Phillies in pursuit of Francisco Cordero

January 23, 2012

MLBTradeRumors.com

zimbio.com

The Phillies are rumored to be in pursuit of free agent reliever Francisco Cordero, according to Mark Polishuk of MLBTradeRumors.com.

The Phils are likely to be one of the four finalists in the Cordero sweepstakes, along with the Angels, Blue Jays, and Orioles.

If the soon to be 14-year veteran chooses to sign with the Phillies, he will likely be the set up man for Jonathan Papelbon.

Cordero has spent the last four seasons with the Cinncinati Reds as their closer.

In 2011, Cordero put up 37 saves and finished with a 5-3 record. He struck out 42, had an ERA of 2.45, and a WHIP of 1.02.

I will post more details as soon as they become available.

Moyer signs with Colorado

January 19, 2012

CSNPhilly.com is reporting that the 49 year-old, now former Phil, Jamie Moyer has signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.

Moyer will be competing for a roster spot, but Colorado will also have him mentor the younger pitchers.

Ibanez contacted Yankees

January 18, 2012

No one has picked up Raul Ibanez so far, but reports are being made that he has contacted the Yankees about possibly being a designated hitter.

There are no details on how the in-depth these talks were, or if there was any interest at all.

I'll keep you updated if more becomes available.

Details on Valdez's arbitration

January 18, 2012

Wilson Valdez reached a one-year deal with the team on Tuesday to avoid arbitration. However, what he will be paid in 2012 was not known yet.

Valdez will receive $930,000 this season.


Pence still left for arbitration

Hunter Pence is the only arbitration eligible player left on the team.

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports that Pence filed for $11.8 million, and the Phillies countered with a $9 million offer.

The two sides have until February to reach an agreement, or go to a hearing in February, where a panel of arbitrators will decide if Pence gets his $11 million or the club's $9 million.

Phillies will have "every oppurtunity to secure" Hamels

January 18, 2012

CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury reports that Cole Hamel's agent John Boggs, expects his client to receive a contract comparable to that of Cliff Lee's, where he will make at least $20 million a year.

That presents a problem for the Phillies considering that they already have Lee, Roy Hallady, and Ryan Howard already making over $20 million a year.

In addition, Boggs states that Angel's pitcher Jered Weaver's recently signed 5-year, $85 million contract will not be comparable to Hamels. Boggs explains that Weaver gave tha Angels a home town discount, and that he and Hamels won't be looking for that kind of deal.

Salisbury writes that Boggs and GM Ruben Amaro Jr. will talk during spring training to try and make a deal, but at this point there is no real deadline to get things done.

There is an upside however. Boggs says that Hamel's preference is most likely to stay in Philadelphia, and added that "We’ll always give the Phillies every opportunity to secure him.”

You can read Salisbury's full article at CSNPhilly.com by clicking on the link below.
http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Agent-expects-elite-contract-for-Hamels?blockID=633252&feedID=693

Phils, Hamels avoid arbitration, agree to one-year deal

January 17, 2012

Great news, Cole Hamels will remain in Philadelphia for at least another year.

According to CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury, The Phillies agreed to a one-year, $15 million deal with Hamels. 

Salisbury also reports that the club has agreed to a deal with Wilson Valdez, avoiding arbitration with both players.

Hunter Pence is the last player on the team that is arbitration eligible.

Recap

January 17, 2012

It's been a while, but the blog is finally back to full form. Let's recap what what was missed shall we?

After hitting his 600th home-run with the Twins in 2011, Jim Thome comes back to the Phillies for one more year, hoping he can finally win the championship ring hat has eluded him his entire career.

The Phillies didn't stop strengthning their bench their, adding utility player Ty Wigginton from the Rockies, then picking up outfielder Laynce Nix in free agency.

J-Roll signed on for another three years in Philly, after the market for him getting a five-year deal turned out to be a non-existent one.

Ryan Madson was on the free-agent market for months before the Reds gave him a year, after the Phils decided to go with Jonathan Papelbon as their closer.

The day after New Year's, CBP transformed from a ballpark into a Winter (Classic) wonderland.

Then just recently, the Phillies signed RHP Joel Pineiro to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

A lot was missed, but now That Phillies Blog is back in full form.

Update

January 12, 2012

Hello everyone,

Recently there haven not been any posts, and I apologize for that. As I mentioned previously, I've had a very important paper to take care of for school. It has taken up a lot of my time, and unfortunately, the blogs had to take a back seat for a while. Again, I'm very sorry for this. But, I am happy to say the paper is done, and I will be updating the blogs daily again. Originally, I set the deadline for my return on January 10, but the due date for the paper was pushed back. Now I will be returning on Tuesday, January 17. You may see some changes to the look of the blog, as I am looking to redesign it. In addition, I am also happy to announce that I will be making YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter pages for the blogs in the near future.

Again, I am deeply sorry for any inconvience I have caused over the last few weeks. I thank you for your patience.

- Nick

P.S. I wish the best of luck to Ryan Madson with the Cincinnati Reds.

Howard cleared for exercise

January 6, 2012

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Phils-Howard-cleared-to-begin-exercises?blockID=625814&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Halladay makes off-season rescue

January 1, 2012

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Halladay-rescues-boy-from-anaconda-bite?blockID=621716&feedID=693

- Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com