Phillies are likely done making moves, Amaro says
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Phillies are likely done making moves, Amaro says
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
With the signing of Jose Contreras, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. achieved two goals he had left in his busy off-season: starting rotation and bullpen depth.
And now, the Phillies are likely done making moves as the team prepares for spring training.
"It’s a possibility," Amaro said of another move. "At some point you gotta get to the point where you just see what you got. We’re probably as close to that stage as we’ve been all off-season. While I guess we’re not necessarily satisfied with where we are — I don’t think we’re ever satisfied — we are comfortable going into the spring with what we’ve got and let things play out."
The Phillies' payroll is hovering a little above $138 million at this point and contracts still need to be signed with J.A. Happ, Kyle Kendrick and Ben Francisco.
Contreras signed for $1.5 million and Amaro said the team will use him as a starter early in spring training. The intent is to eventually put Contreras in the bullpen, but should Kendrick struggle and Moyer's injuries linger, Amaro did not rule out the possibility of Contreras starting.
"This is a player who has already told us he’ll do whatever is best for the club, so if there’s a need in the rotation, then perhaps that’s the way to go," Amaro said. "If we see progress in both Kendrick and Jamie, then we’ll move him back to the bullpen so we can get some depth back there."
Contreras said he would prefer to start if he had his choice but understands that as a 38-year-old pitcher, a move to the bullpen could prolong his career. Read more in Friday's Inquirer about Contreras' decision to join the Phillies.
Health updates
Closer Brad Lidge began throwing three or four days ago, Amaro said. And lefty J.C. Romero began his throwing program on Jan. 17, he said.
" So far, so good," Amaro said. "No news is good news on those guys."
Amaro said he has not had a recent update on Moyer.
"He feels he is going to be ready to go opening day," Amaro said. "That’s a good sign. Our doctors probably think that might be a little aggressive, but we don’t know how he’s going to recover from the knee and the residual effects of the groin."
lee & halladay. best 1 2 punch since drysdale & koufax. amaro explain again. i don,t understand it.— phillyfrank1
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booman, for the 100th time, the Phillies did not trade Lee for Halladay. They tried to make it look that way, but they didn't. They traded Lee for three could-miss prospects because they didn't want to pay him $9 million. As Jay Johnstone aptly put it, by trading Lee, Amaro has bet the team can win a WS without him. If the AL champ has the kind of pitching the Yanks did last year, the Phillies probably won't. And believe me, on days when Jose Contreras, Kyle Kendrick or Jamie Moyer is pitching, I won't be forgetting about Cliff Lee, whose presence would have meant we didn't have to start one of those guys. Nor will I forget about Lee on days when the 7th inning relievers give up three runs that the Phils wouldn't have surrendered because Lee would have gone 7 or 8.- Doesn't Chan Ho Park remain unsigned? He wants to be a starter, but no MLB team so far has offered. Can we get him back to Philadelphia?— Delaware Jim
- I have a feeling Amaro, Jr. obtained those near upper-level prospects for Cliff Lee so that he might use those pieces to make another mid-season trade (Blanton in '08 and Lee in '09 come to mind), perhaps for a quality starter whom the Phils would have the security of retaining for a few years, like until 2012. Who comes to mind? It might sound crazy, but Greinke comes to mind, who is signed until 2012 by the Royals. He was sought after by the Phils before they traded for Blanton, and I think they haven't forgotten about him, just like Amaro said he never forgot about Halladay. Will it take a lot? Of course! That is why Amaro traded for those prospects and not keep Lee for just one year in exchange for draft picks; we can all see from pre-2010 reports that Aumont and Gillies are not so bad and have high-upside because they are still young. Will the Royals take them as part of a package? Perhaps not, but having those prospects from the Lee trade allows us to perhaps trade other parts within our system, like an Anthony Gose, along with someone at the major league level that might seem attractive, like a J.A. Happ. (I would throw in Ibanez as well, only if Domonic Brown is ready of course.) Remember, the Royals are in desperate need of outfielders, and it seems none of their big 2010 prospects are outfielders, and I think giving up Ibanez (considering he does well), Happ, and maybe Gose or Gillies will seem favorable to the Royals. And why Greinke and not just keep Lee if we were going to trade the prospects anyway? 2012 everyone!! We'd have the security of keeping Greinke until 2012, whereas with Lee, there was no such security. Now, Halladay, Hamels, Greinke doesn't sound so bad either, does it? Haha but perhaps, this is wishful thinking as well. Just telling everyone, you heard it from JobaKarter first!! Let's go Phils!!— JobaKarter
- Keep your eye on Happ. He will soar in '10. Unfortynately, Moyer will not. Too bad his pride has blocked a logical (and necessary step) RETIREMENT.— mick314
- Will be interesting to see where Pedro lands. Reports show that he wants a $5M 1 year deal and a promise to have a firm rotation spot. Honestly, would not be surprised to see him sign late with the Phillies. He was comfortable here and wants a post season shot once again.— Nigel#1
- Agreed booman...plenty of pitchers have had a great season or 2. Up until 2008, Lee was busy being shuttled between Triple A and the Indians.— Phillies1120
- Let us not put our expectations TOO thru-the-roof folks. Remember last season after the trade talk was done, Doc got into a stretch where he could not win a game. I think it was five or six straight losses/ND's. The man is human, he just pitches baseballs better than MOST guys on this planet. I sure don't wanna hear any booing if he starts out 2-4....because we ALL know he will wind up about 18-9 with an enviable ERA.I still sigh and wonder what this year would be like with The General pitching behind Doc, but that's just daydreaming...pleasant as it is.— TBear
