Phillies Nation

102 Responses to “Phillies Sign Marcus Giles To Minor League Deal”

1. NJ Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 10:32 pm

   Thumbs up Ruben, I think he’s read the market well and though the flashy high priced names aren’t there he’s adding a very respectable buffer under the core contributors and has realised the AAA team being better is vital to the franchise. They might not be the names you like but Park, Paulino, Majerwki and Giles are about as good names as you can get to compete to fill out your roster and if the minor league eligable ones end up in LV, then guys like Carrasco and Donald are all the more improved for having guys of that calibre and experience in the same clubhouse… Over the hill maybe, nevertheless good move Jnr.

2. IRONPIGPEN Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 10:59 pm

   It doesn’t do anybody any good to trying to develop players on a AAA club that can only win 55 games a season. I thought it was embarassing to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs when Jimmy Rollins was hurt, they passed over the IronPigs (Chris Woodward, Casey Smith) and took Brad Harman from AA Reading. They were right to do that, Woodward was soon cut and Smith batted a not so mighty .170 on the year. It’s obvious the Phillies are trying to avoid a repeat of last season in the International League and we here in the Lehigh Valley are glad about that!

3. Fran Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 11:07 pm

   It should be a good spring training battle between him bruntlet and donald

4. NJ Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 11:32 pm

   It really is a positive move when it comes to camp bodies, there so much competition for positions and last years support guys are looking behind them and seeing guys with a genuine shot to make the team.

   Lets see what else Amaro picks up.

5. IRONPIGPEN Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 11:32 pm

   The winner will be the Phillies!

6. Griffin Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 11:34 pm

   Amaro and the phrase “read the market well” made me chuckle.

7. Chuck P Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 11:35 pm

   This is a good move… it gives them a little bit of insurance. To start the season, we don’t have much depth. If either Dobbs or Ibanez were to get injured before Utley/Feliz are able to return, we would be in a bit of a pickle because Bruntlett can’t play two positions. We would be forced to go with Donald… you don’t really want to put all of that pressure on a kid. I mean, you want to give him a fair chance when he’s ready but you don’t want to be forced to play him if he’s not. That could be bad in the long run.

8. Eric Says:
   January 7th, 2009 at 1:31 am

   Not about Marcus Giles specifically, but I have a question bout free agent signings in general (and couldn’t find a recent post that was more on-topic .

   I’m wondering why I never hear of contracts where the length is performance based? Some have per year performance bonuses. Some have club or player options where either gets to decide at the end of the contract’s term whether to extend another year. But I’ve never heard of an ‘n’-year contract that gets extended to n+1 years depending on performance over the first period.

   Am I just not paying close enough attention, or is there some rule against that or am I missing something that makes either teams or players not interested in something like that?

   Obviously, players would have the incentive to make the performance metrics as low as possible, and the team to have them higher, but that’s what negotiation is for. Especially for really expensive, aging, players (eg Manny) where a team’s biggest worry is an injury leaving them with a huge payroll gap for years. I’d think at least some of those players would be agreeable to something that basically says, “3 years, or 4 if you’re still healthy, starting, and keep up a reasonable batting average.”

   Hope this isn’t considered thread hijacking… If so, then I propose we do the above with Marcus Giles, how about that? Just kidding..

9. Phillies Phan SC Says:
   January 7th, 2009 at 1:34 am

   I saw this guy play – bring him on!

10. jan Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:39 am

    sick move!!

11. hamels' left hand Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:56 am

    Utley’s hip or not, I still think Giles has about a 2% chance of being on the opening day 25. He’s done. Cooked. Out of baseball in ‘08. Rapidly declining OPS+ in the two years prior to that.

12. Jim Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 2:41 am

    anyone see the daily show last night and the stab at the mets. great stuff

13. Groty Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 2:54 am

    Eric, that’s where Option years come in

14. Mike B. Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 5:59 am

    29 and almost out of baseball? He used to be really good – I remember he always killed us when he was with the Braves. Was he on steroids, or did he get hurt, or what?

    But then again, I said that Werth was washed up too. Good things happen when I’m wrong. Those last two years of declining OPS+ happened when a) he didn’t want to bat leadoff with Atlanta and b) he had to bat at Petco Park with the Padres. And he had no one else to hit with him then. Really interesting blog that highlights this stuff at http://mopupduty.com/index.php/marcus-giles-released-what-happened/

    So a turnaround is possible. But if not, it’s not like we’re stuck with him all season – I hope. Basically, a classic scrap-heap move that we’d see from Pat Gillick that could yet band us a much-needed right-handed bat off the bench.

