Yep, the news just keeps coming for the Phillies, who made two moves today to help ensure that the bullpen for next year is in decent shape, and to possibly find their successor to Charlie Manuel.
After a solid season last year, many people were hopeful that Jose Contreras would be brought back for at least next season. Even at age 39 (or so), Contreras was one of the best relief pitchers for the Phillies last season, going 6-4 with a 3.34 ERA. Well, today, the Phillies rewarded Contreras with a two year, $5.5 million contract, giving him two more years in the red and white pinstripes.
This is a good move for the Phillies, who are going to need to keep some of their better bullpen options for next year. Contreras was pretty much the most consistent relief pitcher that the Phillies had last season, and it's worth the money to bring him back. While deals for a hard throwing pitcher can come back to bite you, Contreras showed his worth with the Rockies back in 2009, and really earned his stripes with the Phils last year. He's worth the money, especially with the way he pitched last season. I was hopeful that the Phillies would bring him back, and they did. It may have been for a bit more money than people may have expected, but to get Contreras back for under $3 million per season? I'll take it.
With the other move today, the Phillies finally resolved 29 years of frustration. It took almost three decades, but Ryne Sandberg is back in the fold for the Phils. It's not as a player, of course but as the manager of the Triple A Leihigh Valley Iron Pigs. Sandberg left the Chicago Cubs when he wasn't chosen as the manager after Lou Piniella retired, but it's for the best that he's with the Phillies now. Sandberg has been very, very good as a minor league manager, and he was expected to take over in Chicago, but the Cubs decided to go in another direction. Now, the Phillies have him once again, and they might just have their successor to Charlie Manuel.
I'm not hoping that Charlie Manuel is going to leave any time soon, but now the Phillies have one of the best options in baseball sitting there, waiting for them to call him up. Sandberg should have been named manager of the Cubs this offseason, but he wasn't, and now the Phillies get to reap the benefits. Considering how well Chicago made out with Sandberg during his playing days, I'm ok with this. I mean, the Cubs got Larry Bowa and Sandberg for Ivan DeJesus, which was one of the worst trades in Phillies history. Now, the Phillies finally get Sandberg back, and it's about time. I don't expect Sandberg to manage the Phillies in the next few years, but he should be tabbed for the next manager job in Philadelphia. Nothing is set in stone yet, but things are in motion right now.
Honestly, Ryne Sandberg should be a manager in the major leagues right now, but the Chicago Cubs loss is the gain for the Phillies. He's going to be great managing down in Triple A, and when Manuel steps away, he'll be there waiting for his chance. This could be going any better for the Phils right now. It's been such a long time, but the Phillies may finally have Ryne Sandberg back. It's about time.
CSNPhilly.com: Phillies resign Contreras
CSNPhilly.com: Phillies tab Ryne Sandberg to coach AAA
Showing posts with label Offseason Fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Offseason Fun. Show all posts
Monday, November 15, 2010
Phillies News Recap
Yeah, it's been almost a week since my last post. Sorry about that, haven't had as much computer access as I would have wanted. Either way, it may be the offseason for the Phillies, but they're still making news, even as they prepare to go for their fifth straight National League East pennant.
First and foremost, the National League Gold Gloves were announced last week, and Shane Victorino won his third straight award in centerfield. Victorino led all National League outfielders with 11 assists, and has been nothing but an asset for the Phils since he took over in center. Most people have lost track of the number of hits that Shane has turned into outs, and that's a good thing. He deserves the Gold Glove, and while Jimmy Rollins had his three season streak come to an end, the Phillies could have had both Chase Utley and Placido Polanco in consideration as well. Regardless, it's good to see Victorino getting some more recognition.
The other news that came out last week was the replacement for Davey Lopes as a first base coach. It turns out that the Phillies didn't have to look far, as they moved third base coach Sam Perlozzo across the diamond to first base, and filled his shoes with former Phillie Juan Samuel, who is going to take over as the third base coach. Personally, I would rather see Samuel, who had world class speed as a player, coaching at first base, but apparently, Perlozzo wanted to coach the base runners, and who am I to argue with Charlie Manuel at this point? Plus, Perlozzo is a very good third base coach, and while he's never been a first base coach, he should be able to pick things up very quickly. It's not going to be as fun without Lopes in the first base box, considering he turned the Phillies into one of the best base stealing teams in baseball, but the team is still the same, the only thing missing is Lopes. We won't be able to tell how much of a difference this makes until the season starts, but everything should be ok, at least on the basepaths.
