Phillies Sign Papelbon

[bluehenbillk]

Ruben Amaro strikes again - reported 4-yr deal.

[PaladinFan]

Wonder if this wasn't a knee-jerk reaction after the Madson deal fell through.

Papelbon is nice and all, but worth $12.5m a year and two first rounders? Particularly when there are several other holes to fill?

[bluehenbillk]

With our rotation they definitely need a closer. With Thome signed I'd probably look for Michael Cuddyer to be the next shoe that drops - he was in Philly already last weekend but rumor had it they wanted to figure the closer and shortstop out first. Cuddyer isn't going back to the Twins so they have time on their side with him.

[asumike83]

Closer was a need but I think they overpaid for it. $50 Million and a 1st round pick is pretty steep. I understand that Philly has nowhere near the financial constraints as Atlanta but we sure struck gold by going the homegrown route with Kimbrel. I'm curious why they did not consider doing the same with Bastardo.

[NHwildEcat]

Great singing for Philly. Pap is the second best close in baseball and obviously they couldn't get Rivera. Phillies fans will love this guy...looks like a World Title.

[TTUEagles]

Great singing for Philly. Pap is the second best close in baseball and obviously they couldn't get Rivera. Phillies fans will love this guy...looks like a World Title.

We heard that last year...

[PaladinFan]

With our rotation they definitely need a closer. With Thome signed I'd probably look for Michael Cuddyer to be the next shoe that drops - he was in Philly already last weekend but rumor had it they wanted to figure the closer and shortstop out first. Cuddyer isn't going back to the Twins so they have time on their side with him.

A guy like Cuddyer is probably a must. I like Thome, but at this stage of his career he's not a national league player, and really doesn't do much for Philly off the bench as he can only play one position, and even then not well. They need a versatile guy off the bench.

If they do sign Cuddyer, that's a good chunk of change locked into a guy that pitches one inning, a purely left handed bench bat, and a utility man who plays every position the Phillies don't need to fill (left, right, first, and second).

Amaro never ceases to suprise me with the deep pockets, but they still need another starter, bullpen help, a shortstop, and a long term option at third.

[HailSzczur]

I guess the mentality in Boston has shifted from Bard is the closer of the future is now Bard is the closer?

[NHwildEcat]

I guess the mentality in Boston has shifted from Bard is the closer of the future is now Bard is the closer?

Unfortunately. I am not sold on the kid. But seeing as how he is suppose to be the second coming of Christ I guess it is his turn. I hope they take a flier on a veteran like Joe Nathan as an insurance policy in case Bard blows like he did in August/September.

[NHwildEcat]

We heard that last year...

Except Papelbon delivers...he always has and he always will. It will hurt Boston next year for sure.

[PaladinFan]

Except Papelbon delivers...he always has and he always will. It will hurt Boston next year for sure.

I think he was more referring to the world title.

Pabelbon is a good closer. They had one last year too, so it's more or less a push for Philadelphia.

[bluehenbillk]

If they do sign Cuddyer, that's a good chunk of change locked into a guy that pitches one inning, a purely left handed bench bat, and a utility man who plays every position the Phillies don't need to fill (left, right, first, and second).



Right Field? Hunter Pence - best outfielder in the NL East
Second Base - Valdez & Martinez are still there to give Utley rest
First Base - Just heard Amaro on the radio today, they expect Howard back right now by May 1 or earlier
Left Field - Question is whether Mayberry can play there 60-75% of the time & can Brown contribute

Really the two-three positions they can get better are: LF (already covered that), SS - I don't think they're bringing J-Roll back. Now the question is do they go young & defense with a light bat in bringing Galvis up or does Amaro make a splash & get either Reyes or Hanley Ramirez. The Phils are interested in Reyes but seem to be quietly lurking there, just like with Lee last winter. And lastly 3B - If they sign Cuddyer that will help give Polanco days off - Polanco when he's healthy is still a potent offensive weapon. There are still the David Wright rumors out there but the price the Mets are supposedly asking (Brown & Worley) is too high.

[PaladinFan]

Right Field? Hunter Pence - best outfielder in the NL East
Second Base - Valdez & Martinez are still there to give Utley rest
First Base - Just heard Amaro on the radio today, they expect Howard back right now by May 1 or earlier
Left Field - Question is whether Mayberry can play there 60-75% of the time & can Brown contribute

Really the two-three positions they can get better are: LF (already covered that), SS - I don't think they're bringing J-Roll back. Now the question is do they go young & defense with a light bat in bringing Galvis up or does Amaro make a splash & get either Reyes or Hanley Ramirez. The Phils are interested in Reyes but seem to be quietly lurking there, just like with Lee last winter. And lastly 3B - If they sign Cuddyer that will help give Polanco days off - Polanco when he's healthy is still a potent offensive weapon. There are still the David Wright rumors out there but the price the Mets are supposedly asking (Brown & Worley) is too high.

You misread me. Cuddyer primarily plays the right field, first base, and second base -three positions Philadelphia has plenty of options already. He has played third, but maybe only 30 games in the past five years. So he could theoretically step in for an aging Polanco.

I wouldn't rule out the Phillies making a splash in the trade market, but I'm not convinced they have much left in the cupboard after the Lee deals, Oswalt, and Pence. As you noted, the Phillies likely cannot pull off a deal that does not adversely effect their major league roster. I don't see Florida parting with Ramierez in their first season in the new park. They will want to keep as much interest in that team as possible.

[ngineer]

A guy like Cuddyer is probably a must. I like Thome, but at this stage of his career he's not a national league player, and really doesn't do much for Philly off the bench as he can only play one position, and even then not well. They need a versatile guy off the bench.

