Phillies Nation

Lannan is now available. Would you like to see him in Phillies' pinstripes?

Yesterday, we learned the Phillies did not tender a contract to outfielder Nate Schierholtz. With that move, the Phillies sit at 37 players on their 40-man roster and now have some wiggle-room to address their needs at third base, center field, and pitching.

If you’ve read my posts before, I love talking about non-tenders, non-roster invitees, and other roster minutia. I also love shopping at discount stores for bargains and then comparing my shopping experiences to baseball transactions. Monitoring the non-tender wire helps give me that fix. Here are players other teams non-tendered that would be worth a Minor League contract and an invite to Spring Training. Continue reading Non-Tendered Targets

Could we see this celebration in Philadelphia? Photo: AP

Fresh from the desk of Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies are believed to have offered center fielder Angel Pagan a four year deal. The 31-year old Pagan hit .288/.331/.440 with eight homers and 29 steals in a bounce-back 2012. His 2012 line was just slightly better than his career line of .281/.333/.424. Pagan has seemingly emerged as the Phillies’ premier center field target as the team believes it can commit to Pagan and fill holes at third and in the bullpen. Rosenthal believes the Giants have also offered Pagan four years.

Analysis: Pagan’s 2012 was a bounce-back year from an out-of-the-ordinary extraordinary 2010 with the Mets. Pagan has faired well on the basepaths at a 78.98% success-rate and has played above-average defense in center for his career but really only three full and one half season under his belt with several partial seasons scattered across seven years. Four years is way too long of a commitment, in my opinion, for a player that has only had success in three seasons and is already 31.

Schierhotlz will not return to the Phillies in 2013.

According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the Phillies have non-tendered outfielder Nate Schierholtz and let him become a free agent. Schierholtz hit .273/.319/.379 in just 73 plate appearances last year after being acquired in the Hunter Pence trade. Schierholtz, 28, is a career .270/.319/.409 hitter with a plus arm in right field and has been worth about a Win Above Replacement level per year according to FanGraphs. Schierholtz made $1.3 million last year and likely would have seen a raise had the Phillies tendered an offer.

The move leaves the Phillies with 37 players on their 40 man roster which includes four outfielders who have played in the Majors (Domonic Brown, John Mayberry Jr., Laynce Nix, and Darin Ruf) and two that have not (Zach Collier and Tyson Gillies).

Nats Acquire Span

The biggest news in baseball today is the Nationals’ acquisition of center fielder Denard Span. Span, 28, has two years, $11.25 million left on his contract and a $9 million team option for 2015. The Nationals parted with 2011 first-round pick, right-hander Alex Meyer for Span. Span is a career .284/.357/.389 hitter and a plus defender in center.

The trade for Span narrows the Phillies’ options, however, it also takes a potential destination off the table for the other free agent center fielders. With the Giants still the favorite for Angel Pagan until further notice, it appears that the Phillies may have their pick between Michael Bourn, Josh Hamilton, Shane Victorino, non-tender candidate Andres Torres, and others as free agents and the Yankees’ Curtis Granderson and Rockies’ Dexter Fowler as trade targets. The teams still seeking center fielders is believed to be narrowed to the Phillies, Reds, Red Sox, Indians, Marlins, and Rays, although it is believed that of those teams, only the Phillies, Reds, and Red Sox have money to spend.

Upton Offered $20 Million Less By Phils

The Phillies reportedly came in second place in the B.J. Upton bidding war. The Phils’ offer of five years, $55 million was topped by over $20 million by the Braves according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman.

Continue reading Hot Stove: Nats Acquire Span, Lopez Trade Stalls

UPDATE 2:31 PM: According to Todd Zolecki, the trade is now “unlikely” to happen.

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Our Corey Seidman reported yesterday that the Phillies were close to acquiring Houston Astros reliever Wilton Lopez per CSN’s Jim Salisbury. Lopez, 29, was due to be first-time arbitration eligible and is estimated to make around $1.4 million.

While many Phillies fans were wondering who would be included in the trade, today Phillies fans may start to wonder if the trade will happen. Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the status of the trade is now “unclear“. Another of Rosenthal’s sources indicate that the trade is still close and that the names discussed include Tyler Cloyd and possibly a “young catcher”. We will continue to follow this one.

Thompson has re-signed with Tampa Bay. (Morning Call)

ESPN’s Crasnick Says “Watch Out”

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick Tweeted last night: “”Watch out for #phillies to surprise everyone and sign (Josh) Hamilton,” said one prominent agent. A scout told me the same thing.” This Tweet was seemingly based off of Amaro’s penchant for the big splash and nothing more.

Pair of  Former ‘Pigs Ink with Rays

Baseball America’s Matt Eddy reports that former IronPig fan favorite Rich Thompson has re-signed with the Tampa Bay Rays on a Minor League deal. Thompson, 33, a Reading native, reached the Majors in 2012 after being traded for Kyle Hudson. Thompson was 2-22 with six steals in eight attempts for the Rays. Eddy is also reporting that the Rays have signed infielder, and former IronPig, Mike Fontenot to a Minor League deal as well. Fontenot hit .289/.343/.340 with the Phillies in 105 2012 PA.

Interest in Uehara Building

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun is reporting that the Orioles are interested in bringing back Phillies’ relief target Koji Uehara for 2013. Uehara had a 1.75 ERA and 10.8 K/9 IP in 36 IP for the Texas Rangers in 2012.

