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No thanks: Phillies back off Borowski, story says

Citing concerns with his shoulder, the Phillies stepped away from a multi-year deal with free agent closer Joe Borowski, according to a report on ESPN.com.

Team doctors reportedly advised against a multi-year deal after a routine physical. The 35-year-old right-hander has had shoulder problems as recently as 2004. Pitching last season with the Marlins, Borowski went 3-3 with a 3.75 ERA and 36 saves in 72 appearances. Borowski’s people are now listening to one-year offers and have not ruled out renegotiating with the Phillies, the story says.

Beerleaguer: When it comes to free agent relievers, there’s an unusually high level of rubbish this winter. The Phillies are right; they are better off staying away from this guy, even for a year. If he goes elsewhere and becomes Mariano Rivera, blame the doctors. That's better than signing him against doctors' orders, only to be strapped with a busted arm. Pat Gillick doesn't need that headache, and neither do we.

Along with Cincinnati’s David Weathers, Borowski was considered a leading option for the bullpen-deprived Phillies. The consensus is they need to add two relievers.

Since the Phillies are in the mood to step back and reconsider, this observer wishes to back off an earlier hot-stove yearning for Weathers. He’s still a nice pitcher, but not for the money the current market is commanding, and not after assuming top billing now that Borowski was red-lighted.

Several posters, including newcomer Maverick and regular reader/blogger Dajafi, offered a list of alternatives and a different strategy yesterday in the Adam Eaton thread. Now that the entire free agent reliever pool is tainted, let’s review some of the other names. Here’s Maverick’s list from yesterday, and his thoughts ...

J.C. Romero (30) - Last year he was bad. Three of the four previous years he was quite good, including a 2002 that was spectacular. Classic value pickup.

Alan Embree (35) – 53 Ks in 52 IP last year, and only 15 walks. What’s not to like?

LaTroy Hawkins (33) – Headcase or talent? I’d pay 1 million to find out. Terrific in 2002-2004, his walks really only spiked in 2005, and he’s been quite good, despite his reputation. Pay no attention to last year’s plummeting K rate.

Eric Gagne (30) – Boras still thinks he can get him a one-year, 10-million dollar deal. Once reality moves in, so should the Phillies. Even during his injury-plagued 2005, he was spectacular – 22 K’s in 13 IP.

Darren Oliver (35) –He threw 81 good innings for the Mutts last year. Won’t kill us, and as a setup option he makes as much sense as Arthur Rhodes did.

Rudy Seanez (36) – Even in his much-maligned 2006 he had 54 Ks in 53 IP. His 2005 was brilliant, with 80 Ks in 60-some IP. Not a bad gamble.

Dajafi’s comments: "Overall, you've got it exactly right: don't go the Ed Wade route of overpaying for guys who put up one 30-save season and whose names you recognize, because dumpster-diving for rehab types with talent is 100 percent as likely to give you a decent bullpen. Relief might be the area where Gillick's old-timey scouting-oriented ways help most." Dajafi did even more dumpster diving, revealing these options:

Joey Eischen: vet lefty who pitched for years with Montreal/Washington. He was pig-ugly awful in 2006, but effective as recently as 2005 (3.22 ERA in a strict LOOGY role). NRI, vet minimum, and if he's finished, cut him next March.

Dustin Hermanson: White Sox closer in 2005 until he got hurt and was replaced by the superior Bobby Jenks (himself a castoff!). Out for almost all of '06, but came back in September and pitched decently. Good setup option and won't cost more than a couple million at the outside.

Cliff Politte: another Sox reliever who was great in '05 and injured last year, DFA'd in July and evidently never caught on anywhere else. Is he healthy? I dunno. But why not give him a shot and find out?

David Riske: and yet another guy who last suited up for the ChiSox. Not a world-beater, but he hasn't had an ERA north of 4 since 2002, and if I had to bet on either him or Borowski putting up a good year in 2007, I'd probably take the Riske.

Tyler Walker: okay, not a great name for a pitcher. And he was cut by the Devil Rays. But he strikes guys out and has closing experience (though I wouldn't want to see him in high-leverage situations until he proved himself in a less key role first).

A list of free agent relievers can be found here.

FOXSports: Piazza deciding between Phils, A's

Norristown native Mike Piazza is leaning toward signing with the hometown nine or the Oakland A's, according to major-league sources cited by FOXSports scribe Ken Rosenthal. [Link]

The 38-year-old catcher hit 283/.342/.501 for the Padres last season with 22 homers and 68 RBIs in 399 at-bats. He was a much better hitter on the road, logging a .935 OPS.

