Lidge leaves for the Nats. (MLB)

Washington Nationals reliever Brad Lidge joined “The Sports Bash with Mike Gill” on 97.3 ESPN FM on Tuesday. Lidge was very candid about the Phillies not wanting him back and the team’s signing of Jonathan Papelbon over friend Ryan Madson.

“I came back to the Phillies and I said, ‘Let’s talk. My heart’s still here,” said Lidge. “It never left. Let’s see what we can do.’ Unfortunately, at that time, they had changed their mind and didn’t have a contract for me.”

Obviously, the Phillies went in another direction, going after guys like Chad Qualls and Dontrelle Willis. Lidge understood the changes. “Yeah, it’s disappointing. I’m not crying about it or nothing. I understand it’s all business and that’s part of it. But it was disappointing and unfortunate because, of course, I did want to come back to Philadelphia.”

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO LIDGE’S INTERVIEW

Will Cole run in the same rotation as Roy past 2012? (Philly.com)

Cole Hamels has signed for one more year at $15 million. That would seem like a good thing. That’s just the feeling on the surface. Look for things to take a turn south if something doesn’t get done before the season begins.

Tom Verducci and Keith Law were both guests on “The Sports Bash with Mike Gill” on 97.3 ESPN FM on Tuesday and both were skeptical that Hamels would re-sign with the Phillies after this one-year pact is up. And to be truthful, I am now as well.

A source close to the situation tells me that Hamels received a low offer during last season that he and his family were not happy with. So that warm, fuzzy feeling you thought was there may not be. From what I’m told, Hamels does enjoy Philadelphia and wants to be here, but also wants to be paid accordingly. Those numbers continue to fluctuate as time moves along.

After Jered Weaver and Justin Verlander inked their five-year deals with the Angels and Tigers, respectively, everyone assumed that the Phillies would have to pay slightly north of that to retain Hamels long-term. That may no longer be the case. Hamels could be looking at a Cliff Lee-esque contract, which well above what both Weaver and Verlander make. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com opines that Hamels can shoot for north of $20 million per season because of his leverage. And let’s face it; he has it.

By waiting it out, Hamels becomes more and more expensive. Ruben Amaro told writers today that there is still plenty of time.

“We can negotiate with Cole from today through the end of November, and then beyond that to get a multiyear deal done,” Amaro said. ”Just because we have a one-year deal in place doesn’t mean we can’t do something long term. As far as Cole beyond 2012, that’s something that’s still very much open for discussion.”

Really, this shouldn’t even be a discussion.

Last season, I was adamant in believing that Hamels would be back because of his love for the city and his love for the Phillies. But now, that could be souring, even if it’s ever so slightly. By waiting so long, and by adding in factors such as the Ryan Howard extension, the Jonathan Papelbon signing, and the Cliff Lee deal, the Phillies may have priced themselves out of their most important part. I say most important because at his age (28) and hitting his prime, he’s a guy you want around for a long time. Everyone is well aware of that, I’d hope.

Before we jump off the new South Street bridge, let’s all take a deep breath and realize that there is still time left for a deal to happen. Let’s just proceed with extreme caution. No taking a turn to negative town just yet!

Below are clips from Verducci and Law talking frankly about the situation:

Tom Verducci discussing Cole Hamels on 97.3 ESPN FM – Clip 1
Tom Verducci discussing Cole Hamels on 97.3 ESPN FM – Clip 2

Keith Law on 97.3 ESPN FM – Howard, Papelbon mistakes by Amaro, hurt Hamels chances Clip 1
Keith Law on 97.3 ESPN FM – Cole Hamels is so important to the franchise – Clip 2
Keith Law on 97.3 ESPN FM – Every MLB team will have eye on Cole Hamels – Clip 3
Keith Law on 97.3 ESPN FM – Odds Hamels signs extension seems low – Clip 4

Ruben Amaro talks with 97.3 ESPN FM about the offseason. (PHOTO: AP)

Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. joined the Sports Bash with Mike Gill and Phillies beat reporter Pat Gallen on Tuesday to discuss everything going on in free agency.

Among the topics discussed were Jimmy Rollins, the Jonathan Papelbon signing, Ty Wigginton in Philly, and Cole Hamels and his contract situation. Also, we touch on how Amaro and the Phillies feel about Domonic Brown.

Listen in to Mike and Pat talk with Ruben Amaro Jr.

Phillies GM, Ruben Amaro Jr on the Sports Bash by The Sports Bash

Today, we discuss the possibility of the Phillies getting their hands on Houston Astros outfielder Hunter Pence. They would likely have to part with one of their best prospects, Jarred Cosart, among several others.

Is this a trade you would do? Listen in to the arguments made by both sides and lets us know what you conclude in the comment section below.

(PHOTO: AP)

Phillies All-Star pitcher Cole Hamels talked with me today at Philly Financial Day about a number of topics, including his cutter, the fans, and sticking around in Philadelphia for his whole career.

