Winter Meetings Set With Simple Tasks

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sun, December 07, 2008 06:00 PM

Tomorrow begins the Winter Meetings.

Last year the meetings kind of limped without much movement; the Phillies did nothing during the three-day GM summit. This year, however, the meetings are in Las Vegas. This is apt — make all the gambling metaphors you can. But put that aside, and the Phils could do a few things at this year’s meetings. They’re looking for pitching, maybe an outfielder, and maybe some scattered bench pieces.

Here’s what the employed writers are saying:

Jim Salisbury — who will report from the meetings for the Inquirer — practically adds outfielder Juan Rivera to the roster. He adds that the Moyer discussions should continue, and it’s possible the Phils will sign a reliever. Finally, look for an extension for manager Charlie Manuel.

That’s something we can all agree on.

Scott Lauber, meanwhile, likes Jon Garland for the rotation among his third tier. He also thinks a reliever may be signed, mentioning Juan Cruz, David Weathers and Russ Springer. Rivera and Rocco Baldelli are the targets for left field, most likely, and internally, he thinks Asst. GM Scott Proefrock should meet with agents for arbitration-eligible players this week.

Over here, I think it’s becoming pretty simple: Pat Burrell is all but gone. Look for Juan Rivera as the left field piece, and I’m not opposed to that move. But first will be pitching, and I’m not sold on Jamie Moyer returning. Look for an offer to a third tier player such as Garland, especially as time ticks on No. 1 target Derek Lowe.

Like I said before, I don’t think the Phils need big splashes this offseason. A few solid moves (Garland, Rivera, an experienced reliever) should plug the immediate holes. And that’s what you want to do in the offseason — plug the immediate holes. Once the season runs, you see what you need and adjust. I have confidence that’s the gameplan Ruben Amaro Jr. is setting.

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45 Responses to “Winter Meetings Set With Simple Tasks”

The Dipsy Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Tim, Jon Garland made 12m last year. How much would you be willing to pay him to play here? I like Rivera in left. Thats fine. I just wanna find a taker for Myers.

The Dipsy
Chairman of the Derek Lowe in Pinstripes Foundation.
Robbi P Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I like Rivera out of the three outfielders we were looking. Knowing the phillies I say no pitcher will be signed or it will be an obscure pitcher that no one saw coming. I feel that they don’t have the money for Lowe but a Garland type person. I think if Myers has a good year this year we might trade him but I don’t see him getting moved especially after that batting performance and pitching in the playoffs.
Tim Malcolm Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I’d like to see if his price drops just a tad. Some believe it will. $10M isn’t bad per year for Garland, if he goes to that. Of course, having Moyer at $7M per is probably about the same.
Geoff Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
It seems that Rivera is the consensus, and I agree. Thats a safe, good, cheap two to three year solution to allow Michael Taylor or John Mayberry to step up and show they can make it to the Show.

I think they should move on from Lowe if nothing happens tonight. Once the Winter Meetings start, just forget about Derek Lowe..too much interference and too many other bidders driving up the price. I guess Garland would be good in the NL, so if you can pick him up soon for 8-10mm id be ok with that. He didnt have a very good year last year but he did win 18 games in the AL back to back with Chicago. Hes coming off two over 4 ERA seasons and could actually be a good get if he returns to form. Seems primed for a resurgence in the NL. The more I look at it the more I warm up to the idea. Hes much better than Adam Eaton, so no need to compare those two.
Geoff Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
For the reliever: Cruz would be nice but would cost a first round pick. Russ Springer wasnt offered arb….niether was Joe Biemel.
Tyler Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
what about milton bradley… haven’t heard his name thrown around rly by any team.. am i just missing something
Ami Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I still think they need to re sign Pat
Griffin Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Jon Garland is scary. Stay far, far away from him. Nothing like an overrated fly ball pitcher who has been outpitching his peripherals and is due to get rocked… kind of like Adam Eaton 3 years ago. I’d rather see Happ or Carrasco for less than a million dollars than Jon Garland for $10 million. Ugh.
mike mike Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Please stop saying they don’t have the money. It is a stupid statement, they just came off making about 50 million extra dollars this year. even with arb, cases unless hamel get 20 million they won’t see a big increase in payroll. With burrell, moyer, gordon, and seanez, taguchi, and others they are taking off 31 million, with the raises to Utley, Myers, Jenkins, Lidge its takes about 16 million, of the 31 so if howard goes up 5 million, hamels 5 million, victorino 3, Werth, 4,that leave them about even with last year so they would have about 20 million to sign Blanton, left field and starter.
mike mike Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
juan Rivera I hope it isn’t the guy who played for the angels. He hit 233 against left hand pitching, What a great guy to replace burrell. His obp was 245 another great stat. I can’t believe people just think to throw anyone in left and we win. God bless the phillies they have not brained wash there fans into thinking they can put anyone out there and win. The only parade this next year will be the mummers.
Geoff Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
just because you have the money still doesnt mean its ok to blow mad money on overrated players…like 16mm for bradley, or 18mm for burnett
Geoff Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
dude, really? its not even spring training…ill still go with the phillies as favorites to repeat until they show me otherwise..just because you dont go apeshit and overpay overrated players in free agency doesnt mean youre not going to win…thats insane. you put pieces together to win…sort of like they just did. joe blanton was the right move to make, so it turned out…not cc or burnett..
Philsphan Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I would much rather have Moyer back than Garland.
Mike Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Screw Garland.

