Phillies Nation

72 Responses to “Update: Schneider Signs with the Phils, Team Eyes Smoltz”

1. Andrew Says:
   December 1st, 2009 at 12:43 pm

   I actually feel pretty good about Ruiz’s days off now.

2. bfo_33 Says:
   December 1st, 2009 at 1:01 pm

   Coste is a great story, and appears to be a real stand-up guy, I wish him well. With that said, he was a back-up catcher with a slow, but decent bat. Once the bat left, it was time to upgrade. Schneider is the perfect back-up to Ruiz, decent bat and a good defensive catcher. Hope he can stay healthy, catch 35 games or so agaisnt tough righties, give Ruiz a rest. Also gives the latititude to start Dobbs more, and still have a left handed bat on the bench. A nice signing, fills two holes.

3. Geoff Says:
   December 1st, 2009 at 1:05 pm

   Im going to go ahead and pat myself on the back for suggesting this idea last week in the forum. This is a good move. They got him for two years, totaling 3M. Thats a little cheap, and he was willing to accept the backup role. AWESOME under the radar signing. I feel good about the backup catcher position now, he is also left-handed at the plate.

4. Philsfan111 Says:
   December 1st, 2009 at 1:27 pm

   Talk about an easy out in the lineup, Schneider was horrible last year with the Mets, and I really don’t expect a lot out of him, not loving this signing

5. GWFightinsFan Says:
   December 1st, 2009 at 1:27 pm

   I like it, I like it a lot. Also, let’s not forget he’s been known as a Phillie-killer over the years, so we keep him away from the Mets or some other rival team. Now, to work on 3rd base and pitching….

6. Don M Says:
   December 1st, 2009 at 1:41 pm

   Schneider was hurt all year last year …

   that would be like saying that Dobbs sucks based only on last year, and ingnoring what he’s done lately

7. Don M Says:
   December 1st, 2009 at 1:46 pm

   yea Geoff that was under “Phillies, Castro.. thread” … posts on Nov. 25th

   If we got him for 2 years, $3 M .. that’s cheaper than I thought we could get him last week, but not off by much

   I’m guessing he left money on the table to play for the Phillies “hometown team” and “World Series contender”

8. Ben Says:
   December 1st, 2009 at 1:48 pm

   clearly has a higher cieling than any backup we’ve had the last few years. hopefully he can bounce back from his injuries and give us some good starts this year.

9. Geoff Says:
   December 1st, 2009 at 1:49 pm

   Yeah for sure..it sounded like he left some money on the table and will accept less PT just so he can play in Philadelphia….AWESOME.

   Remember when people would take less money to LEAVE Philadelphia?

10. just saying Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 1:53 pm

    WHY NOT SIGN COSTE? this is unbelievable. I don’t care if he’s half the player schneider is (which isn’t the case). Coste is a phillie, schneider is a met. It should have stayed that way.

11. psujoe Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 1:55 pm

    Back-up catcher is all about defense. I just wish he was righty unless he’s not assigned to a specific pitcher. I used to hate when Lee would start against a lefty and Bako would be in the line-up.

12. psujoe Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    Now we need another right handed bench bat which I’m Ok with.

13. Amazinsux Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    Certainly an upgrade over Bako, but who wouldn’t be?

14. Geoff Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    Would you say that if Johan Santana or David Wright came walking throuigh that door begging to give back half their salary to play for us?

15. Don M Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    just saying… back in 2005

16. Don M Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    It’s not like you were counting on Bako to get a hit against ANY pitcher.. so it didn’t matter to me, LHP or RHP

    whenever he got a hit, it was a bonus

17. just saying Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    he throws right, so now issue there…i just want one solid reason why they didn’t resign coste

18. therookie300 Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    He’s an Expo/National more than a Met. We finally don’t have to worry about him hitting against us anymore. He was a pain in the ass when we played his teams. Good signing. Provides a good solid backup to Ruiz. Keeps the defense strong.

19. joedad Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    They dropped Coste in the middle of the year last year so why would they resign him? They obviously don’t like him.

    Schneider is a modest upgrade over Bako. He’s an average backup and nothing more.

20. Keystone Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    psujoe- Ben Francisco is the right handed bench bat. Do people forget that he is on the team?

21. psujoe Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:24 pm

    Fair enough Don, but I just think percentage wise the club is better off with 3 of 5 bench players hitting lefties better.

22. NEPA Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    Must be a slow day when we are excited about this one.But it does fill a need.
    I guess any Phillie news is better than none at this time of year.

