Kicking off the Week with a Phillies Round-Up

So the Phillies had a busy weekend, despite the fact that there isn't any baseball to be played for another two months. First is the news that the Phils have avoided arbitration for the second straight season, signing Carlos Ruiz to a three year, $8.85 million extension. As I said last week when the Phillies resigned Joe Blanton and Shane Victorino, Ruiz isn't the best offensive player on the Phillies, but he doesn't have to be. What he lacks in offensive talent, he more than makes up for in his defensive skills and his coaching of the pitchers. Plus, with the Phillies trading Lou Marson and Travis D'Arnaud in the Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay deals, there isn't exactly a bevy of catching talent left in the minor league system, so keeping Ruiz around, and happy, for the next few seasons is very important. In my mind, this was a no brainer, and it's good to see the team keeping things away from the arbitration room yet again.

The second bit of news is another transaction that is taking someone out of Philadelphia. According to Jerry Crasnick, Matt Stairs has signed a one year contract with the San Diego Padres to be their left handed bat off the bench. Of course, we here in Philadelphia will always remember Stairs for what he did in the last two postseasons, which basically revolved around making Jonathan Broxton his bitch in back to back NLCS appearances. Other than that, Stairs really didn't do that much with the Phillies, but the fact that he was such an important part of the 2008 Phillies means that if he does catch on with the Padres, he's going to get a standing ovation when he comes back to Philadelphia. That man got cheered last year when he was hitting under .200. That's how much that moonshot in the NLCS meant to the fans of Philadelphia. Best of luck to you, Matt.

Then comes a little bit of fun news. This past Saturday, Jimmy Rollins and his long time girlfriend Johari Smith got married in the Cayman Islands. Several Phillies were in attendance, as was Bobby Abreu, who was actually part of the wedding party. Judging by the pictures, it looks like everyone had a good time, and why wouldn't they have? It was a freaking wedding in the Cayman Islands. Congrats to Jimmy and his new wife, now come back this year and play the way you did in the second half of the season last year. If you want to see the wedding pictures, check out Rebecca Davidson's site. She did a hell of a job, and if you're getting married in the Caymans, I'd certainly recommend her.

ESPN: Carlos Ruiz agrees to three year deal
Jerry Crasnick: Matt Stairs signs with Padres
Rebecca Davidson: Jimmy Rollins' wedding pictures