Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009, 8:24 AM | 28 comments |
 

Phils Interested in Alou
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Jim Salisbury reports that the Phillies have some interest in Moises Alou, but a deal doesn't sound imminent.

The Phillies continue to look for a righthanded bat off their bench. They are interested in Nomar Garciaparra, but he's not sure if he wants to continue his baseball career. Alou would make sense, but Ruben Amaro Jr. acknowledged that Alou might be looking for a little more playing time than the Phillies can provide. If the recent past is any indication, this righthanded bat is going to be somebody we see only in pinch-hitting situations. Charlie Manuel likes to play his regulars as often as possible, which means little playing time for his reserves.

The Phillies also are considering free agents Mark Grudzielanek and Rich Aurilia for the reserve role. Team officials also have spoken with the representatives for free agent Kevin Millar.

*

Jayson Werth, on his two-year, $10 million contract extension: "The way I looked at it, I wanted to stay here with these [teammates] and win two more championships. I really like the guys here and I really like the organization. I signed here [before the 2007 season] because I wanted to win. I could have signed with Oakland or Washington or San Diego and played more, but I came here to win and I'm staying to win."

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Amaro said Carlos Ruiz might skip the World Baseball Classic to be with the Phillies this spring.
Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 8:24 AM  Permalink | 28 comments
28
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:47 AM, 01/23/2009
    Todd, I didn't have a chance to post again yesterday, but let me wish ou all the success in the world at mlb.com. no matter who continues with this blog, it just own't be the same. If you ever get to the Holy Land you know you have a fan and a place to hang and shoot the Sh*t about the game. Now you can post here as a fan though and not as the moderator. We'll miss you
    — jeff gross
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:11 AM, 01/23/2009
    Moises Alou is as old as the tree in my back yard.
    — EL Zorro
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:25 AM, 01/23/2009
    Remember watching the Alou brothers back in the day. Garciaparra to me would be the better get if he decides to keep playing. Loved how the Mutts signed Freddy Garcia to a minor league contract and the chance to be a starter.
    — KarenA
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:38 AM, 01/23/2009
    I never saw his father Felipe or uncles Jesus and Matty played, but read about them. They were all good hitters. The Alous could be the best hitting family ever in baseball.
    — EL Zorro
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:07 AM, 01/23/2009
    )
    — KarenA
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:18 AM, 01/23/2009
    Alou is a good hitter but he's injuring prone and he's old. Dobt this will happen. Definately agree with the Alous being a great baseball family, right up there with the Dimaggios, the Boones and the Delahantys.
    — James TL
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:25 AM, 01/23/2009
    Jeff, WHERE is Zo going ?? Do we get any draft choices in return ??
    — mick314
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:03 PM, 01/23/2009
    Jeff says he's going to mlb.com. If that's so, I hope Zo is able to continue to be honest and forthright, and is not forced to toe the company line. I also hope he is never forced to have lunch with Bud Selig.
    — Lako
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:18 PM, 01/23/2009
    Okay. I really don't get the World Baseball Classic. I'm sure it's an "honor" to be invited. But missing spring training, to play in exhibition games? And what if someone get injured?! Glad several of the Phils said, "Thanks, but no thanks." They're playing in all warm climes, any way, so why don't they just have it during the off-season?
    — Norma
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:37 PM, 01/23/2009
    Zo' seriously I want the job. Please advise on the interview process.
    — Truth
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:08 PM, 01/23/2009
    Truth, I think you have to be a journalist. Second, you have to be employed by the Inquirer and be the Phillies beat writer. Or you can create you own blog. Good luck.
    — EL Zorro
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:57 PM, 01/23/2009
    el zorro, another of the basic requirements is that you understand baseball and aren't anti anything not Ryan Howard. It also he'ps if you realize that Utley is the best all round player the Phils have had since Mike Schmidt
    — jeff gross
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:58 PM, 01/23/2009
    Norma, its really hurting Lebron and Kobe that they played in the olympics, huh? I personally love country vs country World cup, wbc, etc.
    — ktdb05
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:10 PM, 01/23/2009
    Jeff G/El Zorro----plus I'm sure the Inq. has someone "on deck" (aren't I funny!?!)to take over Todd Z's reporting/blog duties.
    — KarenA
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:43 PM, 01/23/2009
    Zo's going to fill Ken Mandel's old role at mlb.com covering the Phillies. Zo, they better give you a blog over there.
    — Potus415


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About Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover












Bob Brookover and Matt Gelb team up for their third straight season covering the Phillies for the Inquirer and philly.com.

This is Brookover’s second stint writing about the Phillies, having joined the coverage team after seven years as an Eagles beat writer. Brookover was hired by The Inquirer in 2000 as the Phillies beat writer after spending 13 years writing about the team for two suburban newspapers. While on the Eagles beat, Brookover, who had covered just two winning Phillies teams in 15 seasons, saw the Phillies move into a cash-cow new ballpark and begin playing a brand of the game he found unrecognizable. Follow him on Twitter here.

Gelb is in his third season covering the Phillies. He was hired by The Inquirer in August 2009 after graduating from Syracuse University. He has also covered baseball at The Star-Ledger and Cape Cod Times. Born and raised in Bucks County, he attended Central Bucks High School West. Follow him on Twitter here.
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