Comments on: Phillies Re-Sign Durbin For 2009; Howard Remains

By: Geoff

Geoff — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:46:44 +0000

The Astros are not bringing howard in because they cant afford him either…Lance Berkman is great though, too bad hes as close to an untouchable as they have on that team.

They really stiffed the Astros big time and I agree, I dont think theyll deal with the Phillies in a major trade for like 10 years. Michael Bourn cant get on base at all and they tried to have him bat leadoff for most of the season. geoff geary is one of those relievers where when they put him in the game i would turn it off.

The angels need ryan howard BADLY, they havent done diddly poo to improve their offense this season which was their weak link last season. im just not sure what type of prospects they have…anyone know the angels farm system at all?

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:17:04 +0000

Haha! Yeah that thought crossed my mind too! He had to be kicking himself last year.

Bourn is fast, but only IF he can get on base. What a steal!?!?

How much of Howard’s stubbornness with regard to arbitration could have been avoided if they just gave him >$1mil that first year? It seems like he’s bitter.

By: Don M

Don M — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:11:39 +0000

After we bent Ed Wade over the table last year in the Lidge-Bourn deal, I highly doubt he wants to deal anyone or anything hear to Philadelphia in the near future

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:10:29 +0000

I was thinking Howard would go to the 3rd party team who would provide 1-2 players in return. One of which would include a 1st baseman to the ‘stros.

That’s why I included Marson, to give them some real incentive to move Berkman. I figured including an elite catching prospect would help do that if they can also get a decent amount of production at 1st base in return as well from the 3rd party team.

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:04:31 +0000

I think they are going to have a hard time moving Coste. I don’t think he even cracks the Phillies roster this year, unfortunately. I like Coste, but he really dropped off the second half. But who knows, he might have a resurgence during ST.

I absolutely agree he’s the odd-man-out!

Berkman signed a 6yr contract at $14.5mil/yr in ’05. Also, just looking at his stats, his power numbers have consistently dropped off since ’06. His average was down in ’07 but back up last year. I think he had a huge1st half last year and then cooled after the ASB.

That is just such a huge hole to fill if they do trade Ryan!

By: Don M

Don M — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:54:23 +0000

Lance Berkman* is good too

By: Don M

Don M — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:53:26 +0000

Lance Berkamnn is the single most underrated player in baseball…. the Astros aren’t trading him for Ryan Howard.

By: Geoff

Geoff — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:45:47 +0000

Too elaborate..also, you dont trade marson you trade coste. coste is the odd man out and is VERY much trade bait. Still, Id love to get lance berkman in here: how many years/dollars left on his contract? switch hitting power threats are VERY tough to find, theres only a handful of good ones (tex, bradley, berkman)

the problem with all of this? the astros wont trade for ryan howard because they wont be able to resign him…your best hope of dealing with houston is trading coste for some relief pitcher, and thats about it.

howards positioning himself to demand a trade out of here to a team that will pay him his money. so i think that the phillies should start looking at suitors now so they can be prepared when the time comes.

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:26:56 +0000

I just saw on mlbtraderumors.com that the Astros did not resign Brad Ausmus and are looking for a new catcher.

I wonder if a blockbuster deal involving Lance Berkman, Ryan Howard, Marson or Ruiz or Paulino, with another third team could ever happen. I would not mind seeing Lance Berkman in red pinstripes if the FO determines that Low-and-away K will never be signed.

Marson has to be one of the best catching prospects around. And the way I see it after the WS, Marson may be expendable since Ruiz is such a good defensive catcher and has proven he can come through with clutch hits.

Ruiz’s bat seemed to have come alive the second half of the season, especially in clutch situations.

By: I know Sal..

I know Sal.. — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:26:38 +0000

I’m happy to see we signed everyone that we realistically could sign.

By: DrBullpen

DrBullpen — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:45:53 +0000

The Phillies are wonderful to get Chad $1.64 million. He had the lowest era of all pitchers OVER 60 innings in all of baseball through August 8th, 2008. (1.68 ERA) That’s right…#1 in all of baseball. He carried the pen for the first 2/3 of the season. What a classy guy with a huge heart. He even helps families market their student athletes to colleges and universities on a great Do-It-Yourself recruiting website called http://www.ShowcaseU.com.

Oh…BTW…Durbin ranked 13th at the end of the year. (See the list below) I am posting this information to emphasize his contribution to the Phils compared to other paychecks that are out there in the league.

Go Phils and go Chad (not my brother) Durbin!

RK PLAYER TEAM IP ERA
1 Rich Harden OAK/CHC 148.0 2.07
2 Hong-Chih Kuo LAD 80.0 2.14
3 J.P. Howell TAM 89.1 2.22
4 Johan Santana NYM 234.1 2.53
5 Cliff Lee CLE 214 2.54
6 Justin Duchscherer OAK 141.2 2.54
7 Joba Chamberlain NYY 100.1 2.60
8 Tim Lincecum SFO 227.0 2.62
9 Carlos Marmol CHC 87.1 2.68
10 CC Sabathia CLE/MIL 253.0 2.70
11 Roy Halladay TOR 246.0 2.78
12 Jake Peavy SDG 173.2 2.85
13 Chad Durbin PHI 87.2 2.87

By: NateB

NateB — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:15:07 +0000

Thanks Joe for sharing the inside scoop. I’m glad you post on this site. I’m a Chad Durbin phan too- he was an important part of the championship team!

By: Joe Durbin

Joe Durbin — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 05:06:41 +0000

Chad is happy that he can now head into spring training concentrating on the task at hand.
It was funny tonight at Chad’s house. You would have sworn his wife agreed and was the ball playe.
He brought her roses, was doing the dishes, taking care of the kid.
Pretty cute.
He was very excited about this being a done deal.

The Phils have rights over him for 2010 too.

I think over all he is happy to be with the Phils and have a set place to play for the next couple of years too.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:23:47 +0000

Chutley, the “one year deals” are for arbitration eligible players. They’re still under our control, so there’s not a big downside to it when you really think of it…it’s not like we’re losing them at the end of the year.

By: KM

KM — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:22:00 +0000

Well done, Amaro – Good offseason signings, and job well done on avoiding most of the arbitration cases. Ryan Howard will be a difficult case. He clearly wants to break the bank every year. Personally, I would look to move him and avoid being help hostage every season, but that is easier said than done.

By: Mazinman

Mazinman — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:06:28 +0000

The Phils as the best run organization in the city. It seems unbelievable just saying it. If, by some miracle, we could get Howard signed long term then that “D” word might become a real posibility.

Bring on the NL!

By: ped

ped — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:47:40 +0000

Holy smokes! I’m excited we’ve basically got the same team next year. All of a sudden it seems the phils don’t mind spending some dinero. The hot dogs will probably be like 12 bucks though! I would’ve prefered a long-term deal with Shane.

Who’s going down to spring training? Anyone? My girlfriend and I will be there when they take on Pat the bat and the Rays.

By: Griffin

Griffin — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:40:49 +0000

Justin, good find. K-Law is a smart baseball man, so the 11th overall ranking for the system is encouraging.

By: Bonezy

Bonezy — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:36:49 +0000

Yes, since most of the team is signed what does our 2009 payroll consist of at the moment.

By: Chase

Chase — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:03:47 +0000

Tim, can you tell us how much money the Phills have to work with after Ryan howard goes to arb?