15. IRONPIGPEN Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 6:46 am

    I hope the guy is not another piece of junk like Chris Woodward.

16. Geoff Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 10:53 am

    This guy will be a great addition…to the Iron Pigs. I doubt hell make the phillies to start the year.

17. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 11:30 am

    This is AMAZING.. I was fully expecting to come on here and read all kinds of comments about how this was a terrible move and Amaro sucks, etc.. Thank you guys for starting my day on a positive note!

    All this is, is some insurance… Bruntlett could play 2b while Utley is out, but that limits what you can do if someone else goes out for a stretch.. its just a move to add some depth.. Giles comes from a baseball family, has natural talent, and either was juicing or just didn’t work hard enough to stay in the game… but he’s got experience, and I believe we are 100x more likely to see him here than Jason Donald

18. phill these nutz Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 11:30 am

    GREAT PICKUP GUYS……..AWSOME AWSOME PICKUP. 229 IN 07, AND THEN LOST A JOB IN COLORADO, A HITTERS BALLPARK BY THE WAY…I LOVE THIS DEAL ; )

19. Geoff Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 11:43 am

    this is one of those situations where you bombard the position with 3,4,5 possible guys to fill it and see what happens in spring training. one prospect, a backup, a veteran depth chart signing, etc. giles would be a nice mentor for people in AAA too and make it a more competetive team if he doesnt make the big club.

20. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 11:50 am

    phills these nutz… (yea, that’s right, with a “z” at the end). Is a Mets fan I guess??

    Shame we couldn’t get the great LUIS CASTILLO as a 2b, he’s a hell of player, and hardly steals any money at all

21. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 11:55 am

    I read yesterday that the Dodgers were still talking to Manny (eventhough they pulled the 2 yr/$45 M offer..) I never knew they pulled it off the table.. but assuming he goes to the Dodgers or the SF Giants.. where does that leave other guys.

    Abreu and Dunn are still out there.. I think Abreu would be a great fit for the Angels, …I thought he would go to Oakland because they value his high OBP%, but it looks like they’re getting Giambi to come back?

    Anyone have any input of the remaining Free Agents we haven’t talked about much?

22. phill these nutz Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    you know what Don, you absolutly right, as a Met fan i can truely say….Luis Castillo sucks, but at least he bats 249…lol…oh wait, i cant compare 2008 stats cuz giles wasnt even playing in 08…sorry, 07 castillo batted 296, while giles batted 229…but seriously, Giles days are behind him, and you guys just signed him to a minor league contract so i wouldnt even get your panties to wet on that one, he’s just a rental till Utley gets back..so i wouldnt sweat that signing..
    and yes i am a Met fan!!! and a GIANTS FAN TOO…..; )

23. Geoff Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:05 pm

    The nationals might use some of our tax money to go after adam dunn. i think he makes sense for them actually. i think the giants might get desperate and make a big offer for manny.

    i keep reading on mlbtr that the guy who runs that particular site is amazed that no team has given derek lowe 4 years 70+ mm yet.

    like: hey, are you freaking kidding me? thats a HUGE amount of money to give one guy. even desperate teams like the mets and braves havent done that yet, and thats telling you something.

24. Griffin Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:22 pm

    Giambi signs for one year 4.5 million. Amaro really misread the corner outfield/DH market when he signed Ibanez.

25. phill these nutz Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:23 pm

    i really dont see lowe getting 4 years at that amount, that guy is a realible starter and all, but i dont see teams giving a guy in his mid 30’s a 4 year deal…im sure he will get two years with options…but no team is gonna give him 4 years…

26. Geoff Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:23 pm

    giambi cant play corner outfield….he would be utterly useless here. he would be the flat out worst signing they could possibly make.

27. Geoff Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:27 pm

    two years with an option is perfect for lowe…even if you wanna bump up the avg salary a bit just to get the two years, tahts ok. btu you gotta be crazy to guarantee 4, even 3 guaranteed years is too much in my opinion

28. Phil Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:28 pm

    I know this is totally off topic, and it may have been posted already, but I heard that today on 610 Phillies fans were calling saying they hope the Eagles lose on Sunday, then were saying how they think Eagles fans are so obnoxious and arrogant, and how the Eagles don’t deserve a championship. They are also concerned about if the Eagles win they’d go back to being the teams city and the Phillies championship will be in the shadow of the Eagles superbowl win. I agree. I thought I was the only Phillies fan that hates the Eagles and their fans. Not like the avg fan that likes all Philly sports teams, but their “fans.” I’m sure you all know exactly what I’m talking about. I also hate the teams front office and management. I have nothing against the players and would be happy for them if they won, but that’s about it.