Hamels, along with Shane Victorino, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins, all took part in the day for their respective charities. Philly Financial Day was put together to benefit each foundation – a portion of the proceeds of each transaction from Boenner & Scattergood, Janney Montgomery Scott, and NASDAQ will be used for charitable purposes.

On the eve of a huge series against the Braves, the men were out for a great cause. Listen in, Nation!

If you had your choice of one player, who would you start a franchise with? After Albert Pujols went down (and has had a bit of a down season) we looked at the other players that could be franchise cornerstones.

See who we picked by listening below and let us know in the comments section who you would start your Major League franchise with.

Listen in and let us know who you side with on the Daily Debate, which can be heard every day at 4:45 on 97.3 ESPN FM or 973espn.com.

Today’s topic has to do with the Phillies as a whole. The NL East has been called a tough division by some, but with the Marlins fading (we’ll see what happens after this 4-game series) and the Mets and Nationals out of the race by Memorial Day, it’s basically down to the Phillies and Braves.

Our question, without sounding cocky, how many games will the Phillies win the division by. We put the starting number at six. Listen in to see what Pat and Mike take – the over or under.

Oswalt is having a sneaky-good season, layered beneath missed starts, back issues, family concerns, and an odd start on Tuesday night against the Dodgers. His numbers (3-3, 3.05 ERA) suggest he’s doing just fine. His retreating velocity allows for lingering doubts.

Today, we look ahead – perhaps too far. Next season, Roy Oswalt has a mutual option for $16 million. That’s a lot of scratch at a time when the Phillies can barely scratch out a run.

The question is basic, yet complicated. Which side do you take? The one that says keep Roy Oswalt, the 4 Aces are too valuable. Or, the other that believes $16 million is better spent somewhere else?

Let us know who you side with on the issue by commenting below.

LISTEN HERE TO THE DAILY DEBATE – JUNE 9

A 15th round draft pick out of the University of Alabama by the Phillies in 2009, Hyatt made his professional debut that year with the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters. In 17 games in the NY-Penn League, Hyatt posted a 3-0 record with 6 saves and a 0.66 ERA while striking out 81 batters in 54 1/3 innings. Those stats earned him a promotion to join the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws, serving as their set-up man for the postseason.

In 2010, the 6-foot-2-inch 180-pound Hyatt was named the Florida State League’s Most Valuable Pitcher, as he notched an 11-5 record and a 3.04 ERA in 23 games (21 starts), as a member of the High A level Clearwater Threshers. In August, he was promoted to Reading, where he made 4 starts (1-0, 4.91 ERA) to wrap up his season.

Recently, I spoke with the 25-year-old Hyatt about his success, his pitch repertoire, the possibility of him joining Twitter and plenty more. Check out the media player below to hear the full interview.

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Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider. You can read more content from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.

There are a few choices on this list, which player would you pick?

If you so choose, give us a vote at the bottom so we can see who wins the argument (for bragging rights, of course!).

LISTEN HERE: DAILY DEBATE MAY 30 – PHILLIES CY YOUNG WINNER

[Listen to "The Sports Bash" with Mike Gill with Pat Gallen on updates and live reports from the ballpark every day from 3-7 on 973 ESPN FM in South Jersey or 973ESPN.com]

There are a few choices on this list, which player would you pick?

If you so choose, give us a vote at the bottom so we can see who wins the argument (for bragging rights, of course!).

[Listen to "The Sports Bash" with Mike Gill with Pat Gallen on updates and live reports from the ballpark every day from 3-7 on 973 ESPN FM in South Jersey or 973ESPN.com]

I spoke with Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. this week, prior to the Phillies Winter Tour stop in Lakewood. I asked Amaro about several things including his thoughts on how relievers like Scott Mathieson and Justin De Fratus might contribute to the big club in the coming season, about JC Ramirez’s recovery from off-season hip surgery, Charlie Manuel’s contract situation, about new BlueClaws manager Chris Truby and more.

Amaro also answers questions from Trenton newspaper reporter Josh Norris about Jon Singleton’s switch to the outfield from first base and his overall opinion on the state of the Phillies’ minor league system.

Check out the media player below to listen to excerpts of my time with Ruben Amaro Jr.

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Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league contributor. You can read more from Jay on his site, PhoulBallz.com.

Pettis began his professional career swiftly after being selected by the Phillies in the 35th round of the 2010 draft with the Williamsport Crosscutters of the short season NY-Penn League out of UC-Irvine. The 6’2″, 200 pound hurler started and pitched in relief en route to posting an 8-0 record and a 1.37 ERA while striking out 67 batters in 59 innings with Williamsport.  At such a rate of progression, it may not be too long before Pettis figures into the Sports Betting calculations at the big league level.

By Labor Day this year, Williamsport had just missed the playoffs by the slimmest of margins and the BlueClaws were beginning their run at a second straight league title, so Pettis, who opened many eyes while becoming a NY-Penn League All-star, was added to the Lakewood roster in an effort to fortify the bullpen.