23. psujoe Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:27 pm

    Keystone, I love Fransisco. I just felt like the Phils were handicapped with Dobbs, Stairs and Bako with only Fransisco as a right. I don’t really count Bruntlett and Castro as “bench bats”.

24. Rdavis Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:39 pm

    Not really worth mentioning. He’s a 33 year old version of Paul Bako, but if fills a need. Let’s move on.

25. Bob in Bucks Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    Just Saying – Here are a few reasons not to sign Coste –

    1. Batting average – 2006 – .328
    2007 – .279
    2008 – .263
    2009 – .224
    See a pattern? He is on the way down.

    2. Why? He will be 37 next year

    3. He was always marginal defensively

    Look, I love the story and he had two good years with the Phillies. But we are trying to win and he is in the past. Let’s move on. When he is ready definitely hire him to coach/manage in the minors. Nice, smart guy but he has passed his prime.

26. Matt Kwasiborski Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    Polanco was non-tendered by the Tigers: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

    The Schnieder signing was a solid move. He is a backup catcher and knows the NL East. We have been trying to get ride of Coste for a while now.

27. George Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    He’s better than average, way better than Bako in all respects, and he’s playing for a small amount.

    Solid reason not to re-sign Coste? Try these: age, loss of agility, plummeting batting average, no speed, mediocre arm. I could think of more if I tried, but I won’t, because Coste is a good guy and a hard worker, and was an asset in ‘07 and “08. Sometimes you have to move on.

28. Don M Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    Everyone remembers that we didn’t have Coste for a large part of last season right????

    It’s not like we just recently decided not to bring him back … he’s been gone for a while now

    …
    Perfect description of Schneider is a younger Paul Bako, with a better bat

    this is definitely an upgrade any way you look at it!!

29. rusty stab Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 3:00 pm

    The Phils tried to sign a left-handed hitting catcher but the Twins would not let go of Joe Mauer. Schneider, if healthy, is an upgrade as a catcher and has shown in the past (not last year when he was hurt) to be a better hitter than Bako. He’s an upgrade. We’re moving in the right direction.

30. Chuck Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 3:00 pm

    This signing is HUGE for those overall health of and productivity from Chooch…I love it!!

    Coste wil ALWAYS be a Phillie….he’s one of those guys that, when his playing days are over, could be the type to come back and work for the organization in some capacity.

31. NateB Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    I like Schneider. He looks like Utley’s brother, so maybe he’ll start hitting like him now too. JK. But he’s a good backup catcher.

32. Ben Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 3:10 pm

    polanco being non-tendered is nice if the phils decide to go after him.

    also, word is the phils kicked the tires on smoltz. if he still has some gas i’d love his post season experience in the pen come october.

33. Ed R. Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 3:15 pm

    http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/12/phillies-eyeing-john-smoltz.html

34. psujoe Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    No arbitration for Harden. Probably too much risk for the price, but he can be nasty.

35. Don M Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 3:31 pm

    I think Harden led the league in Strikeouts-per-9 Innings …. but didn’t throw enough total innings to actually finish as the league leader

    He’s got tons of talent.. but he’s been on the DL like 6 times in his career already.. Harden and Sheets could make-or-break a low budget team

    but since they are so risky… I see both going to bigger teams. Maybe the Dodgers get involved or something.. Wouldn’t be surprised to see the Yankees jump on either of them

36. JeffS Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 4:05 pm

    Tejada was not offered arbitration? Maybe I’m thinking backwards, but I’m a little surprised.

37. rusty stab Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    I don’t know if Smoltz has anything left in the tank, but one thing for sure, he is competitive, and has a lot to offer young pitchers in terms of conditioning, pitching knowledge and saavy. If he has anything left, he would be like a second pitching coach and would benefit guys like Hamels, kendrick, Drabek, madson, Happ and others.

38. JeffS Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 4:15 pm

    Now I’m sure I’m thinking backwards. I’m more surprised that Amaro said he likely won’t offer arb to Park. If his agent isn’t bluffing about some interest from other teams, seems to me that we want the pick if he leaves to try to be a starter again.

39. griffin Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 4:23 pm

    I’m surprised the Phils didn’t offer arbitration to Chan Ho. If he accepts than you get him for one more year and don’t have to worry about a risky multi-year deal. If he declines, you get a 2nd round pick as compensation when he signs with another team.

    I don’t really see the downside in offering him arbitration.

40. pb Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    griffin: me neither there has to be something we are missing. I understand Eyre but not Park… what’s the most Park would be awarded 4.5mil? I can’t see him getting anymore than that if he gets that much

41. JeffS Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    Maybe Amaro was misquoted? I hope, anyway.

42. pb Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 4:40 pm

    The only reason I can think of, is that he must of promised Chan Ho he wouldn’t, just like when he promised him a chance to win a starting job.