29. Phil Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:30 pm

    cities team* my bad on that typo.

30. phill these nutz Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:33 pm

    Eagles Fans are the worse man….lol

31. Griffin Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:35 pm

    Geoff, Ibanez can’t play corner outfield either. I don’t think people understand how truly awful a fielder Ibanez is. He’s a DH, just like Burrell was last year.

32. phill these nutz Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:35 pm

    let me clarify something…Eagles fans are thworse, but the eagles are a good team playing good football right now, and trust me, the Giants know this, and the Giants will be ready….

33. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

    I’m a Philadelphia sports fan… with the Phillies as my #1, Eagles #2, and Flyers #3… but I get hyped for each big game, and playoff run.. I HATED when there used to be Eagles chants at Phillies games, but I heard from numerous sources that there were “LET’S. GO. PHIL-LIES!” chants at Eagles games this year, so that’s pretty cool..

    And i’ve been at Phillies games where they posted Flyers scores and the crowd went nuts..or NUTZ, depending on how you spellz dat.

    I want the Eagles to win, I’m just tired of the whole McNabb got booed on draft-day, Reid never answers questions, etc.. they are a joke, but I like watching football, and they are my team, so I want to see them win..

34. Geoff Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    Im not going to root against the Eagles…it would be nice if they won. However. they do EVERYTHING the complete opposite than the way youre normally supposed to do it. They pass when you should run, run when you should pass, go for it when you should punt and vice versa. they act like they won the superbowl. and their loyal contingent of the citys fans keeps selling out games even though they havent come close to winning in years. since 2004 they havent even looked like they have a prayer of winning it all. and i cant really support a team that behaves like that. if they win tahts great.

    their fans, many of them, actively root against other philadelphia teams and only support the eagles. thats disgraceful. they are by far the dumbest, worst fans in sports. not the “philadelphia” fan, but the “die hard eagles-only” fan.

    they complain and complain and complain but keep pouring their paychecks into that team year in and year out with no respect from the front office in return and no parades to show for it.

    as distant as the phillies front office may seem at times, they rewarded their fans with a championship parade and they keep ticket prices at a somewhat reasonable level.

35. Matt Kwasiborski Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:41 pm

    It is quite surprising that 2 of the top players of the 2004 Red Sox are still free agents. Players in their mid-30s are having a hard time finding deals (unless you are Ibanez) that are suitable to them. I thought Manny would sign and then set the market. Instead Ibanez, Burrell and Bradley have all signed before him. Personally, I would love to see either Manny or Lowe come here for 3 years max and keep our core (starting to age soon) in major contention.

36. Matt Kwasiborski Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:41 pm

    Oh, and I hate Marcus Giles too but it is a solid signing for insurance reasons.

37. Geoff Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    well if youre so certain ibanez cant field and will play 1B, then maybe theyre secretl;y trying to trade ryan howard (which makes no sense) to clear room for other things on teh payroll…..are there any secret trades that yorue not telling us about there?

38. Geoff Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

    manny hasnt signed because any team that gives him the deal hes looking for is flat out stupid.

39. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

    Ibanez may be an awful fielder.. but he’s a better hitter than Burrell so that move is an upgrade no matter how you look at it.

    Just happened to be looking at the MLB player rankings by position this morning.. I though Cole Hamels would be top 5 for SP, but he’s actually #8 (santana, sabathia, lincecum, webb, halladay, haren, peavy, hamels, lackey, beckett in the top10)

    OF… Ryan Braun is in the top spot (MVP in waiting)… Victorino is #29, Raul Ibanez is #34, Werth is #43…. Pat Burrell is #53

    Rollins is the #3 SS (Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, Rollins)

    Lidge is the #6 Closer??? (Papelbon, Nathan, F-Rod, Rivera, Soria, Lidge)

    Some of the lists I really agree with, some I think are awful

40. Georgie Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    Phil, I consider myself an Eagles, Flyers and Phillies fan, I don’t see why you can’t follow all of them and wish them all well. There’s always going to be that contingent of fans that are unruly and obnoxious, espcially in football (maybe too many guys in one place taking 60-oxo-extreme). But the Eagles players themselves have worked hard to get this far without much, if any, help from Andy and the FO. Donovan practically BEGGED for some offensive pieces this past offseason, to no avail. I hope the Eagles kick the Giants’ butts on Sunday, I would love to see Brian Dawkins in particular win a Superbowl before he retires.