Pettis was excited to join the BlueClaws at a time when their games meant so much, but asserted that it was certainly a difficult situation at times. “It was weird. It’s fun because it’s a big playoff atmosphere, but it’s tough because you’ve got to learn all your new teammates and the different quirks in the clubhouse and all that. It was different, but it was fun because I was jumping right into a playoff atmosphere,” Pettis stated in an exclusive interview.

Lance Carter, the Crosscutters’ pitching coach, is credited, by Pettis, with helping Pettis achieve his tremendous success so early in his pro career, by instilling the proper methods to have a game plan each time he took the mound.

“He did a great job. Talking with me, through every inning, every at bat, to just see what my mind-set was. We worked on mechanical things here and there, but it was more about how you approach each hitter and how you look at each game and prepare yourself.”

Pettis, a California native, made his Class A debut in the BlueClaws’ postseason opener this year, throwing a scoreless 1 1/3 innings against the Hickory Crawdads (Texas affiliate). “First impressions are a big thing. It was crunch time for (the team) and they’re not going to throw me in there if they don’t have confidence in me, so I was just glad to have success in my first outing, so I could continue getting out there,” Pettis said.

The draft bargain, Pettis, threw 4 1/3 innings in the postseason for Lakewood, allowing just 1 earned run in the process. Pettis projects to begin next season at Single A Lakewood, however, he could certainly be on the fast track to higher levels.

Austin Hyatt, who was a 15th round draft choice by the Phillies in 2009, cruised through NY-Penn league competition in his first professional season, then earned a promotion to Lakewood, to help them during their stretch run toward the SAL title. Hyatt was 3-0 with a 1.22 ERA in 18 regular season games with Williamsport and Lakewood last year. He then excelled with the High-A Level Clearwater Threshers in 2010 (11-5 record, 3.04 ERA, .220 opponents’ average) and earned a promotion to Double A Reading by mid-August.

The difference in age, between Hyatt and Pettis, could impact how the organization assigns these players differently by comparison, though, as Hyatt was 24-years-old for most of the 2010 season and age often plays a role in level assignments. Pettis will be 22-years-old until June, so the Phillies will likely feel more comfortable taking a longer look at Pettis in Lakewood, especially with limited room expected on the Threshers’ roster as many young prospects (Trevor May, Brody Colvin, Jarred Cosart, Colby Shreve, Jonathan Pettibone & more) are potentially in line to get their shot on the Clearwater mound in 2011.

Going forward, Pettis’ outlook should be agreeable with whatever the Phillies determine to be the best course of action, as he will surely continue to be a young prospect to watch, headed into the 2011 season.

“I’m just going to go about my business every day, you know. I just want to try to build on this early success and keep getting better and learn as much as I can.”

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Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league contributor. You can read more from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.

Seattle is over 2,800 miles away from Philadelphia, but feels closer than ever today. That’s because many of us know the feeling of having our voice taken away from us too soon. Harry Kalas died in April 2009 at the age of 73 and still we search for that voice. No one will ever come close to having the impact Harry had on this city and this team, and I’ll go out on a limb and say the same holds true for Neihaus and the Mariners.

Maybe we as fans put athletes and others in the public eye on too high of a pedestal. With the way the media is now constructed, add broadcasters to that list as well. Still, we can’t help feel a connection with someone we listen to – and feel we know so well – 162 times a year. We probably listen more to that voice than we do our boss or our own mother.

Today, the baseball world mourns the death of another in the Kalas-mold. Neihaus was even known to wear ugly sport coats and shoes, just as Harry once was.

If you haven’t heard Neihaus, here’s a clip of the distinct voice heard throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Salisbury talked about Jayson Werth and whether or not he would be back, but he also touched on some other surprising topics. Brad Lidge was one of them, and he believes there’s a chance he’s moved (or at least the attempt will be made). Also, he says that Ruben Amaro will be on the horn to Cliff Lee’s agent.

Take a listen to the entire interview here -it’s a good one.

JIM SALISBURY OF CSNPHILLY.COM ON 97.3 ESPN FM in SOUTH JERSEY

We also talked about the possibility of him moving on to the Texas Rangers after the season, now that they have an opening. Josh Lewin’s contract with the Rangers was not renewed, so he’s out after the year. With Franzke hailing from Dallas, it’s a possibility. But Scott put the kibosh on that.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE!

Roy Halladay just threw the second postseason no-hitter in baseball history.  A walk in the fifth inning prevented the perfect game, but the Phillies ace was masterful.  Welcome to Doctober.

Listen to the final out call by Scott Franzke:
Halladay no hitter by edmundrhudy

Listen to Ryan Howard on ESPN Radio South Jersey

Biddle says he knew in his mind he always had the talent to be a first round choice, however, it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that it actually dawned on him that it may happen. The young pitcher said he knows that the Phillies have a plan for him, and it may take some time for him to get to the big leagues, but he’s hoping it’s within three years.

Honestly, this kid is a very good interview for being a teenager.

Listen to the entire interview here:

Phillies First Round Draft Pick Jesse Biddle on ESPN Radio