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Monday, December 15, 2008
Park Agrees to Terms
Chan Ho Park has reached a tentative agreement with the Phillies.

The Phillies have reached a tentative agreement with free agent righthanded pitcher Chan Ho Park, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. just confirmed.

Park must pass a physical before the deal becomes official.

The Korea Times reports it is a one-year, $2.5 million contract with performance bonuses that could push the contract to $5 million. It quotes Park as saying, "I was a little worried about the Citizen Bank Park, the home of the Phillies, which is hitter-friendly, but as they considered me as a starter, I signed with Philadelphia."

Park's name first surfaced last week during the winter meetings in Las Vegas as the Phillies were searching for a relief pitcher who can throw multiple innings. Park is believed to be that guy, although Amaro wouldn't discuss Park's role, specifically, when he was asked about Park's quote that he would be considered as a starter. I'm sure that's not a stretch. Park has started in the past, and perhaps this is a similar situation as Chad Durbin last year, when he came into spring training as a reliever/starter. The Phillies like to have as much depth as possible. I think Park will be in the bullpen, but he obviously is capable of starting should the need arise.

I don't think this means the end to Jamie Moyer or anything like that.

Park went 4-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 54 appearances (five starts) last season with the Dodgers.

*

The New York Mets haven't exactly been a strong squad in recent Septembers. A major reason has been their bullpen.

They've been brutal.

But the Mets think they addressed those shortcomings last week when they signed Francisco Rodriguez to a three-year, $37 million contract then traded for Seattle's J.J. Putz. Both are closers and all-stars. Rodriguez set the single-season record with 62 saves for the Los Angeles Angels last season. Putz had a combined 76 saves in 2006 and 2007, but struggled with injuries in 2008 -- although the Mets think Putz's last two months with the Mariners show he is back.

*

Chase Utley meets with reporters today at Citizens Bank Park to talk about his hip surgery.

Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 9:38 AM  Permalink | 61 comments
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Comments
Posted by jeff gross 09:55 AM, 12/15/2008
So this is the final piece of our Pen. (GROAN!!) As I see it our Pen can be 7 deep. Lidge, madson, Condrey, C. Durbin, Eyre, Romero and Park. Cheese is saying that Park indicated that the Phillies view him as a starter--Which I hope is wrong and he just didn't undertand the English. Id hate to see him as a starter. Not sure I want to see him as a reliever to be honest.
Posted by rockinrob 10:08 AM, 12/15/2008
Rodriguez and Putz compared to Chan Ho Park....advantage Mets.
Posted by KarenA 10:09 AM, 12/15/2008
It'll be interesting to hear how Chase is doing as he rehabs from surgery.
Posted by jeff gross 10:10 AM, 12/15/2008
1
Posted by kookybeez 10:16 AM, 12/15/2008
i don't like this signing. Park has pitched(unsuccessfully) in a hitters park before (TX), and isn't going to fare much better in Philly. He is famous for being on the wrong end of baseball records...like giving up 2 grand slams to Fernando Tatis in 1 inning....Cut him now...save the $$
Posted by RollinsWasRight 10:18 AM, 12/15/2008
This is probably just another guy to compete for the 5th starter's spot, but should Park lose out, he doesn't go to Triple-A like Happ, or Kendrick or Carrasco...he goes to the pen. I am not sure what to think of this move. I understand it, but I am not sure I like it, simply because Park only ever seems to pitch well in pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium. When he went to a hitter's park in Arlington, he was horrible. Who knows... this will have to be one of those wait and see moves, I guess.
Posted by B in DC 10:28 AM, 12/15/2008
Can you say "dynasty". If they're leading him to believe he may be a starter, that leads me to believe they're having serious doubts about Moyer re-signing.
Posted by Clem 10:30 AM, 12/15/2008
I said it before and I will say it again; Amaro scares me. My gut tells me his moves are for the sake of flexing his power and NOT to make sound decisions. I can't see Park being much of a help. I hope I am wrong, but I don't think I will be.
Posted by cheesesteak17 10:33 AM, 12/15/2008
dumb move with kids like Carasco, Happ and Kendrick looking to fill that 5th starter spot or get some big league experience in the pen. Park has been nothing more then mediocre his whole career.
Posted by jeff gross 10:33 AM, 12/15/2008
RWR: I think we have enough people trying out for that 5th stater's job. I count Kendrick, happ, Carpenter and Carlos. Figure even if Moyer isn't back, Park is not the 4th starter so we still need to pick one up. I just am having trouble seeing him starting. In the Pen I can see him perhaps. Not thrilled with this one
Posted by doorspj24 10:41 AM, 12/15/2008
rockinrob: You're comparison is pointless and stupid. It's Madsen and Lidge vs. Putz and K-rod.
Posted by bobbyuk 10:42 AM, 12/15/2008
I wondered how you guys viewed Durbin last year. He turned out well. They guy had a 2.16 ERA in 5 spot starts. I think a lot of you are wrong not to see this what it is--to give us a guy who used to be a starter, a good one at that, for multiple innings out of the bullpen. It only shores up the pen and could give us a 5th starter/emergency starter out of the pen.
Posted by androoo 10:43 AM, 12/15/2008
rockinrob- your argument makes no sense. What about the rest of the bullpen? You're just comparing the people who were signed this year. I'd much rather than Madsen to set up Lidge any day over what the Mets have, even if they improved this year. The Phils had one of the best bullpens in the majors last year and the Met had one of the worst. 2 players on the Mets and 1 (add-on at that, not losing anyone) on the Phils won't change that. Advantage Phils.
Posted by Gary Varsho 10:43 AM, 12/15/2008
I agree with Matt on this one. This move is nothing to get excited about either way. And Jeff - you named all minor league pitchers as competing for the 5th spot, it doesn't hurt to throw in a veteran. Even though we would love to think that one of the minor league guys (or Kendrick) can live up to the hype and become that guy, there are no guarantees. A veteran who can fill the role if need be is an ok pick up. Think of Chad Durbin last year, this is the same type of move. They probably just promised him that he could compete for a starting spot, not that he would be one. I don't think this signals the end of the FA moves in the pitching area or a direction that the team is going in, he's just another arm for the pen.
Posted by Matt 10:45 AM, 12/15/2008
Chan Ho is going to the bullpen people, this is not a move to replace Moyer!!!!!!
About Andy Martino
Andy Martino is in his first season on the Phillies beat. A former New York City public school teacher and graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, he previously wrote for the New York Daily News, where he covered baseball and worked with the award-winning investigative sports "I-team."
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