfielders and not enough offense. Like most teams that win the WS we have a bit of a log jam in the minors and need to make room for those players deserving to be in the majors. Just guessing but Coste may be out also. Most times its hard to predict what Charlie will do when it comes to players but he does love good hitters and Marson and Donald have that going for them. So I have to believe they will stay up if it is at all possible to keep them up. There's nothing wrong with our pitching we prove that last year so spending millions on over priced pitchers is a big waste. Lets take care of business here at home by paying our own players what they are worth.— Wally 24
- patzz: interesting; I had the same Burrell thought a while ago when I heard the team's looking for a RH bat...I'd rather see the Phils replace Stairs than Jenkins with the RH bat, whoever it is, despite the sentiment surrounding Stairs' HR. I personally believe high average is more important off the bench than more power, and Jenkins is significantly better there than Stairs, plus Jenkins can actually play the outfield....Here's hoping Moyer makes $7.75M next year. If he doesn't pick up all or most of the incentives, it probably means the wheels have fallen off, and I'd much rather see the Phils play $7.75M for the 2008 Moyer than $6.5M for an Eaton-esque Moyer.— marty