41. Justin Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    If nothing else he adds another bat to Lehigh Valley, who actually seems to have a half decent team brewing. Hopefully Giles can muster up some sort or season like he had in 03 and 04 maybe he just needs a competitive team to give him the edge back that he lost.

42. Jonathan Atwood Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    Giles is a huge pickup as a legitimate bench guy. I like what Amaro has done so far.

    On a serious note, we over at http://www.hotstovephilly.com have started an online petition to get JC Romero reinstated. We urge every Phillies fan, as well as every sports fan, to head over to http://www.hotstovephilly.com/2009/01/06/reinstate-romero/ and follow the link to the petition.

    We have to stand up for Romero, the Games 3 and 5 winner of last year’s World Series, and the best reliever in that bullpen outside of Lidge. Lets show him what the PhilliesNation is made of!

43. Geoff Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    theyve also been hoarding relivers for that LHV bullpen

44. Griffin Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:53 pm

    No, Ibanez will play a crappy leftfield for the Phillies and hit 5th in the lineup after Utley and Howard, ensuring that Howard will never face a RHP in the late innings.
    Burrell signing a two year deal and Giambi signing a one year deal make the Ibanez signing look worse and worse.

45. phill these nutz Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:54 pm

    don, now why are you so concern with my “NUTZ”??

46. Phil Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    I’m not saying Phillies fans shouldn’t cheer for the Eagles, when I say Eagles fans I mean those psycho path die-hard birds fans that chant E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES everywhere they go and call 610 in the middle of May to talk about the Eagles. They are all insane and are part of the reason Philadelphia sports fans are so hated on.

47. Phil Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

    Why is everyone making such a big deal about the Giambi signing and comparing it to the Ibanez signing? Ibanez is a better fielder than both Giambi and Burrell combined, and Giambi is a washed up ex roids using has been.

48. Griffin Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    Ibanez received an extra $25 million guaranteed than Giambi did. Giambi’s contract is good value, whereas Ibanez’s contract is not.

49. Geoff Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    dude, why do you even care about giambi? hes TOTALLY worthless to this team.

    also…hitting ibanez 5th is flat out INSANE. theres no way. the only real place for him in teh lineup with a healthy utley is 6th.

    rollins – vic – utley – howard – werth – ibanez – feliz – ruiz – p

    theyve limited what their lineup can be with the ibanez signing, but hes still a better contact hitter than burrell. so i dont really understand what the problem is here. victorino is at CF and hell cover ibanezs flank because he knows werth can cover his flank too. they may have paid a bit too much…but milton bradley is a turd, burrell is slow and inconsistent, giambi isa piece of steroidal trash. adam dunn is the same thing as howard except not nearly as good. texeira wanted too much money, abreu is a no go. i mean, there arent too many other REAL options out there who are better fits for this team. they tried to trade for derosa who wouldve fit better but it didnt fly..

50. phill these nutz Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    on a side note, Don M, are these the 09 MLB.Com Fantasy rankings?

51. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    Because ANYTHING spelled with a “Z,” instead of an “S” ….is fresh to def.

    You are one true baller, for sho.. and you pimp mad bizitchez.

    Holler at me, dawg.

52. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    Yea.. which don’t mean much, I know becauz every year somebody in the top 10 ends up ranked like 150th at the end of the year, and somebody ranked in the 80s or 90s ends up in the top 5.

    I think Werth is going to have a MONZTER year.. and if Happ iz a starter, he’ll have a hell of a season too

53. Griffin Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    Of the players you listed, the Phillies chose the oldest player and the only one offered arbitration and then overpaid for him.
    I don’t hate Ibanez, but I do hate that he’s the only one of all the players that you mentioned that will get a 3rd year guaranteed. Other teams are considering the Ibanez deal the “outlier” as an over-market value contract (much the same as Carlos Silva’s contract).
    In Ruben Amaro’s first free agent signing, he misjudged the market. He’s off to a bad start, no matter how much people try to talk themselves into it.

54. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:08 pm

    Ibanez will probably hit 3rd when Utley is out.. and 6th when Utley comes back.. Werth will hit behind Howard.. especially with LHP becuas Werth KILLZ them.. Ibanez is going to surprise a lot of people in Philadelphia.. I can’t believe that people don’t know enough about him to realize what a good pickup he was..

    And the same people complaining about overpaying him, and his age, and the same people that want us to sign Lowe for 13 years, and $452 Million

55. Phil Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:08 pm

    I agree 100% with Geoff. Did we overpay for Ibanez? Yes. But they got the guy they wanted, and I support them for it. A market was shaping up for Ibanez and Amaro jumped the gun a little fast. I don’t blame him, though. If he didn’t jump the gun then maybe the Angels, Braves, Cubs, or god forbid the Mets get him. That would have screwed us a lot. Ibanez is better than Burrell. Geoff, I have a better line up though.

    Vic
    Utley
    Rollins
    Howard
    Werth
    Ibanez
    Feliz
    Ruiz

    or switch Rollins and Vic because you know Rollins might cry about not hitting lead off.

56. Griffin Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    on a side note, Giambi had a higher OPS than Ibanez did last year (.856 to .836). I’m not saying that he’s as good as Ibanez, but is Ibanez really $25 million better than Giambi?

57. phill these nutz Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    lmao, thats pretty funny and ignorent all in one…

58. Phil Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    Wow Griffin…did you really just compare Ibanez and Silva? Is it because they both play(ed) for the M’s? Seriously? The Ibanez signing isn’t NEARLY as bad as the Silva’s signing.

59. Geoff Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    werth will replace burrells numbers i completely agree. hell hit 5th and go for 30 HR and 90 RBI if he stays healthy. mark it down….

    amaro acted fast and overpaid for ibanez, but that doesnt mean we shouldnt have the player…the contract is inflated by one year and a few million probably, yes, but that doesnt make it a bad signing. even if its not the best contract…

    as far as moyer goes, i agree there though…he jumped the gun on moyer. lowe and MANY others still arent signed and moyers signing has Clogged up the rotation with a spot maybe better suited for lowe or someone else. but if they keep happ then he will do very well…now, if you sign lowe you have to go and move myers…because moyer is stuck there and happ is young and cheap so hes not going anywhere..

60. Geoff Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    carlos silva is a TOTAL junk, trash pitcher that basically won teh lottery…

61. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    He didn’t misjudge the market… he jumped to get the player he wanted instead of waiting and watching Ibanez go to the Cubs or the Angels.

    Ibanez wanted to come here, and we wanted him, so we signed him…

    If Dominic Brown is ready to play in 2011, we can move Ibanez in the final year to an AL team where Ibanez can be a DH until he’s 40… he credits Edgar Martinez for teaching him how to prepare and take great shape of hiz body to keep in playing shape.. watch Ibanez hit the game winner on Opening Night and then tell me what size Ibanez jersey you bought

62. Phil Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

    I think another part of the problem is a lot of teams are screwed from this economic crisis but the Phillies aren’t because they just won a World Series, so they just went out there and threw some money around to get the players they wanted. Kinda sucks, but at least they did what they had to do.

63. Geoff Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

    i agree about utley hitting second from now on…but for some reason manuel always hits him third so i left it liek that, even though you dont want to go L-L in teh middle of your order…

64. Phil Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:15 pm

    “watch Ibanez hit the game winner on Opening Night and then tell me what size Ibanez jersey you bought”

    Don M, that actually made me laugh out loud. Kudos

65. Phil Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm

    Your best overall hitter should hit 3rd which is Utley unfourtantely. They should just put Rollins or Victorino in the 3 hole though. They’d break up the line up nicely.

66. Griffin Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm

    I wasn’t comparing Ibanez to Silva, I was just comparing the fact that teams are basically ignoring those contracts when it comes to signing similar players.

    Ibanez “wanted” to sign with the Phillies because they gave him 3 years when he’s already 36.

    Ibanez will do fine for the first two years, but he’s not $14 million dollars better (and a first round pick) better than Burrell. Amaro misjudged the market with Ibanez and Moyer.

67. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm

    Utley is flat-out the best hitter on the team.. and you hit your best hitter 3rd..

    I would like to see Vic and Rollins flip 1-2 though..

