February 12, 2012
Matt Gelb Inquirer
One of the biggest issues for the Phillies right now is if they will be able to re-sign Cole Hamels and keep him for a few more years.
Many reporters and insiders are saying that it will be a difficult task for the Phils to pull off, considering the big contracts already given to players like Cliff Lee, Ryan Howard, and Jonathan Papelbon.
Team president Dave Montgomery, however, is confident that Hamels will stay in Philadelphia after 2012.
Montgomery said this to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Matt Gelb:
"I don't think it's difficult," Montgomery said. "We've let Cole know we're anxious to have him stay here. Cole enjoys it here. He's not only been a quality pitcher, but he involves himself in the community. It'll probably come down to what we think is an appropriate length and what they think. You try to minimize risk by not going longer than necessary. And a player is looking for as much security as he can get. It's an equation that takes time to hopefully get worked out."
"You'd like to go as short as you possibly can," Montgomery said. "At the same time, every once in a while, you have a circumstance where we're not going to get it done at two or three years.
"I think, thanks to our fans, we no longer have to convince players that this is a good place to play. As a result, hopefully, when the club and player sit down you can find the common ground."
Manny a Phillie?
Zach Links of MLBTradeRumors.com writes that it would not be surprising if the Phillies signed either Manny Ramirez, Magglio Ordonez, Vladimir Guerrero, or Xavier Nady.
Links states that the Phils are looking for a right-handed pinch-hitter that can play in the outfield if needed.
Links also writes that the Phillies could be a possible fit for left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, 33, played for Baltimore and Texas in 2011. He made 49 appearances, where he went 2-2, and had an ERA of 4.39, and a WHIP of 1.35.
The chances of the Phils making a move will be based on how much money is freed up, because they are close to having to pay the luxury tax right now.
Victorino Five-O
Shane Victorino will be appearing in an episode of Hawaii Five-O that will be airing on February 20.
CBS' show will have another guess star as well, in Olympic speed skater Apolo Ohno.
Victorino will act as a business executive, and Ohno will be a Hawaiian historian.
No comments:
Post a Comment