Winter meetings begin (WITH UPDATES)
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Winter meetings begin (WITH UPDATES)
Andy Martino
UPDATED, 7:50pm
The Phils have finished meeting with agents from the Beverly Hills Sports Council, who represent Chan Ho Park and Chad Durbin. A person with direct knowledge of the discussions characterized talks with Park as "ongoing."
We wrote below that the Phils appear likely to tender a contract to Durbin.
UPDATED, 6:03pm
--Just came out of Ruben Amaro's daily briefing with reporters. Before I delve into transcribing the quotes, here is the gist: He insisted that the Phils would not push payroll much past $140 million, but he also said that they are hoping to add a late-inning guy. How to resolve this contradiction? Perhaps by moving some payroll. That would be the philosophy behind the Joe Blanton trade rumors, which Amaro would not directly comment on.
--No decisions yet on whether to tender contracts to Chad Durbin or Clay Condrey before Dec. 12 deadline, but Amaro said "Those are guys who we will probably count on."
--If the Phils open talks with Pedro Martinez, it will not be until much later in the offseason.
--Acquiring that last bench piece is a very low priority right now, could be left to an in-season trade.
UPDATED, 3:05pm
Heard this about Brandon Lyon from a major league source: He is not expected to sign anywhere soon, and winning is more important to him than closing.
The Ken Rosenthal tweet mentioned below about Lyon being too expensive for the Phils made perfect sense in light of their recent talk about a tight budget, but it is far from impossible that he lands in Philly. For one thing, he is the perfect fit, from a baseball standpoint--experience closing, willingness to set up. But he might just end up asking more than the team is willing to spend to fill that role.
Lyon has been linked to Phils in many places, but the team has expressed only a preliminary interest at this point, a source said. Stay tuned.
UPDATED, 12:44pm
--The Phils will meet with Chan Ho Park's agent, Jeff Borris, later this afternoon--one of many, many such meetings with agents this week. Ruben Amaro seems to believe that Park has accepted the fact that he should be a reliever at this stage in his career, and he and Borris are having a difficult time agreeing on Park's value. In reality, Park has not decided definitely that his rotation days are over, though it is unclear if he has received any offers to start next year. The Phils view him strictly as a reliever.
--Also, the Phils have been named organization of the year by Baseball America, and are accepting the award at a luncheon right now.
--There is a report out there from AOLFanhouse's Ed Price that the Phils are checking in on potential trade interest in Joe Blanton, as a way to clear payroll space and possibly sign a reliever. FoxSports's Ken Rosenthal tweeted this morning that Brandon Lyon's price was too high for the Phils, no surprise given the way Amaro has talked of late about a supposedly tight budget.
Good morning from the press room at the Indianapolis Marriott, where the winter meetings are beginning slowly, from a Philly perspective. Not much happening yet on this snowy morning, but we did just hear that umpire Doug Harvey and former Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog were elected by the Veterans Committee to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Comment removed.
What's up with the Feliz bellyaching? Polanco gets $500 more, is way more flexible in the batting order and the field, plus he has a great attitude. Signing Polanco was sure genious. Just sayin'— MGB- Comment removed.
- Hollywood Junkie- he's already making 19 million this year and they can afford him. We finish 2nd in the division the past 3 years without him.— bobf876
- Hey vetlincbank,...Just sayin'..— PhillieJoe
- Lose Blanton.........lose an inning eater. Think that isn't important?— NC Dennis
- Sign Cho Han Park first, then decide if he's to be a starter or a bull penner. It's a moot point if he doesn't sign.— phineas
- phineas, Chan Ho's in the 'pen...starting is the moot point.— MGB
- Great! They're trading their only reliable RH starter? I suspected it anyway, becasue he will getting a hefty figure in arbitration (7-8 mil). That's kind of too much for a 3-4 starter these days. I guess he won't be in the Halladay trade.— EL Zorro
- Low tide, Much like the Eagles determined that good WRs and LBs are unnecessary, the Phillies' brass has determined that right-handed starting pitchers are no longer part of today's "game"! ;)— jman
- If Amaro's concerned about a "budget", why is he signing aging backup catchers for $3 million over 2 years? And now there's talk about trading their only right-handed starter, to save money? .. Rube & Monty: Now is not the time to revert to your past, cheapskate ways! The fans paid for 60+ sellouts last year, and you have reised ticket prices. Spend OUR money!— jman
- Coudl Ibanez be made available as wel in order to free up some $$$. Both he and Blanton have kids (read "Cheap") kids waiting behind them. It'd be great if they could get Seattle to take Ibanez and Moyer back for even a decent Single A prospect with some good upside. I hate to say it but start shopping Werth too. Then go get Halladay and Lyon. Maybe Blanton and Happ are part of the package for Doc.— shova
- Must you Philly.com people keep up the box score for the final WS game??? It still hurts!!! But not as much as the autoplay!!!!!!!— youpeoplehaveissues
- Must you Philly.com people keep up the box score for the final WS game??? It still hurts!!! But not as much as the autoplay!!!!!!!— youpeoplehaveissues
- Fans have demonstrated a willingness to pay higher ticket prices to watch a quality product. Phils did draw 3.6 million. That being said, there is an imperative to sign front-line talent to bring home another championship.— DameB
