Amaro: “Development is important, winning is more important”

The Reading Fightin’ Phils hosted the Phillies Winter Caravan tonight. Among the guests of honor: 2012 Eastern League MVP Darin Ruf , Reading alum Justin De Fratus, and Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. Amaro, who just an hour and change earlier announced the signing of Delmon Young in Philadelphia, made the trip to Reading and spoke to reporters.

“Development is important, winning is more important,” was perhaps Amaro’s most eye-brow raising quote when asked if signing Young would allow them to ease younger players into Major League playing time. Amaro stated that Young will only play right field for the Phillies, citing internal Phillies reports and Young’s desire to do so as reasons. Young has not played right field since 2007.

Other points of interest:

• Amaro has received positive reports regarding the health of Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley. Amaro said Halladay and Kyle Kendrick have begun throwing bullpen sessions in Florida
• All Phillies outfielders currently on the active roster will have a shot to crack the Opening Day Roster, including Rule 5 selection Ender Inciarte, who Amaro said “is a guy who will be in the mix; we will take a look at him and see what we got”
• Amaro is very confident about the Phillies bullpen headed into 2013, is excited about the plethora of young arms they have, and believes they will be near the top should Mike Adams perform “anywhere near where he was last year”