Categories: Posts

Odds And Ends: Coste, Turnbow, Blackley, Burrell

A few things I didn’t get to over the end of the week:

  • The Phillies may be baiting Chris Coste.

According to MASN (via MLB.com), the Orioles are showing interest in the Phillies backup catcher. Makes sense, considering the Phils traded for Ronny Paulino over the Winter Meetings. And considering Carlos Ruiz can handle pitching, and Paulino seems competent at the plate, there’s no reason not to try for insurance pitching or a prospect for Coste.

  • The Phillies are rumored interested in reliever Derrick Turnbow.

Turnbow, originally drafted by the Phillies, had an awesome 2005 (thank you, HGH), then dropped off in 2006. He returned with some quality in 2007, but hasn’t really been a great arm. Other teams interested include the Marlins, Pirates, Rangers, Giants, Rays, Rockies and Tigers. The two best teams in baseball and a bunch of the worst. He’ll go to one of the worst teams.

  • The Diamondbacks signed Travis Blackley to a major league contract.

Blackley, 26, went 5-10 with a 5.41 ERA for AAA Lehigh Valley last season. The lefty was on the short list of finalists for the 25-man roster in Spring Training 2008, but lost out to Adam Eaton. It’s a little surprising Arizona gave him a major league deal.

  • It’s looking possible Pat Burrell will suit up in Tampa Bay.

Jon Heyman is reporting the Rays and Burrell are talking, and it’s a “real possibility” Burrell will go to Tampa. Hey, it’s a great fit for both parties. Would be odd seeing Pat in that kooky Rays logo, though (ha, we beat them in the World Series).

Share
Tim Malcolm

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.

Get throwback Phillies styles from Shibe Vintage Sports in Center City Philly