He IS another Adam Eaton.
john of Albuquerque Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Garland is not another Adam Eaton. He is better but perhaps not the answer for the Phillies. I would like to see Moyer back and possibly Ty Wigginton, who plays third and left field, and has some home run power. I agree that the Phils need to manage their payroll, but at age 59, I have seen the only two world championships in Philly history. I really want more, more , more.
psujoe Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Ok, let’s think outside the box.

Sign Lowe, period. We need him and have plenty of $$$$.

We all know Howard won’t be here in a few years, won’t be worth the $$$, so plan ahead. Figure out a three team deal involving Carasco, Myers, … to get Holiday provided he can be signed to a long term deal. Beane will deal to get Carasco.

Sign, Moyer and suck up the expense for the short term.

In a year or two, trade Howard for prospects and a #3.
reddeath Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
easier said then done
psujoe Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Question for the real baseball heads. If the Phils offerred Oakland Carasco and Donald for Holliday what else would it take? I have no clue so just asking.
KM Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I like Rivera to plug the hole, although I would prefer a few other guys.

As far as pitching goes, I think we would be best off with Lowe. Garland is a solid 3, and would be a nice backup option, should he become available.
KM Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Psujoe, Carrasco and Donald are big pegs in our minor league system, so it might not be worth it for one year of Holliday. On the other hand, if we could lock him up long-term it would be a good deal.
Jeff Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
The A’s aren’t going to let him go for less than they traded for him. They traded a closer, starting pitcher and a top outfield prospect. I think in addition to your proposal of Carrasco and Donald, there would have to be a major leaguer involved. Like Werth. As much as I like Holliday and would love to see him between Utley and Howard, that is too big a price for a guy who is only signed for one year. Now, if they could get him signed……………………….
edavies7 Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Mike Mike I agree with you 100%. Too many people think that if we go into next season with this team minus Burrell we will be okay, but we wont. Every other team will get better. Mets Krod- Braves Burnett…..The Phils have the money and owe it to the fans that filled the stadium everynight last year to spend it to put the best team on the field…Get a real Left Fielder not some platoon and a real SP- not a 46year old pitcher
mike mike Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Geoff No body is saying to over pay. In fact if you read my earlier comments,then you would see that I think it’s crazy to pay lowe or burnett close to 20 million. But don’t say this francise is cash straped. It insults our intelligent. They have turned a 34 million dollar investment into 500 million or more. So why can’t they spend for a left fielder. plus what they made this post season. You can’t be serious with rivera, his numbers are terrible. And to think Werth is going to do it again with no backup plan is crazy for a team defending a title. And a team who in two years will lose a hall of fame player in howard, and probley won’t be able to sign Hamels. And in the draft has refuse to spend the money for top prospect . As I have said if they would have upped there offer to Saunders he would be our number 1-2 starter and that would be a dynamite punch to have. They ignore the international market. The neucleus of this team was a bad team drafting high, but recently they have been drafting the likes of Golson, Salvery, moss, guy who can’t play.And have terrible minor league instrutors that’s why we lost Galvin Floyd.
edavies7 Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
i Agree with you Mike Mike. We have a few small window before we start losing key players. We should go after it right now. And a platoon in left is not the answer.
Tim Malcolm Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Would like to add that as much as we laud Donald, he’s not quite a highly touted prospect by the rest of the league. His AFL performance helped, but many still view him as a super utility player. So don’t think he’s a big chip for any team.
Geoff Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
if you pay attention, i did not say its cash strapped..just because you have money doesnt mean you can go spend it wrecklessly on fraud players..thats baseically waht i said..

just because i say one things wrong you cant automatically assume i support the opposite view..
mike mike Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Tim I believe that Donald . Who was a highly touted high school kid. went to Arizona State and didn’t hit as they thought. it made a lot of people doubt this kid. But from day one in the minors he has improved each and every level. Why he didn’t do well in college is a mystery to me,but as a pro I truly believe he will be a solid player and a starter.
mike mike Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Geoff I understood it to mean that, didn’t mean to put words in your mouth. and as I stated before lowe and burnett numbers are crazy. But left field can’t be Rivera .
Manny Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Jon Garland sounds like an Eaton 2.0 (improved but not worth it)

