Will Moyer stay or will he go?

From: Gonzalez, John
To: Fox, Ashley; Sheridan, Phil
Subject: Free agents and free spirits

The Phillies declined to offer arbitration to Rudy Seanez, Tom Gordon, Pat Burrell and Jamie Moyer. Todd Zolecki says the Phils still want Moyer to return. Do you think he will, or might passing on arbitration signal that they have someone else in mind (say, Derek Lowe or A.J. Burnett)?

As for Burrell, it's sad that it appears he's gone for good. I'm really going to miss Elvis the dog.

Also, did you see the "news" about the Penn State mascot? He was charged with DUI before the Michigan State game. That a college kid was allegedly drinking doesn't shock me. The surprising part is the coverage it's gotten. Last night, CBS3 mentioned it, and it's on several big Web sites this morning.

I'd hate to be the kid. One day you're dressed in a lion costume, the next you're being hounded by journos.

From: Sheridan, Phil
To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John
Subject: Free agents and free spirits

I think Moyer is a much tougher call than Burrell. The Phillies can't get caught up in sentiment when it comes to spending big money on World Series heroes. It's hard, but you have to look ahead, not behind, when making personnel decisions. It makes sense to let Burrell walk. His numbers are always respectable at the end of the year, but he gets there via more long slumps than you can afford from someone who is also a liability defensively.

(And if that sounds like Ryan Howard, whom I've defended vigorously, I'd respond that the presence of the streaky Howard makes it even more difficult to put up with Burrell's long fallow periods.)

Based on his 2008 season, Moyer should be an automatic decision. We like to call him ageless, but the truth is nobody is ageless. At some point, he won't be able to do this anymore. I'd say he's worth the risk for another season. More than that - and he should be looking for a two-year deal - and it gets exponentially tougher to commit the dollars.

From: Fox, Ashley
To: Gonzalez, John; Sheridan, Phil
Subject: Free agents and free spirits

Let's hope the Phillies have another pitcher in mind, not instead of but in addition to Moyer. Lowe or Burnett would cost them draft picks. Moyer won't be that expensive. Surely he'd want to play here. Is the market for a 46-year-old going to be that hot?

As for Burrell, that was one well-traveled dog. Elvis got around, too.

From: Gonzalez, John
To: Fox, Ashley; Sheridan, Phil
Subject: Free agents and free spirits

Zing!

From: Sheridan, Phil
To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John
Subject: Free agents and free spirits

Hey, a little howling at the moon never hurt anybody.

The Penn State mascot's last name is Sheep, so he's literally been a Sheep in Lion's clothing. Odd. I guess next there will be a lot of columns about how the head cheerleading coach has lost control of his program and should be fired. I mean, this kid was charged with DUI in the early morning hours BEFORE A GAME. One day you're king of the jungle, the next the jackals are chasing you.

From: Fox, Ashley
To: Gonzalez, John; Sheridan, Phil
Subject: Free agents and free spirits

A Sheep in lion's clothing? I don't know what to say to that, other than JoePa should have better control over his program. But we knew that already.

From: Gonzalez, John
To: Fox, Ashley; Sheridan, Phil
Subject: Free agents and free spirits

Re: Sheep in lion's clothing . . . double zing! The two of you are a regular Abbott and Costello today. When are you playing the Trocadero?

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