Boston signs Bailey, Madson still out there

December 29, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Bailey-to-BoSox-market-shrinks-for-Madso?blockID=620602&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Posada has talked to the Phillies

December 26, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Report-Posada-had-discussions-with-Phill?blockID=619260&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Phillies interested in Posada?

December 24, 2011

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/jorge-posada-drawing-interest.html

- Courtesy of MLBTradeRumors.com

Merry Christmas Everyone!

December 24, 2011

Thank you to everyone who has read the blog. I realize that it has just been a list of links lately, and once again I apologize for that; My research paper requires a lot of work. But for those of you who have stuck with me and remain patient, I really appreciate your support. Thank you. You can expect full articles to return on January 10th, and I will also be looking to improve the blog as well.

Thank you for all of the support. Merry Christmas!

- Nick

Seventh accuser in Conlin abuse

December 23, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/12/23/11/Seventh-person-alleges-abuse-by-Conlin/v11_landing.html?blockID=618332&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Conlin will keep BBWAA award in midst of allegations

December 22, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/BBWAA-Conlin-will-keep-Hall-of-Fame-awar?blockID=616326&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Minor league deals

December 22, 2011

http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111221&content_id=26219924&vkey=news_phi&c_id=phi

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Two more step up in Conlin accusations

December 22, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/news/general/Report-Two-more-accuse-Conlin-of-abuse?blockID=617336&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Teams in the market for Oswalt

December 22, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Seven-teams-interested-in-Oswalt-for-one?blockID=617102&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Ed Wade returns as special consultant

December 20, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Wade-rejoins-Phils-as-a-special-consulta?blockID=615490&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Winter Classic can't keep Doc from throwing

December 20, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Theres-a-hockey-rink-on-Halladays-mound?blockID=615212&feedID=693

- Story and photo courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Rollins signs on for three more years

December 18, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/news/Show-goes-on-Rollins-re-signs-with-Phill?blockID=614120&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Phillies still in the mix for Cuddyer

December 15, 2011

http://harding.mlblogs.com/2011/12/15/2067276/

- Courtesy of MLBlogs Network

Willis inks one-year deal

December 15, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Willis-passes-physical-signs-one-year-de?blockID=612894&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Tigers don't have money for Rollins

December 15, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Rollins-to-Tigers-They-dont-have-the-mon?blockID=611754&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Phillies tender contracts

December 14, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Phils-tender-contracts-to-Valdez-Kendric?blockID=611170&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Dontrelle Willis agrees to one-year with Phils

December 14, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Phils-reach-agreement-with-Dontrelle-Wil?blockID=611182&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Aramis Ramirez signs with Brewers

December 12, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Report-3B-Ramirez-to-sign-with-Brewers?blockID=610706&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Francisco traded to Jays

December 12, 2011

http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/news/Phils-send-Francisco-to-Jays-for-minor-l?blockID=610622&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Important Notice

December 12, 2011

Hello everyone,

Christmas is rapidly approaching, and because of that, unfortunately, my school work is piling up before break. I would like to apologize now, as I will not be able to fully update the blog over the next few weeks. I have a very big research paper that I have to work on in my english class, and that has been calling for a lot of my attention. Although I will not be writing in the blog, I will post links to all the lastest news and reports. So, you still have something there. Expect this to last for a couple weeks; the paper is due in early January. Again, I am very sorry and I apologize for any inconvience.

Happy Holidays!
- Nick

Rollins update: Furcal signs 2-year deal

December 10, 2011

stltoday.com

Shortstop Rafael Furcal has agreed to a two-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals were a possible suitor for Jimmy Rollins , especially after the departure of Albert Pujols, but they were not willing to offer Rollins the five-year contract that he has been demanding, according to MLBTradeRumors.com.

The signing of the 34-year old Furcal narrows down the market for Rollins even more. Rollins' situation is getting very close to, not if he will resign with the Phillies, but when.

The Milwaukee Brewers were also interested in Rollins, but backed off their pursuit midway through the week when it was reported that Rollins was likely to rejoin the Phillies. They signed Alex Gonzalez to a one-year deal instead.

Amaro, Lozano to discuss Rollins today

December 10, 2011

mlbtraderumors.com

MLBTradeRumors.com is reporting that GM Ruben Amaro Jr. will meet with Jimmy Rollins' agent Dan Lozano today.

