Moyer Signs Two-Year Deal
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Moyer Signs Two-Year Deal
Todd Zolecki
The Phillies have signed Jamie Moyer to a two-year contract extension.
Both years are guaranteed, meaning there is no club option for 2010.
"We're very pleased to have Jamie back," Ruben Amaro Jr. said today. "He's been a valuable piece of the puzzle for us, and obviously gives us some more starting pitching depth. He was a goal for us from the outset."
Moyer will be 48 when his contract expires.
"There's no question it's a concern," Amaro said of Moyer's age. "For us to go two years guaranteed, I think shows our committment to him, but he's probably one of our best conditioned athletes that we have. His dedication to his craft is as high as anybody's on our club. Jamie is going to do what he can to play out this contract and be an effective pitcher for us. We have every reason to believe with the way he works and the way he pitches that he can do just that, play out his contract."
The Phillies see four-fifths of their rotation complete with Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Joe Blanton and Moyer. The fifth spot? I think you'll see quite a battle in spring training. I think you're looking at Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ, Carlos Carrasco, Chan Ho Park and Drew Carpenter competing for that job. Adam Eaton stands almost no chance. The Phillies have been trying to give him away lately, but have found no takers. As far as Park goes, I tend to think Park is entering spring training in a similar position as Chad Durbin last year. I'm sure he's been told he will have a chance to start, but I think you will see him in the bullpen when the season starts.
Here's how I see the pitching staff shaping up entering Opening Day 2009:
Starters: Hamels, Myers, Blanton, Moyer and Kendrick/Happ/Carrasco
Bullpen: Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero, Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre, Clay Condrey and Park.
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Chase Utley spoke to reporters today and said he expects to be ready to play come Opening Day 2009.
“Rehab is going well,” Utley said. “Things are progressing very well. I don’t expect any setbacks. I feel like I’ll be ready to go, but it’s something I have to be careful of. I want to make sure that we rehab this right. I don’t want to have this problem again. But as of now it’s looking good.”
Well, I think our needs for the offseason have now been taken care of. I'm very happy to see Jamie back and I hope he retires a Philly.— Deb in Dixie- Still need a RH pinch hitter. I think Ruben has done fine so far. Todd, will they just release Eaton, assuming nobody picks him up? I can't imagine he will take a minor league assignment again and no way they keep him on the 25 man roster.— jimmymack
Comment removed.- well i kind of wish they would sign derek lowe and add maybe juan cruz or russ springer....but they are set somewhat in pitching now they need to find a bench.....— baseballdad1
- I wouldn't mind seeing one of those 3 competing for the 5th spot getting traded for a solid utility guy/right handed bat.— Gary Varsho
- best case scenario is that carrasco steps up in spring training and earns the number five spot. it's time for him to realize his potential. no need to spend money on lowe at this point.— philliestew
- I see Houston signed Jason Michaels for 750K for one year. I'd rather have him than jenkins.— lancastermike
- Picking up Juan Cruz now would be a nice move. Yes it would cost a draft pick but he could be a good bench guy and maybe turn into an everyday player.— werththewait
- I give Moyer about a 50% chance of making 60 starts over the life of this contract. I'd like to know what the terms were. $8.5M/year would be about right.— GHOSTPHAYCE
- Glad to see that they finally were able to sign Moyer. He's a definite asset to this team. I'm glad he'll probably retire a Philly. Nice moves so far this off season.— KarenA
- well at least park wont have to live up to any expectations— wearethechampions
- Any good righthanded bats in Japan. Kendrick would never see it coming...— drdave
- "werththewait" - Juan Cruz is a reliever, formerly with the D'backs.— tjc
- Jimmymack - There's got to be a team out there looking for a left-handed bat, who happens to have an extra right-handed bat sitting around for the offering. Wonder if they've thought about dealing Jenkins or Stairs for such a player. Stairs may be more appealing for an AL team in short-term need, as he knows AL pitchers pretty well.— B in DC
- This still doesnt make up for overpaying Ibanez in a very questionable move. Ibanez is 4 years older than Burrel and has only had one season of putting up comparable numbers. On a positive note that staff looks like it could be top in the league.— jeffso