    Vic, Rollins, Utley, Howard, Werth, Ibanez, Feliz, Ruiz, Chan Ho Park..

68. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:24 pm

    right Phil….. I was FULLY expecting to be in arguements today with people bashing the Phillies for pickup up Giles.. because I had to do it when they got Blanton, Eyre, Ibanez, Park.. etc…

    ANY signing gives you a chance.. maybe its just to add depth, maybe a guy surprises and makes the bench, the bullpen, or plugs in for someone that needs a DL trip.. I liked Burrell as much as the next guy, but really he wasn’t that good… and to all the people that wanted the Phillies to offer Burrell arbitration, do you still feel that way?? We would have been paying him $16M this season.. cause no way he loses money after hitting 33 HR and 85 RBIs… even though his average isn’t good, and he slumps worse than the Mets do

69. Griffin Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:26 pm

    I was one of the people who wanted to offer Burrell arbitration and in hindsight, I was wrong. I still think they should have re-signed Burrell for two years at $8 per rather than Ibanez, but it is what it is.

    If anyone reads Bill Simmons, Marcus Giles is a member of the Reggie Cleveland all-stars.

70. Phil Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:27 pm

    I backed up the Blanton trade, but thought we shouldn’t have gave up Cardenas for him, I also backed up the Eyre signing 100%.

    I’d rather have Burrell back at $16 million over 2 years, but at the same time, I realize that Amaro just wanted to let him go. There was no interest in him at all. As far as Ibanez goes, he’ll be playing 1B in 2011. Michael Taylor or Dominic Brown will play LF and Howard will be traded.

71. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    I think Cardenas will be good, but not great… because that is what I think… and how much good starting pitching costs on the open market.. Blanton, to me, was a great move.

    I think with Burrell just the fact that they felt the need to replace him in the 7th all the time shows that they think he just doesn’t have it anymore… they viewed him as a DH, and I guess so did every other team.. and that is what he signed to play. You really can’t blame them for letting him go.. I’ll root for the Rays all year long, and against every team besides the Phillies.. I hope Burrell hits 30 Hr, and drive in 100.. but I don’t see that happening..

72. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    For what its worth… Has anyone actually seen Donald play… I’ve only seen him on tv in the All-Star Futures game.. where he looked like a solid player, but you can’t tell much from one game… I think he had a throwing error that game, but also made two nice turns on DP balls from SS

73. phill these nutz Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    even though his average isn’t good, and he slumps worse than the Mets do? cmon don, your classier then that, show it Champ..

74. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    for shizzle

75. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    And shouldn’t it be:

    “Phill Deez Nutz” …..???

76. Chuck P Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    It’s spelled ignorant… this thread has 5 or 6 tangents. Here are my $0.02:

    Castillo sucks but he’s your starter… Giles is merely a stopgap backup 2B until May, when our starter returns. You know, the best 2B in baseball (where is Castillo on that list?)

    Ibanez is an upgrade over Burrell… we love Pat but Ibanez is better without question. The only downside is that he’s LH. In this market, I think that Ibanez was going to be the first FA corner OF signed whether he came here or went somewhere else. Teams are not interested in high salary demands… we probably overpaid but in the end we got our guy and we’ll be better because of it.

    I’m a Steelers fan. I root for the Eagles unless they’re playing the Steelers but I will say that, in comparison to other cities, Eagles fans are ignorant and the front office is pompous… I’m from northern PA and I can tell you that outside of Philadelphia, there isn’t much of an Eagles fan base because people can’t relate to the Eagles… the reputation is what it is and sometimes it’s blown out of proportion but I will tell you that it’s different watching games in Pittsburgh… you don’t get beer dumped on you if you’re not a Steelers fan. I heard a great comment this morning on 610; since the last Eagles championship, the other teams have won 6 total championships (2 per team)… one city, one team, one dream MY ASS. That front office needs to wake up and realize that they’re not even the “gold standard” in their own city let alone the NFL. If it takes a playoff beating to do that, then maybe we should be rooting for a loss.

77. Griffin Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    I appreciate the irony of someone called “phill these nutz” pleading for another person to show more class.

78. phill these nutz Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    ; ) good job

79. phill these nutz Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    its actually fo shizzle

80. phill deez nutz Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    yea, your right…thanks man

81. Chuck P Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    Fo sheezy…

82. David W Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:49 pm

    lmao….you guys are cool man, i love it. Im going to change my name now…

83. Don M Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    Tiger Woods on the Chapelle show says it, “FOR shizzle”… I KEEP IT REAL!

