Getting packed up. (Photo: MLB.com)
With snow falling in some parts of the northeast and, yes, even Virginia Beach it seems like no better day for truck-filling day. That’s right guys it’s time to fill the truck and get it on its way to Clearwater. With only six days until pitchers and catchers report, the 2012 season is sneaking up fast.
Inside the truck there will be thousands of baseballs and hundreds of packs of sunflower seeds. Along with the batting gloves, bubble gum and dixie cups will also be the dream of another World Championship. And hats off to Ruben Amaro Jr. for doing his part in putting together team after team in order to contend with.
2008 was great, and Amaro and the rest of the front office have been continuously trying to find that same magic to raise another flag in Philadelphia. This past week more names, some familiar and some not, have been mentioned with the Phillies.
A lingering pain in my baseball side these past couple seasons has been Joe Blanton. I apologize if you are a fan of Kentucky Joe, Cheeseburger Blanton or whatever you call him but he has overstayed his welcome here in Philadelphia. Rumors have been swirling about Amaro and Co. searching for a suitor to take Blanton off their hands in order to free up some money for Roy Oswalt. Surprise, surprise no one is jumping at the punch.
If this does go down like they want, odds are the Phillies would have to eat a lot of the $10.5 million Blanton is owed. Now its long been the ideal situation for the check writers to not have to pay into the luxury tax; which is not to say they won’t under the right circumstances. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement is set at $178 million and if the Phillies make a play for Oswalt they will most likely cross that threshold.
In case you are wondering how the Phillies fall into the CBA, Pat looks at the current salaries for this upcoming season and talks about the rumors from Jayson Stark about the Blanton/Oswalt flip flop.
The start of Phillies Nation TV was an amazing thing. Bringing you 10 minutes a month of camera time talking Phillies and baseball was a dream come true for this all-Phillies blog. Apparently it wasn’t enough. Service Electric’s 2 Sports based out of Lehigh Valley has stepped in and offered up a new partnership with PN enabling us to bring you a 30 minute show three times a week to Allentown and surrounding areas. This would never have been possible without our great readers so we thank you! For more about 2 Sports and viewing areas check out the full scoop.
So as the truck is being packed up for the trip south it is time for you to bust out the calendars and plan your own trips! Allow us at Phillies Nation to recommend some destinations for you. We have trips to Clearwater, Pittsburgh, DC, and Baltimore ready to go. Get to planning!
Go Phillies!
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