43. Ed 2 Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 6:21 pm

    Anyone take a look at Tejada’s stats? The guy may never walk, but he hits consistantly with runners on and simply anihilates the ball at Citizens Bank Park. Plus he bats right handed. Imagine a .315 BA right behind werth and ibanez. The three of them would be the heart of the order for almost any other team, but instead would be our 5, 6 and (gulp) 7. I wonder how much hes looking for?

44. NJ Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    I love it, the Phils are stocked so I love adding guys who when it comes to the game are character, defensive-minded, hard-work first types so all those elements filter through to the core guys.

    I love what Ruben is doing (which is what Minaya and the Mets continue to neglect) understanding there’s only so many top guys you add and it’s the role players who make the guys around them better on winning teams.

    Love it

45. Manny Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    Great, great move. How can anyone not like it? He’s from the Philly area and a Phillies fan. He knows the NL East pretty well and WANTS to play for our team. Awesome.

46. George Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 7:04 pm

    Chan Ho Park could have cost too much if he’d agreed to arbitration. How much do you pay for middle relief, anyway? He’s good, but there may be better and/or cheaper out there.

    The Phils pick so far down anyway that losing that potential draft pick should Park sign elsewhere is pretty meaningless.

    The door is still open for Park, but by not offering him arbitration, the Phils get more flexibility in negotiations. It’s not a bad approach.

47. George Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    As far as looking at John Smoltz: the team is probably looking at nearly everybody whose arm is still attached in order to gain some pitching depth. That’s what teams do this time of year. I take this rumor with a grain of salt.

48. Els Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 8:39 pm

    I know it hurt to see Coste go to my beloved Mets. I was not excited about the signing ,but he is a good character guy. Also, is not on the 25 man roster, so thats good. Shneider had a rough year last year. There was talk that his defense was average as well. He certainly did not help out any pitchers.

    al i am saying is, I do not hurt to see this happen. Seems like a solid backup for Ruiz. Schneider was our starter, so that sucked. He did not take a pay cut though. He was not making more than 1.5 million a year.

49. Manny Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    Ummm.. Els, Brian Schneider made 4.9 million JUST last year… Get informed, he played for your team!

50. A baseball guy Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 10:31 pm

    Love the signing, He is a good defensive catcher and a good character guy. We are doing good things. I dont want smoltz he is too old and he isnt fitting into this team i dont think. I think the phillies should sign a Joe Beimel or some other type like that.

51. Manny Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 10:57 pm

    Check out this beautiful play by Beltre… go to 0:27 after clicking the link:
    http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4208493

    Just saw it on MLB Network and wanted to share it with all.

52. Els Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 11:19 pm

    Um Manny, I was talking about this year. He was in for a serious pay-cut. He was well aware of this even last year.

53. Jeff Y. Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 7:39 am

    I thought Schneider sucked with the Muts last year.

54. Ed R. Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 8:01 am

    Billy Wagner signed with the Braves for 2 years with year 2 being an option year.

55. A baseball guy Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 9:03 am

    So the braves help nl east by adding a older wagner who wont be very effective.

56. psujoe Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 10:28 am

    Wagner looked pretty good after surgery last year. Braves are going to be tough with that rotation. I just hope they don’t add to thier lineup.

57. Don M Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 10:43 am

    $7 Million for Billy Wagner.. with a $6.5 M option for 2011 …. damn thats a lot of money

    …
    For people that think Schneider “SUCKED WITH THE METS LAST YEAR” .. do you guys forget that he was hurt??

    That is like saying that Brett Myers SUCKED last year.. and if some team signs him as their 4th5-th starter.. or for their bullpen.. that it wouldn’t be a good move

    Schneider in a backup role is PERFECT for this team

58. Geoff Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 10:52 am

    The Astros and Rangers are looking at signing Brett Myers…hed be good for either team. I predict hell go to Houston – Wade looking to bring in someone he knows and drafted.

    The Phillies need some kind of incentive laden starter here. one year deal, second year option. Duscherer, Harden, Escobar, Sheets are all some pretty good names to choose from. If you view Harden as a 5th starter, hes a damn good 5th starter. Boston will go after one of those guys for sure. Texas will get one if they dont sign Myers. Unless the price and years for Jason Marquis and Joel Piniero comes down – which it may in this market – those are the types of guys well be looking at. Wolf wasnt offered arbitration, so teams will be hot after him – not us though.

59. Don M Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 10:58 am

    Braves are looking to move Lowe (probably impossible due to his $45 million still remaining over 3 years).. or Javier Vazquez

    I also read earlier that were giving thought to Tommy Hanson as a reliever, instead of a starter

    Kawakami sucks..