Why can't next year be here already?
CSNPhilly.com: Victorino wins third Gold Glove
CSNPhilly.com: Perlozzo moves to first base with Samuel hiring
First and foremost, the National League Gold Gloves were announced last week, and Shane Victorino won his third straight award in centerfield. Victorino led all National League outfielders with 11 assists, and has been nothing but an asset for the Phils since he took over in center. Most people have lost track of the number of hits that Shane has turned into outs, and that's a good thing. He deserves the Gold Glove, and while Jimmy Rollins had his three season streak come to an end, the Phillies could have had both Chase Utley and Placido Polanco in consideration as well. Regardless, it's good to see Victorino getting some more recognition.
The other news that came out last week was the replacement for Davey Lopes as a first base coach. It turns out that the Phillies didn't have to look far, as they moved third base coach Sam Perlozzo across the diamond to first base, and filled his shoes with former Phillie Juan Samuel, who is going to take over as the third base coach. Personally, I would rather see Samuel, who had world class speed as a player, coaching at first base, but apparently, Perlozzo wanted to coach the base runners, and who am I to argue with Charlie Manuel at this point? Plus, Perlozzo is a very good third base coach, and while he's never been a first base coach, he should be able to pick things up very quickly. It's not going to be as fun without Lopes in the first base box, considering he turned the Phillies into one of the best base stealing teams in baseball, but the team is still the same, the only thing missing is Lopes. We won't be able to tell how much of a difference this makes until the season starts, but everything should be ok, at least on the basepaths.
Why can't next year be here already?
CSNPhilly.com: Victorino wins third Gold Glove
CSNPhilly.com: Perlozzo moves to first base with Samuel hiring
Monday, November 9, 2009
Adios, Pete Happy
Sorry I didn't post this any sooner, but I've been away from the internet for the last two days, so I'm sure you've all heard the news by now. The Phillies decided to decline Pedro Feliz's option for the 2010 season, making him a free agent and leaving them with a hole at third base heading into the free agent season.
In his two years in Philadelphia, Pedro never reached the same level of offensive prowess that he had in San Francisco, but he did have a knack for the clutch hits whenever he seemed to come up in a big situation. Who can forget Game Five of the World Series against Tampa last season, or Game Four this year? Of course, in most games, he was the prototypical free swinger, with a .305 on base percentage over the last two seasons.
The Phillies haven't ruled out bringing him back if they can't work any of the other options that are out there for third basemen this offseason, however. Luckily, there are some decent options in place. Chone Figgins, Adrian Beltre and Mark DeRosa would be upgrades at the position, and I've heard that the Phils are looking hard at Beltre, who is similar to Feliz in many ways, but does seem to have more power at the plate, and a better range at third base. No matter what happens now, the Phils obviously have to take care of this, and they believe they can go grab one of the bigger names out there at third base. They're going to have to at this point, since I don't think anyone wants Greg Dobbs to start there all season.
If you don't come back for less money, take care Pedro. You weren't the flashiest player, but I always enjoyed watching you as a Phillie. You'll always be loved for the game winning hit of the 2008 World Series in my mind, at least.
Philly.com: Phillies decline option on Feliz
In his two years in Philadelphia, Pedro never reached the same level of offensive prowess that he had in San Francisco, but he did have a knack for the clutch hits whenever he seemed to come up in a big situation. Who can forget Game Five of the World Series against Tampa last season, or Game Four this year? Of course, in most games, he was the prototypical free swinger, with a .305 on base percentage over the last two seasons.
The Phillies haven't ruled out bringing him back if they can't work any of the other options that are out there for third basemen this offseason, however. Luckily, there are some decent options in place. Chone Figgins, Adrian Beltre and Mark DeRosa would be upgrades at the position, and I've heard that the Phils are looking hard at Beltre, who is similar to Feliz in many ways, but does seem to have more power at the plate, and a better range at third base. No matter what happens now, the Phils obviously have to take care of this, and they believe they can go grab one of the bigger names out there at third base. They're going to have to at this point, since I don't think anyone wants Greg Dobbs to start there all season.
If you don't come back for less money, take care Pedro. You weren't the flashiest player, but I always enjoyed watching you as a Phillie. You'll always be loved for the game winning hit of the 2008 World Series in my mind, at least.
Philly.com: Phillies decline option on Feliz
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)