The news was originally reported by ESPN's Jerry Crasnick via Twitter.

"Jimmy Rollins agent Dan Lozano is expected to have a talk with #Phillies GM Ruben Amaro on Saturday."

- @jcrasnickJerry Crasnick 

gsmdome.com

MLBTradeRumors.com is also reporting that the St. Louis Cardinals are progressing in making a deal with shortstop Rafael Furcal.

The Cardinals were rumored to have interest in Rollins, but now it seems that they have their attention focused on bringing back Furcal.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported this news, originally, via Twitter as well.

"  Source: #Cardinals making progress on deal with Furcal. Rules out another suitor for Rollins. #MLB"

-    @Ken_RosenthalKen Rosenthal 

With the Cardinals now probably out of the running, the Phillies have a great oppurtunity to make more progress with Rollins, and possibly even re-sign him in the very near future.            

Phils make some more minor league deals

December 10, 2011

The Phillies picked up three more minor leaguers on Friday.

Pitchers Dave Bush, David Purcey, and catcher Steven Lerud have been signed to minor league contracts with invites to sprin training.

Winter meetings wrap up

December 9, 2011

The winter meetings are over, here is what you may have missed.


Madson doesn't take arbitration

Ryan Madson did not accept the Phillies arbitration offer, as he is still looking to be a closer for another team.

Madson can still negotiate with the Phillies as a free agent if he chooses to do so, but if he rejected arbitration, he probably will not re-join the team.

The Phillies will get two picks in the 2012 draft when Madson signs with another team, as a result of the arbitration offer.


Nix officially signs contract

Laynce Nix passed his physical, and is now a member of the Philadelphia Phillies for the next two years.

Phillies sit out on Rule 5 Draft

The Phillies did not make any picks in the Rule 5 Draft, losing a few minor leaguers in the process.

The Chicago Cubs took RHP Lendy Castillo, who has to be on the Cub's 25 man roster for all of 2012, or he will be sent back to the Phillies. The Baltimore Orioles took LHP Andrew Loomis, the Cinncinati Reds took shortstop Travis Mattair, and the Pittsburgh Pirates took catcher Francisco Diaz. These players were taken in the minors phase and willn jot have to be offered back if they are not in the majors.


Rollins update

Because I haven't mentioned it already. The Anaheim Angels (I refuse to refer to them as the Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim, it's longer than it needs to be) are stacked. They have Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson now.

Wilson gone hurts the Ranger's rotation, but Pujols gone really hurts the Cardinal's lineup.

But now that they don't have Pujols, the Cardinals have money they can spend.

Phillies beat writer Todd Zolecki thinks they just might use it at shortstop.

Zolecki reports on the Phillie's website that if the Cardinals don't chase after Prince Fielder, they could go for Rollins.

It was reported during the winter meetings that Rollins already agreed to terms with the Phillies, but that was later proven false. However, it was proven that the Phillies have made progress with Rollins, and that it was likely that he will resign.

Since then, there hasn't been much else other than speculation.

Read Zolecki's article at http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111208&content_id=26129438&vkey=news_phi&c_id=phi

Stark: Rollins has not agreed to terms yet

December 7, 2011

MLB Network's intentional talk reported that Jimmy Rollins has agreed to terms with the Phillies, which would continue his tenure in Philadelphia.

However, Jayson Stark reported via Twitter that no such agreement has been made.

"Sources denying reports of any #Phillies agreement with Jimmy Rollins"
- Jayson Stark, @ jaysonst

In other news, it was reported earlier today that the Phillies were looking to trade with Oakland for starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez.

MLBTradeRumors.com' Steve Adams is now reporting that the A's are not interested in trading Gonzalez, at least not at the winter meetings.

Though it is not happening now, had the Phillies tried to acquire Gonzalez, it was reported that they would have sent pitchers Joe Blanton or Kyle Kendrick to the Athletics in exchange.

Phillies backing off Ramirez, Polanco not being shopped

December 7, 2011

The Phillies seem to be backing off on the pursuit of Aramis Ramirez.

According to Luke Adams of MLBTradeRumors.com, the Phillies are no longer trying to shop their current third baseman Placido Polanco, while looking to sign Ramirez to take over at third.