I rather have Carrasco pitching instead of that guy.
maxhole Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
raise your hand if you think bill giles should sell his yacht and pick up one of these FA pitchers. it was a good point in saying this franchise has become a 500mm dollar investment. when steinbrenner wanted to add a player he wasn’t afraid to use his own money, same mindset could and should be used for the phils. what’s a million dollars here and there when youre lighting your cigars with hundred dollar bills?
milnesville4life Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 12:56 am
did we release eaton??? hes scheduled to make almost 8 mill and hes worth about 8 bucks.
Brooks Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 1:47 am
Eaton is still getting paid.
My buddy had an excellent idea. Let Adam Eaton work for the Phils, cleaning up the latrines, during the games….
Manny Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 10:54 am
…or make him the batboy! I’d pay to see that!
Jeff Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Who was a bigger piece of crap, Adam Eaton or Terry Mulholland?
Don M Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Terry Mulholland was the bomb
Mike B. Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Edavies7, I know we need a left fielder, but folks this is not a good year for outfielders. Burrell is looking for more money than we’re going to give him. Ibanez is a 36-year-old LHB whose numbers look decent, but over the last three years, his slugging percentage is over 100 points lower vs. LHP than vs. RHP. That and I don’t trust a guy like Ibanez who plays on a team that has no expectations and who hits against what seems to be the weaker pitching of the AL West. Adam Dunn is an all-power, no-average LHB. Ruben knows it’s not a good year for outfielders, and that’s why he’s made our already-solid starting pitching a priority.

And Griffin, what are peripherals? I’ve never heard that term before.
Griffin Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Peripherals are numbers that usually indicate how a player will do in the future. For example, line drive % for a hitter is a good indicator of how well the hitter is actually hitting the ball. Since line drives are better than pop-ups and groundballs, the higher a hitter’s LD%, the more likely he is to keep a high batting average. If a player had a .320 BA last year, but had a low LD%, that’s an indicator that the player may have gotten lucky by hitting ground balls that found a hole and that player is due for a BA regression next year.

There are many peripherals for hitters and pitchers. Jon Garland has been “outpitching” his for years, meaning that he gives up fly balls at a certain percentage which would likely mean he likely should pitch to a 5.00 ERA, but his actual ERA is lower. Many people are predicting the correction will come and that teams should watch out.
Memphis Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
What if we traded for Jeremy Hermida and put Werth in LF? Hermida is only 24/25, coming off a so-so year, especially the latter part of the year, but he’s got a lot of potential, once considered one of those can’t-miss propects. Could be a nice buy low. Intradivison deals are tough, obviously.
psujoe Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Jeff, How about Carasco and Donald to Oakland, Myers to a 3rd team, the 3rd team trades some prospects to Oakland and we get Holliday(long term deal only)? Not only would Holliday solve LF, but he’s our power when we trade Howard down the road. All this would be contingent on signing Lowe.
Don M Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
So no Carasco, no Myers, and Moyer may or may not pitch here in 2009, 2010, or ever again.. who is going to pitch for us is way more important than having Holliday in LF…
psujoe Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Don, All contingent on signing Lowe.

Hamels, Lowe, Moyer, Blantan, Happ.

We go after a #3 in 2010. I just don’t see the Phillies keeping Howard beyond 2010 maybe even 2009. We’re going to have to replace Burrells and Howard’s power. Holliday is a good fielder, can run(28/30) steals and would hit 30+ in CBP. He’s a perfect fit and would fit right behind Utley down the road. In the short term we’d be lethal with that rotation, lineup and our bull pen.
Geoff Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
First of all Oakland needs to sell tickets this year, so theyre not trading holliday. second, that trade would cripple the phillies and set them back 4 or 5 years. its an absolutely horrible idea. matt holliday is overrated, and youll see that in oakland this year.
psujoe Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Cripple the Phillies? I don’t think so. Donald’s a decent prospect, not a great prospect at a position we’re fine at for 5+ years. Holliday is a perenial .320 hitter with a good glove. He’s a huge upgrade over Burrell at the plate, in the field and on the base paths. I don’t see how having one of the best LF would cripple the organizion. Keep in mind it was contingent on a long term deal. When the Phillies deal Howard, and they will, they get back much better prospects than Donald. In short it would set up the Phillies for the nest 4-5 years.
Prieretroller Says:
December 28th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
qdgsxxxbhrdldqjdwell, hi admin adn people nice forum indeed. how’s life? hope it’s introduce branch
money Says:
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Look to your health; and if you have it, praise God, and value it next to a good conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of; a blessing that money cannot buy.

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