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Maine's agent says he has talked to Phillies

Don't reserve a parking spot for righthander John Maine in the players' lot at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla., just yet.

John Maine went 1-3 with a 6.13 ERA in nine games for the Mets last season. (Richard Drew/AP file photo)
John Maine went 1-3 with a 6.13 ERA in nine games for the Mets last season. (Richard Drew/AP file photo)Read more

Don't reserve a parking spot for righthander John Maine in the players' lot at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla., just yet.

Agent Rex Gary acknowledged he's spoken to the Phillies about the 29-year-old who became a free agent when the Mets failed to offer him arbitration, but indicated that at least 15 teams have expressed some degree of interest and downplayed the notion that the defending National League East champions have separated themselves from the pack.

The story was first reported by ESPNNewYork.com.

Even at first glance, the idea was puzzling. Right now, the Phillies have Joe Blanton and Kyle Kendrick competing for the fifth spot in the rotation. There have been persistent rumors that the team is willing to trade Blanton - who will make $8.5 million in 2011 and 2012 - to reduce a payroll that swelled when free agent Cliff Lee was signed.

"The Phillies are one of many teams we have spoken to about John Maine," Gary said last night. "Certainly, the Phillies right now have five starters, so it's clearly not something close to happening at all.

"There's nothing remotely close to happening with the Phillies."

Maine's best season for the Mets was 2007, when he made 32 starts and went 15-10 with a 3.91 earned run average. While his win total declined and his ERA rose each of the subsequent years, he consistently allowed fewer hits than innings pitched despite shoulder problems that landed him on the disabled list each of the last 3 years.

He had season-ending surgery last July. Coincidentally, it was the Phillies' team doctor, Michael Ciccotti, who performed the procedure to repair a small tear in his shoulder capsule.

It remains unlikely that the Phillies would have serious interest in Maine unless Blanton is traded and Maine is still looking for an opportunity.

Maine made $3.3 million last year. It was not immediately clear whether the Phillies would be willing to offer a big-league contract; the 40-man roster is full. In fact, lefthander Sergio Escalona had to be designated for assignment, and was eventually traded to the Houston Astros, to make room when veteran lefthander J.C. Romero was signed.

Maine could be a smart pickup for a team looking for starting pitching.

It just doesn't seem to make sense that the Phillies will be that team.