    Chuck P…. I root for the Stillers cause my mom is from Pittsburgh, and my little old Irish grandmother was a HUGE Steelers fan.. She never missed her “Stillers” on TV. Whenever they aren’t playing each other, I want Pittsburgh to win, and I wouldn’t be heartbroken if we lost to the Steelers in the SuperBowl one year

84. Chuck P Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:53 pm

    81 comments for a post to announce the signing of Marcus Giles… gotta love it.

    Our lineup will likely be:
    Vic
    Rollins
    Utley
    Howard
    Ibanez
    Werth
    Feliz
    Ruiz

    I don’t think they’ll care about the lefties… Ibanez is a run producer. Given the opportunity, he’ll produce runs and I don’t think that you can overlook that. I love having Vic and Rollins back to back but they batted Werth 2nd a lot. We’ll just have to wait and see.

85. David W Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    lol…you sure do keep it real my brother…
    Chuck P, i really think you guys will handle the Charges this wknd, good luck. am i the only one who things the Ravens will beat the Titans? And i really have a weird weird feeling that the cards are going to upset the panthers.

86. NJ Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    Burrell at 16/2 wasn’t going to happen, the Phillies original offer was off the table or he would have taken it running with the way the market was going. Ibanez’s deal set the market and had Amaro not set the market someone else would have, he was always going to be the first everyday outfielder signed. The Phillies have done their homework on his defence enough to know he’ll be fine otherwise the deal wouldn’t have been made, these guys aren’t stupid but anyway Ibanez is off subject (and the Giambi deal isn’t relevant so is Blanton (paid a lot but it was less than he was going to cost the previous off-season and it was the definition of a deal working out).

    Giles is a good deal whether he makes the major league roster or not, he may be toast but he’s a presence that makes the organisation better. Amaro has added fringe elements of a much higher calibre than was there the previous years. You’ve got to think a guy like Donald is going to benefit from looking to his left and seeing a bonifide pro whether he’s toast or not. There’s such a difference between the minor league veterans trying to make it to the show and those major league veterans trying to get back to where they were.

    I can’t believe the cynisism here sometimes over every little deal because there’s displeasure the big moves haven’t been made, you look around the league and pretty much every high profile deal has a player filling one of many holes on that team which is why the Mets off-season is overrated since your always going to look better when your being active whether or not its the reality.

    Like Moyer or not he’s here for more than his arm, the Phils aren’t banking on a repeat but they are expecting that Moyer’s presence in the clubhouse will pay off with the other guys. Giles isn’t on that level anymore but same principle applies.

87. Chuck P Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    Classic episode… wish Chapelle had not found his conscience.

88. Chuck P Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    Agree with you 100%, NJ.

    Just curious, NJ, are you from abroad?

89. NJ Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    Yep is my accent showing…?

90. Mike B. Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 2:15 pm

    I’m a Philly fan and I love the Eagles, but I my love for them only goes so far as the players. Not Andy. Not the front office. I try to defend Eagles fans because they are fellow fans, but a lot of their actions are inexcusable. I think part of the reason they’re so nuts, though, is that Philadelphia has been a football town in recent memory because over the past couple of decades, the Eagles have been contenders (Buddy Ryan era, early Ray Rhodes, Andy Reid) while the Phillies had 1993, 2007, 2008, and a whole lot of mediocrity, Tito, and Ed Wade in between those years. And the Eagles have contended more but hasn’t won it all. Boston, even though they won with the Pats and the Celtics, wasn’t really satisfied until the Red Sox won (so said a “Time” article).

    Chuck, I go to school out in Pittsburgh and last fall, I watched the preseason game last year between the Eagles and Steelers. I got a lot of crap for wearing a Dawkins jersey, which I thought was just typical Pittsburgh fans hating on Philadelphia. But the truth is, I get a lot more crap for being an Eagles fan than I got for either wearing a Phillies hat at the Phillies-Pirates game last April or for being a Flyers fan. You’re right about the “gold standard” crap. Honestly, I might not have a lot of love for Pittsburgh fans because of their anti-Philly bias, but I can see why they hate Eagles fans. I have a lot of respect for the Steelers organization, which I think is the real gold standard in the NFL, because the Cowboys have always been a bit obnoxious and arrogant.