Beerleaguer: Mike Piazza isn't a guy we've talked about a whole lot. Oddly enough, as much as I’ve pimped Carlos Ruiz, and rejoiced in Chris Coste’s surprise season, I see Big Mike as a championship-caliber addition for next season’s Phillies. Even with limited time behind the plate, he could see significant action, give Ryan Howard an occasional blow against tough left-handers, and serve as a mighty pinch-hitter on any given night. He’s an exciting offensive player and kills left-handers, which is an area the team is generally deficient. Along with third baseman Wes Helms, who signed last week, Piazza would mean that problem is on its way to being fixed.

With the potential for big lumber out of an unexpected source, it could mean the kiss of death for outfielder Pat Burrell, whose value may be on the rise for teams that missed out on Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee. Indications are the Phillies are trying to trade him no matter what, and if he's moved, and Piazza is added, the Phils may opt for a defense/speed outfield.

How this would impact Ruiz and Coste is anyone's guess. It's likely one of them would still see the lion's share of starts behind the plate, which could favor the younger Ruiz.

Phillies, Eaton agree on 3-year, $24 million deal

The day after former second-round pick Randy Wolf will reportedly sign with the Dodgers, the Phillies are bringing back their No. 1 pick from the year before, right-hander Adam Eaton.

According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the two sides have settled on a preliminary three-year, $24 million contract with a mutual option fourth year, a package that would reportedly top $33 million. The agreement is contingent on Eaton passing a physical later this week. (Update: The story was also reported by MLB.com)

Seattle was the only other team to put in an offer, but Texas, St. Louis, Colorado and San Diego were all believed to have interest. The story also suggests Phillies GM Pat Gillick made a hard push for Eaton, flying in personally on his 38th wedding anniversary to finalize the deal.

The 29-year-old right-hander was drafted by the Phillies in the first round (11th pick) of the 1996 amateur draft, then was traded to San Diego in 1999 for pitcher Andy Ashby. In seven seasons, he’s 54-45 with a 4.40 ERA with San Diego and Texas. Last season with Texas, he went 7-4, 5.12 ERA in 13 starts after returning from injury. He will round out the starting five with Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jon Lieber and Jamie Moyer.

Beerleaguer: The biggest pitching signing of the Pat Gillick era signifies a change in strategy, as Gillick opens his wallet and turns to free agent Adam Eaton to round out the pitching staff. For the 29-year-old right-hander, his career has unofficially come full-circle.

The ESPN report suggests Eaton will make $6.875 million in 2007, $7.635 million in '08, and $8.5 million in '09. Other particulars include a $1 million signing bonus and a $500,000 buyout of the mutual option for 2010.   

There’s reason to be excited. There’s potential for Eaton to be quite good. How good? Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says the Phils believe he has 20-win potential. There seems to be a general belief that Eaton, still just 29, has yet to hit full stride. Randy Wolf was the only other free agent who could marshal the same feeling.

A look around the rest of the NL East finds a starting staff that stacks up well with the rest of the division. With Eaton on board, probably starting in that fifth spot, the Phillies have a balanced left/right stable and can give opponents different looks. Eaton can put a little mustard on four sound pitches.

The downside is he is no stranger to injury, which may be why so few teams put in an early bid. In July of 2001, he underwent Tommy John surgery and missed all but the last few weeks of 2002 – almost the same exact timetable as Wolf, down to the day and month. For the next three seasons, he tried to fill the role of No. 2 starter, but probably came up short of that. He started having trouble with his middle finger halfway through 2005. Last winter, he was traded to Texas along with Akinori Otsuka for Chris Young, Adrian Gonzalez and Terrmel Sledge, then missed half of 2006 with the same injury.

He spent most of his career in a pitchers’ park; now he’ll spend the next three working in a bandbox where just about every make and model pitcher gets shelled. Scouts like that he has four good pitches and the stuff to keep the ball on the ground, although his numbers do not support that notion. He's a good fielder, a good athlete and can do something no other Phillies' pitcher can do: hit. He’s a lifetime .191 hitter.

Considering Danys Baez is commanding only a few million less over the same length, Eaton is a pretty fair value and a decent risk, and he won't cost them a precious early draft pick.

Thumbs up to Gillick and the Phils for making Eaton the new No. 5. Watch for the internal ripple effect in coming weeks, as Eaton creates some redundancy for AAA tweeners like Gavin Floyd and Justin Germano.

FOXSports: Dellucci reaches agreement with Tribe
In other news, the Indians have reached an agreement with Phillies free agent David Dellucci on a three-year, $11.5 million contract. The deal is contingent on Dellucci passing a physical. The Phillies will receive a second-round pick from Cleveland.

Report: Wolf close to signing with Dodgers

If the story on Foxsports.com is correct, the Phillies nine-year relationship with 30-year-old left-hander Randy Wolf is at an end.

Loyalty is a dying animal in baseball, but it appears this near agreement isn’t necessarily about the bottom line, either. The Dodgers have reportedly offered only a one-year contract with a club option for 2008, believed to be less than what the Phillies were offering. The former second-round pick lives in the Los Angeles area and attended Pepperdine University.