Phillies Sign a Catcher

Just before the news of Carlos Ruiz‘s 25-game suspension broke, Jim Salisbury Tweeted the Minor League signing of 33-year old Venezuelan catcher Humberto Quintero. Quintero will likely compete for an Opening Day roster spot with fellow catchers Steven Lerud, who cleared waivers earlier this offseason, and Sebastian Valle, who, as a member of the 40-man roster, has a small chance of making the roster out of camp. Quintero is a ten-year Major League veteran with a .234/.267/.323 triple-slash line and 16 career home runs. This signing won’t set the world on fire but Quintero has a reputation for calling good games behind the plate. He’s likely better than Lerud and it appears as Valle would need some more seasoning before hitting the Big Leagues.

Phillies Bring Back Orr

In a second Tweet, Salisbury broke the news that the Phillies have re-signed infielder Pete Orr to a Minor League deal. Orr hit .315/.327/.444 in 57 PA in 2012 for the Phillies. His biggest hit came on April 24, a bases-clearing triple against Josh Collmenter and the Diamondbacks. Orr was a semi-surprise member of the 2011 and 2012 Opening Day rosters but he has become a fixture within the Phillies organization over the last two seasons. Orr will likely start the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Is Upton heading to Atlanta?

Upton’s Interest in Atlanta “Soaring”

MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reported early this morning that B.J. Upton‘s interest in Atlanta “seemed to soar” after meeting with GM Frank Wren, manager Freddi Gonzalez, and former manager Bobby Cox. Bowman is referencing a meeting that took place over a week ago, however it is widely believed Upton may be the first of the center fielders to sign.

Madson to Angels

Jon Heyman is reporting that Ryan Madson will sign with the Angels today on a one-year pact and be their closer. Heyman reported that both of Madson’s former clubs, the Phillies and Reds, had interest in bringing him back. Madson turned down his half of a $11 million mutual option and took a $2.5 million buyout instead to become a free agent.

Seven Teams Interested in Victorino, Phils Reportedly Not One of Them

The Indians, Rangers, Giants, Yankees, Rays, Red Sox, and Reds have all reportedly shown interest in The Flyin’ Hawaiian per Jon Heyman. While the Rangers, Giants, and Rays all have presumed holes in center field to fill, the other teams of interest presumably don’t. With Shane Victorino drawing this much interest, it no longer seems like he will be any type of bargain.

Analysis: Of note, the Yankees inquired about Victorino at the trade deadline but already have a center fielder in Curtis Granderson, who is in the last year of his contract. If Victorino signs with the Yankees, and Ichiro re-signs to play right, Granderson may be the odd man out as Brett Gardner will be handling left. Granderson may be available for a song should the Yankees choose to move in a different direction.

Continue reading Hot Stove Update – Upton, Madson, Victorino

Could Fowler land in Philly?

Yesterday, the Denver Post‘s Troy Renck reported that one of the consequences of B.J. Upton signing this week was that demand would instantly increase for center fielder Dexter Fowler. Fowler is younger (26), cheaper (two more years of arbitration eligibility), and has a better career triple-slash line than Upton (.271/.364/.427 v. .255/.336/.422). Upton provides more value defensively and on the base paths while Fowler walks more; both strikeout nearly 25% of the time. While most of Fowler’s injuries that keep him out of action are not major (sprained ankles, running into walls), Upton is has been more durable than Fowler (Upton averages 627 PA/yr. v. Fowler’s 529 PA/yr. since Fowler’s first full season in 2009).

Both are pretty good players but come with their costs. Upton would have a much higher annual value but the Phillies could have him for five or more years. However, he would cost them the 16th overall pick. It is unclear what Fowler would cost in a trade, or what the 64-win Rockies would be looking for to acquire him, however, a quick check of Fowler’s Baseball-Reference page shows that three players who are statistically similar to him have been traded near their age 26 season, including one that the Phillies acquired. And the acquisition costs were lower than you might think.

Continue reading Trading Players Like Dexter Fowler

With No Door Busters to be had, the Phillies signed Fields this Black Friday after the crowds had passed.

The First Signing

The Phillies signed their first Minor League contract for the 2013 season: Josh Fields, 29, signed with the Phillies today. Fields was last seen in the Majors with the Kansas City Royals in 2010 manning the Hot Corner in just 13 games. Fields was once a promising up-and-comer, selected 18th overall by the Chicago White Sox in 2004 out of Oklahoma State, where he set passing records as a dual-sport star. Fields burst on to the scene in 2007 for the Chi Sox, hitting 23 HR in 418 PA. Injuries and the return of Joe Crede kept Fields off the Big League field in 2008 and he has since bounced around quite a bit, including a trip to Japan in 2011. Fields hit .322/.392/.488 with 13 HR for the Dodgers Triple-A  affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes, in 2012 in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League with below-average defense. Barring injury, Fields will likely start the year in Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Much like shoppers who were not phased by the lack-luster Black Friday deals this year, the Phillies did not hit it big with any bargains this year. The day is not over yet but I don’t see them being able to score the 70″ LED-TV with a 240 Hz refresh rate, with matching surround sound and 3D Blu Ray.

Ruf Earns High Praise Continue reading Hot Stove: Black Friday Edition – Ruf, Fields, CF