Amaro Signs 4-Year Extension

AMARO CLOSE TO AN EXTENSION?

According to John Finger of CSNPhilly.com, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is nearing a contract extension with the team. This comes just a day after the club officially announced the signing of manager Charlie Manuel for two more seasons.

Finger says Amaro has told people that it’s a done deal.

Opinions vary when it comes to the job Amaro has done with the Phillies. While he’s facilitated some unbelievable trades and acquisition (Halladay, Lee) he’s also made some interesting or not-so-incredible moves (Ibanez three-year deal, Howard extension).

The GM’s public persona has also come into question. Many see Amaro as smug or condescending in nature, which sort of hurts his appearance. Being around Amaro for a short amount of time, however, and you’ll see he’s a very well spoken, matter-of-fact person who likes to keep information close to the vest.

Whether you like him or you don’t, he’ll be sticking around in Philly a while longer – which is something he has undoubtedly earned.

MINOR LEAGUE CUTS MADE

Here is a list of the players who have been dropped to the minor league camp.

Assigned to minor-league camp:

Brian Bass, RHP
Eddie Bonine, RHP
Andrew Carpenter, RHP
Ryan Feierabend, LHP
Michael Schwimer, RHP
Joel Naughton, C
Tagg Bozied, 1B
Rob Quinlan, INF
Matt Miller, OF

Optioned to minor-league camp:

Justin De Fratus, RHP
Drew Naylor, RHP
JC Ramirez, RHP
Harold Garcia, INF
Cesar Hernandez, INF
Carlos Rivero, INF
Matt Rizzotti, 1B

-Freddy Galvis and Mike Stutes are two names that stand out. They are not on the list of those heading to the minors as of right now – so the Phillies must like what they see out of the shortstop and reliever. Stutes in particular has been impressive.

-Scott Mathieson stays, for now. He’s oh-so-close to making the big club, can he finally get over the hump this year? He has some great competition in Stutes and Zagurski, among other.

-Other infielders staying: Josh Barfield (who I’ll be writing about today), Pete Orr, and Delwyn Young. Young has to be considered a frontrunner for a utility position with the big club. He’s been dancing around the field all spring and the Phillies seem to like having a player who can man multiple position.

-Robb Quinlan was granted a release from the team after being cut.

AMARO UPDATE, 9:25 am

-Ruben Amaro has inked a four year pact with the Phillies. Here is the press release from the team:

Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has signed a four-year extension with the Phillies, taking him through the 2015 season, Team President David Montgomery announced today.

“Since becoming our general manager in November of 2008, Ruben has done an outstanding job,” said Montgomery .  He has been an excellent leader for our Baseball Operations personnel, surrounding himself with a very capable staff which he uses very well.  Ruben has shown great judgment in his player moves and enjoys a strong relationship with Charlie, our coaches and the players.”

Amaro, 46, has served as GM of the Phillies for the past two seasons as the team has posted the best record in the National League (190-134) and second-best among all major league clubs, trailing only the New York Yankees (198-126).  The Phillies have made the playoffs in both years, including winning the NL pennant in 2009, his first year as GM.  Also in 2009, the Phillies won Organization of the Year, an annual award from Baseball America, and Amaro was named Executive of the Year by the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association.

In two years as GM, Amaro acquired over 30 players that have appeared in the major leagues with the Phillies, including four 20-game winners: Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee (twice), Roy Oswalt and Pedro Martinez.