    Jair Jurrgens is FILTHY, and gives the Phillies fits..
    Tim Hudson is a beast when healthy.

    Braves are a solid team

60. Don M Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 11:04 am

    Phillies might be in on Escobar, or Dusch.. but they don’t have the $7 M price tag that Harden or Sheets will command..

    they also don’t have the NEED for those guys the way other teams do

    Spend money on a 3b, and a bullpen …

61. Geoff Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 11:10 am

    My philosophy is that if they can get someone on an incentive-laden deal for a 4 or 5 million base salary (which I believe they can), then they should sign him. If he is NOT better than Kendrick, then dont sign him and just use Kendrick as the 5th starter until Drabek is ready. But that would mean rushing Drabek, which I dont favor. I favor the aforementioned approach. Let Drabek take his time, even the whole yaer in AAA before you call him up in September. NO RUSHING HIM UP.

62. Don M Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 11:24 am

    “We’d like to add some more depth if we could,” said Amaro, who added that any signing was likely to be a low-risk, high-reward type of pitcher. “But pitchers aren’t falling out of trees, and I don’t have an unlimited budget.”

    The Phillies have a track record of signing players who can start or relieve, from Ryan Franklin to Chad Durbin to Park. Amaro said yesterday they could make a similar move this offseason. One player they have discussed is Smoltz, who had an up-and-down year with the Red Sox and the Cardinals last season.

    “He kind of fits the bill, certainly,” Amaro said. “I’m not sure if that’s a role he wants to play, but like I said, we’ve had some discussions with some of those guys who can give us some more pitching depth.”

    …
    Throw the names Harden, Sheets, Piniero, etc.. all out the window

    I think Kelvim Escobar and Justin Dusch are the two guys they can, and should target … and try like hell to get Chan Ho Park back

63. psujoe Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 11:29 am

    Option only vests if Wagner finishes 50 games. That’s a big if. Still, I think 7 mil is cheap for a closer, no?

64. Don M Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 11:37 am

    Not an aging closer, with lots of injuries in his recent past..

    How dominate can he be? I guess they like the LHP-Closer to go against our lineup

    But I’ll take Miguel Tejada or Placido Polanco vs. Billy Wagner any day of the week.. and LOVE my chances

65. Chuck Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 11:40 am

    To me…the Braves are the team that the Phils need to be concerned about the most….BECAUSE of their pitching…

    And….PLEASE….can everyone that’s bashing the Schneider signing please stop….this guy can and will deliver….he probably will be slightly more than a back-up to Chooch…..which is great for his (Ruiz’s) overall performance.

    Can’t wait til we smack Billy Wagner around…

66. psujoe Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 11:50 am

    Signing Wagner signals the Braves won’t sign both Gonzalez and Soriano. Do they sign either?

67. The Original Chuck P Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 1:32 pm

    A couple things… I’m not thrilled about the Schneider signing. You’re paying a defensive-minded backup catcher $3 million, which is probably more than Ruiz will make. I hope that it doesn’t mess with Carlos’ psyche.

    Would love to see us go after Gonzalez…

    We still don’t have a third baseman.

68. Geoff Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    Youre paying him 1.5M per year, 3M over two years.

69. Pat Gallen Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    Hey guys, Wagner post is up now if you want to talk about it on that thread. Also, new year in review as well.

70. bob Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    I would LOVE Soriano or Gonzalez in our pen, that would look fantastic. Don’t see that happening with the budget but we shall see. Guess it depends how much we need to spend on 3rd base.

    I’m curious to see how we would use Smoltz, I think that falls under the low risk, high reward description. He’d been a good candidate to compete for the 5th starter spot and push the other guys and he’s been solid out of the bullpen before. IMO a risk worth taking.

    Fanastic signing getting Brian Schneider in here he’s a solid backup catcher to Ruiz and is pretty good defensively so we won’t lose that when Chooch gets some rest. When healthy he can provide a little pop from time to time and any hit is a bonus since Bako was an automatic out.

71. Manny Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    Actually, Schneider is gonna make 2.75M:

    1.125M in 2010
    1.625M in 2011

    — I expect Chooch to make around 1M (or more?) for 2010… so I don’t think that there will be enough of a difference to mess with his psyche. Coste, last year’s backup, made the same $$ as Chooch and that didn’t cause any problems.

72. Don M Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 1:49 pm

    Carlso Ruiz is the 4th richest man in Panama … I doubt he cares about moving up to #2 on that list

    CHOOOOCH!!!

Leave a Reply