If they do sign Cuddyer, that's a good chunk of change locked into a guy that pitches one inning, a purely left handed bench bat, and a utility man who plays every position the Phillies don't need to fill (left, right, first, and second).

Amaro never ceases to suprise me with the deep pockets, but they still need another starter, bullpen help, a shortstop, and a long term option at third.

Don't need another starter. Roy,Cliff, Cole, Joe, and Vance.
I also see the Phils signing J-Roll and eventually move him to 3B when Polanco leaves after next year. They have an excellent kid at AAA as SS who will be starting in 2013.

[asumike83]

Don't need another starter. Roy,Cliff, Cole, Joe, and Vance.

I think they definitely need more depth in the rotation. Obviously the top 3 is set and as good as anywhere in baseball. However, Worley pitched 130 innings in his first year as a starter and Blanton was ineffective in about 40 innings of action this season. I think it is a gamble to assume that both will be able to assume a full work load and be effective next season.

[Ivytalk]

So will they throw in Francona too?

[PaladinFan]

Don't need another starter. Roy,Cliff, Cole, Joe, and Vance.
I also see the Phils signing J-Roll and eventually move him to 3B when Polanco leaves after next year. They have an excellent kid at AAA as SS who will be starting in 2013.

I think almost certainly the Phillies will have to bring in a starter (maybe even re-sign Roy Oswalt).

I don't see why you would sign Rollins and then move him to third. My bet is they go with a stop gap until Galvis gets to the bigs.

[HailSzczur]

Hope Phils fans don't mind getting used to a 30 minute 9th inning now that they have Pap

[HailSzczur]

Unfortunately. I am not sold on the kid. But seeing as how he is suppose to be the second coming of Christ I guess it is his turn. I hope they take a flier on a veteran like Joe Nathan as an insurance policy in case Bard blows like he did in August/September.

Up until this September I was completely sold, he was looking great and I was loving the 1-2 punch of Bard Pap and couldn't wait for him to get his chance. Now I'm not as sure but still am optimistic. He's a great player

[ngineer]

Blanton's problem last year was his injury in the Spring. Everything is always conditioned on people being healthy. No way Phils bring in Reyes...a cancerous type imo. J-Roll is the leader of the team is the 'straw' that keeps things upbeat. I think Ruben tries to bring him back. He may still go elsewhere, but I'd bet he comes back over leaving. I'd be surprised if Oswalt returns. He was thinking retirement last summer. Maybe it was due to his mind being elsewhere with the tornado at home and his bad back, but I'd still be surprised. Kendrick also gives them a decent #5 starter as well behind the other five.

[bluehenbillk]

Phils reportedly shopping Polanco & in discussions with Aramis Ramirez to replace him.

[PaladinFan]

Phils reportedly shopping Polanco & in discussions with Aramis Ramirez to replace him.

I do think Ramirez plugs a needed hole at third base. Of course, that is only in the chance they can deal Polanco. Still, he's asking for three or four years for 15m or so per season. He's also 34 years old with a recent history of injuries.

I see him helping Philly by plugging a hole at third and providing offense to make up for Rollins' depature (which seems likely at this point). The downside is he doesn't make Philly any younger, and will cost them another draft pick.

[PaladinFan]

Appears 8-10 teams are calling the Braves about Jair Jurrjens, and, according to one report, half the teams in baseball are calling about Prado.

Frank Wren has made it pretty clear that neither guy gets dealt unless the major league team gets better. One has to think he's eyeing a left fielder. With both guys being young, under team control for two years, and relatively cheap as all-stars go, I'm sure if the Braves want to get a deal, they will find a willing buyer.

[PaladinFan]

Aramis Ramirez signs with the Brewers. It also appears that Rollins may end up back in Philly, but only if the Phillies offer more years, or Rollins goes off his demanded five year deal. Most teams needing a shortstop have already gotten their guys.

Interstingly, Philly tranded Ben Francisco to Toronto for a lefty reliever whose never pitched above AA. Not quite sure what to make of that one. I liked Francisco, but the move may have been necessitated to clear a roster spot for someone else. Perhaps they expect the new southpaw to compete for a bullpen spot as a lefty complement to Bastardo.

[ngineer]

Aramis Ramirez signs with the Brewers. It also appears that Rollins may end up back in Philly, but only if the Phillies offer more years, or Rollins goes off his demanded five year deal. Most teams needing a shortstop have already gotten their guys.

Interstingly, Philly tranded Ben Francisco to Toronto for a lefty reliever whose never pitched above AA. Not quite sure what to make of that one. I liked Francisco, but the move may have been necessitated to clear a roster spot for someone else. Perhaps they expect the new southpaw to compete for a bullpen spot as a lefty complement to Bastardo.

I think they resign Rollins--4 years with an option, as I see J-Rol moving over to third after another year or so for the hot shot SS they have in AAA. Francisco was a nice bat off the bench/sub, but he never elevated his game when given the chance to start. With some of the recent signings, they had to move someone for a roster spot if something else is cooking.

[PaladinFan]

I think they resign Rollins--4 years with an option, as I see J-Rol moving over to third after another year or so for the hot shot SS they have in AAA. Francisco was a nice bat off the bench/sub, but he never elevated his game when given the chance to start. With some of the recent signings, they had to move someone for a roster spot if something else is cooking.

While I am genearlly critical of the Phillies' front office (I more just dislike "big market" baseball), I've always respected Amaro. I do think he makes moves to make the team better over the short term. With that said, I'm not completely sure what his method is this offseason.

I do agree. The market for Rollins appears to be non-existent outside of Philadelphia. Granted, we still have a long way to go this offseason.