This indicates that the Phillies are confident that they will be able to re-sign Jimmy Rollins at short, as the interest in Ramirez, and the possible trade of Polanco was dependant on if Rollins decided to re-sign with Philadelphia.

Phils interested in Gio Gonzalez

December 7, 2011

The Phillies have a dominant rotation, obvious fact. But with a rotation of Halladay, Lee, and Hamels, and Worley, you would think that starting pitching would not be anything the Phillies would be looking to improve at the moment.

Well it turns out they are.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Phillies are one of the dozen teams interested in acquiring lefty starter Gio Gonzalez from the Oakland A's.

Rosenthal reports that the Phillies want to have a back-up plan, just in case they are unable to sign Cole Hamels when he hits free agency after the 2012 season, or if they decide to shop Hamels at the trade deadline.

Gonzalez, 26, went 16-12, with a 3.12 ERA in 32 starts with A's in 2011. He is 38-32 with a 3.93 ERA in his four year career so far.

Hamels is one year older than Gonzalez, and had a slightly better 2011 (14-9, 2.79 ERA).

Even so, Gonzalez would be a another great starter to have in the rotation, and his acquistion (if it happens) would make the rotation even better than last year's, consisting of Halladay, Lee, Hamels, and Oswalt.

And if the Phillies cannot hold on to Hamles after the season, which I hope they can, Gonzalez would be more than capable of taking the third spot in the rotation.

Phillies eyeing Sherrill

December 6, 2011

It looks like the Phillies are interested in adding another left-hander to their bullpen to go with Antonio Bastardo.

Phillies beat writer Tood Zolecki reports that the organization is interested in free agent reliever George Sherrill.

The Phillies did pursue Sherrill last year in free agency, but he opted to sign with Atlanta.

GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told Zolecki that acquiring Sherrill is, "Possible. Not probable, but possible. A lot of the things are contingent on what happens with Jimmy [Rollins]."

And of course it all leads back to J-Roll.

Gillick met with Ramirez, Madson to accept arbitration?

December 6, 2011

CSN Philly.com's Jim Salisbury is reporting that the Phillie's interest in Aramis Ramirez goes back to about a month ago.

Pat Gillick, the team's front office adviser, met with Ramirez in the Dominican Republic.

Gillick, as Salisbury reports, likes to get to know players before he starts negotiating with them, a method that he passed on to Ruben Amaro Jr. when he became general manger.

Salisbury reports that Ramirez is looking for a three-year deal, which the Phillies were looking to offer Rollins.

With Rollins not willing to budge on five-years, Ramirez is gaining a lot more speculation, considering that the Phillies have interest, and he is looking for a deal that they are willing to give.

Read Salisbury's article at http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/news/Gillick-met-with-Aramis-Ramirez?blockID=606882&feedID=693

In other news, CSNPhilly.com's John Finger speculates that Ryan Madson may possibly accept arbitration from the Phillies, before the deadline on Wednesday.

Though plenty of teams are in need of a closer right now, Madson still has not found one.

Rumors are showing up that Madson may rejoin the Phillies for this season, then try free-agency again next year.

If in fact that does happen, Madson would be back in the set up role, because Jonathan Papelbon will be the closer.

Also, if that does happen, tyhat is going to be one good bullpen.

Read Finger's article at http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Could-Madson-accept-arbitration-from-Phi?blockID=606888&feedID=693

Free Agency Recap

December 5, 2011

Laynce Nix agrees to two-year deal

The Phillies signed free agent left fielder Laynce Nix to a two-year deal pending a physical. The contract is worth $2.5 million.

Nix, 31, hit .250 with 16 homers, and 44 RBI's, in 124 games with the Nationals in 2011.

The signing of the eight year veteran most likely means that Phillies no longer have any interest in Michael Cuddyer, who they were reported to have been actively pursuing since the start of free agency. It also ends any consideration of bringing back Raul Ibanez.

Though nothing is confirmed, it seems likely that Nix, who is a left-handed bat, will platoon with John Mayberry Jr. based on the opposing pitcher on the given day.

Rollins situation gains more uncertainty

GM Ruben Amaro Jr. met with Jimmy Rollins' agent Dan Lozano to talk about negotiations for resigning the shortstop.

However, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, is reporting that the meeting did not go all that well.

Rollins is reportedly not budging on wanting a five-year deal, and the Phillies are not budging on giving him no more than three-years.

The Miami Marlin's recent signing of Jose Reyes probably does not help the situation. Reyes received six-years for $106 million.

Rollins is probably more dedicated to getting a five-year deal now, seeing that he knows what he might be able to get money wise.

Phillies pursuing Aramis Ramirez

This is related to the situation with J-Roll.

According to Phillies beat writer Todd Zolecki, the Phillies are seriously-pursuing free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez.

As of right now, it seems that the Phillies feel like they will not be able to resign Rollins, so they are starting to look elsewhere.

Zolecki mantains the fact that if signed, Ramirez would still play third base. Multiple sources are reporting that the organization is shopping current third baseman Placido Polanco, to free up room for Ramirez.

But if that is the case, then there is still a hole at shortstop. According to Zolecki, the Freddy Galvis era could be ushered in a little bit earlier than expected, or there is the option of signing Alex Gonzalez.

Ramirez, 33, hit .306, with 26 home runs, and 93 RBI's in 149 games last year for the Cubs.

Rollins, 33, hit .268, with 16 home runs, and 63 RBI's in 142 games for the Phillies in 2011.

Gonzalez, 34, hit .241, with 15 home runs, and 56 RBI's in 149 gmaes for the Braves last year.,

Galvis, the Phillies minor league player of the year, is hitting .238 in 122 at-bats in Venezuelan winter ball.

There would be a clear downgrade if the Phillies failed to resign Rollins, or bring in Ramirez. Especially with Galvis, who has yet to play at the Major League level.

Though things with Rollins do not seem good right now, Zolecki did write something encouraging.

"Of course, everything can change quickly. The deals for Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee in recent offseasons each died on several occasions before becoming official. The same could happen with Rollins. They might seem far apart Monday, but things could close quickly with a productive phone call later in the week."

 You can read Zolecki's article on the Phillies website at: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111205&content_id=26093488&vkey=news_phi&c_id=phi

Rollin's agent to meet with Amaro

December 3, 2011

Dan Lozano

Jimmy Rollins' agent, Dan Lozano, told CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury that he will have a face-to-face meeting with Phillie's general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. at the winter meetings, which begin Monday in Dallas.

News on the Phillie's shortstop situation, and even news on the entire free agent market itself has been scarce, since free agency began.

However, things should start heating up on Monday, and Rollins could be the one to spark the fire.

After adressing the closer situation with the signing of Jonathan Papelbon, and strengthening the bench with Jim Thome and Ty Wigginton, the Phillies taking care of short was next on the list.

Rollins, 33, is probably the organizations most appealing option. He's been in Philadelphai for 11 years and expressed interest in coming back. The only problem is that Rollins is very driven to get a five-year deal.

This may cause a problems in negotiations. Amaro has shown that he is not willing to give the veteran shortstop a deal of that length, and is looking for more of a three year type deal.

The San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves are teams that have been rumored to have interest in Rollins, but there has been nothing to confirm these rumors.

Now, Salisbury is reporting that the Brewers, Tigers, and Cardinals could have interest. The Cardinals's interest would most likely hinge on whether or not they can resign Albert Pujols (that's going to take a lot of money to do).

Options outside of Rollins are Jose Reyes, 28, and Alex Gonzalez, 34.

Reyes has met with Amaro in Philadelphia already, but it would cost a lot to bring him considering the $90 million that the Miami Marlins are looking to sign him for.

Gonzalez would be cheaper option, but he is a year older than Rollins and would not add anyhting to the offensive side. The Giants are also looking into Gonzalez according to Salisbury.

The winter meetings will surely be an interesting one for the Phillies. They clearly want to address the situation at shortstop, but how they will do it is unclear yet.

We will have to see how Lozano's meeting with Amaro goes, to see if the Phillies will move forward with trying to bring back Rollins, or if they will look elsewhere.

You can read Salisbury's article on Rollins at CSNPhilly.com, by clicking on the link below.
http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/news/Talks-between-Phils-and-Rollins-to-heat-?blockID=604378&feedID=693