91. Mike B. Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    I see where Chuck P saw that, NJ. You speak and write with the king’s English; “defence,” “organisation,” and “calibre” gives away your U.K. roots.

    I also like the Giles move because, if he works out, he can be our utility RH infielder, which frees Bruntlett up for being our RH utility outfielder (although I’d still like to see Gabe Kapler signed because he’s played all right field positions,but that probably won’t happen because he’s coming off a shoulder injury). If it works out, this also means that we won’t have to rush up Jason Donald to serve as our RH utility infielder and give him another year to develop in case we decide not to keep Feliz next year.

92. Chuck P Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    NJ – the way that you spell things and some of the terms that you use. Your posts are very intelligent.

    Mike B- one thing that I have noticed is that Steelers fans in general dislike Eagles fans far worse than Eagles fans dislike Steelers fans… the pendulum does not swing both ways. I can imagine that being an Eagles fan in Pittsburgh is tough. I’ve never understood why native Steelers fans hate the Eagles the way that they do, however, when the Eagles fans don’t like someone, they treat them far worse than what you’re going to get in Pittsburgh (from the Stillers fans). I’m a unique case because I grew up in Philadelphia but developed a love for the Steelers from my die hard uncles… they live for football, bleed black and gold and could care less about any other sport. I love this city and I love everything Philadelphia so of course I’m going to root for my city… my dream is to see an Eagles/Steelers Super Bowl.

93. NJ Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    Yep guilty as charged and thanks Chuck, just like to chip in some views rather than arbitrary abuse otherwise I’d feel compelled to trade my Phillies cap in for a Mets one.

94. Mike B. Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 2:48 pm

    Chuck P, that idea absolutely terrifies me. That would probably split Pitt’s campus apart. Most of the students here are either Eagles fans or Steelers fans. Some of my best friends are Steelers fans. I do agree with what you say about the difference between Eagles and Steelers fans, though. One of the things that really surprised me was the hatred Steelers fans have towards Eagles fans – what I sensed towards the Steelers from back home was indifference.

    If such a Super Bowl was anything like their Week 3 matchup, though, it would be a hell of a game.

95. NJ Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 2:55 pm

    Would be a really scary Superbowl for both sides. Have you noticed all 4 remaining AFC teams run a 3-4 D, always get a little nervous when our boys match-up against those teams…

96. metsblow4show Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    Mike B., I agree with you 100% about signing Gabe Kapler. I brought his name up in here right after they signed Ibanez, as the righthanded hitting outfielder they need. We can get him cheap and he is a Philly type player who likes to get his uniform dirty and is a good clubhouse guy. He’d be a perfect fit.

97. clktwr14 Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 6:19 pm

    Don M, first of all, even if Raul Ibanez hit a 162 HRs this year I will never, ever buy his Phillies jersey, because no matter what,people believe Pat the Bat was never offered a contract here from Rueben Amaro JR, I captialize that because he is not his father and his father is still living, the Phantom ownership wanted a Latino GM, and they screwed over not just a loyal player, but also a loyal employee, Mike Arbuckle.

    Phil, you’re right the Eagles fans are the worse, the Phillies win the division and you hear that G ) D Dam Eagles chant at the game, and I do not respect the ownership, coach/front office or Quarterback, of the Eagles, Jeffrey Lurie has no respect for the former teams or players, Andy Reid doesn’t know his arse from a hole in the ground about coaching football or raising kids, and Donovan McNabb, the new Eric Lindros in Philadelphia.

98. Phillies Phan SC Says:
    January 8th, 2009 at 5:25 am

    Crap, I was thinking BRIAN Giles of the Padres… My bad. Not looking so nice now…

99. Brooks Says:
    January 9th, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    Marcus Giles is probably not that bad of a pickup. Last year he was injured, the year before he hit a career low of .229. Other than that as a starting 2nd baseman for the Braves, at only 5′8″ and 180 lbs, he hit some hrs and a nice amount of doubles.
    Take out 2007, his career average at about .285- what do we need for a temporary replacement for Chase – this will do fine.

100. Justin Says:
     February 27th, 2009 at 7:43 pm

     The Phillies suck. I’m just throwing that out there.

101. Dan L Says:
     February 27th, 2009 at 7:53 pm

     Gotta love those New York Mets, though. They don’t have a history of sucking

102. Justin Says:
     February 27th, 2009 at 9:42 pm

     I suppose, I’m pretty sure they’re awfully gay too, though.

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