Wolf returned from Tommy John surgery in late July and holds a career mark of 69-60 with a 4.21 ERA. He went 4-0 with a 5.56 ERA in 12 starts last season. He was an all-star in 2003, and hasn't taken a loss since May of 2005.

Beerleaguer: Though he was scouted heavily, there was a positive vibe Wolf could be retained. The Phillies handed him a sizable contract when he was still quite young, then oversaw his rehab and got him back on the mound for more starts then expected. It turned out to be an audition. It’s hard to imagine they could have done more for him over his nine-year career. Wolf was a central component of Ed Wade's championship blueprint, and was a fan favorite.

He will instead pass on more guaranteed years and return home for one or two seasons. Perhaps doubts about his health are weighing on his conscious and he doesn’t want to handcuff the Phils with a long-term deal.

Unlikely. I think it’s the opposite. Knowing the success of Tommy John surgery, Wolf probably feels confident in his ability to rebound as a premiere left-hander in a pitcher-friendly park. Someone like Wolf could pitch into his 40s, and he knows his next contract – after this – could get him awfully close.

Astros net Carlos Lee for 6-years, $100 million

The 30-year-old outfielder hit a combined 37 home runs and 116 RBIs with Milwaukee and Texas. Houston signed him to a hefty 6-year, $100 million deal yesterday.

Conflicting reports said the Phillies would either blow the competition out of the water or pass entirely on Alfonso Soriano's bridesmaid. The Astros made it a moot point, adding the stock slugger to bolster the National League’s worst offense. The team also inked right-hander Woody Williams Friday, as they brace for the loss of Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.

Lee becomes the latest high-ticket outfielder to not become the new face of the Phillies, a task that didn’t produce happy endings for Bobby Abreu and Pat Burrell -- both more appealing than Lee. Last week, Soriano, believed to be the team’s No. 1 target, signed with the Chicago Cubs for eight years, $136 million.

Adding Lee, an offense-only outfielder, would have made them poorer, but not markedly better. Knowing how this town scrutinizes its high-priced stars, it would have taken less than a season of sub-.500 ball for Lee to become the new goat for discontent. He’s been with three clubs in three seasons, all during his prime. It's telling that his trade to Milwaukee, in exchange for Scott Podsednik, was basically a shakeup that worked out better for the White Sox.

Houston was one of the few teams that needed no-frills offense, so Lee was a logical fit. But isn’t it funny how Houston and Chicago, the big spenders so far, still don’t appear much better than mediocre? Plus, they cancel one another in the NL Central. By design or not, the Phillies have watched the price of offense soar, as reports are they still intend to deal Burrell, whose relationship with the club must be tenuous. Look for Burrell to add just a few more destinations to his list, as desperate teams may be willing to tack on extra seasons to his increasingly reasonable contract.

Feast on these minor league transactions

The Phillies are serving up a cornucopia of signings this Thanksgiving season. Check out the latest additions.

According to Baseball America, the Phillies have signed 1B Gary Burnham, LHP Allen Davis, OF Ryan Fleming, OF Branden Florence and RHP Tim McClaskey. Imagine sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner. The turkey has been carved into tender slices. You fill your plate with a moist pile of stuffing and layer it with gravy. The peas are so fresh, they snap when you bite them. Picture your plate, a mosaic of fall colors. Now picture someone pouring a can of Spaghetti-Os all over your plate. Happy Thanksgiving, from the Phillies.

Phillies looking for help around the edges

According to an interview that appeared on Comcast, Phillies GM Pat Gillick is seeking a young backup catcher via trade to catch 50-60 games next season. If it sounds like a threat to Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste, there may be a logical explanation. Or maybe not.

Believe it or not, finding a backup catcher could be one of the tougher challenges of the Phillies' offseason.

Let me explain. Even with Ruiz and Coste in place, the Phillies need a No. 3 catcher no matter what. Catchers run a high risk of injury. Additionally, neither Ruiz, 28, nor Coste, 34, are proven commodities. The Phils have nobody at the Triple-A level who would classify as major-league ready (Dusty Wathan, Tim Gradoville and Jason Jaramillo are currently listed on Ottawa’s roster). Jaramillo, fresh off his excellent season in the Arizona Fall League, still needs time in the minors.

Adding another Sal Fasano-type tweener will be harder than it was in 2006. After Todd Pratt left the backup job vacant, serving as Mike Lieberthal’s insurance policy was a desirable situation for FAs looking for work. It was a great opportunity for Fasano; he was never challenged for the backup role in spring training. Ruiz spent most of spring catching Panama in the WBC and was soon optioned to minor league camp. Then, when Lieberthal went down, Fasano saw more starting action than at any point in his career.

This season is a little different. Reports say the Phillies believe Ruiz can stick as the featured catcher. Meanwhile, Coste (of whom the team has been suspiciously quiet about) proved his worth last season, catching most of the second-half load. Coste finished batting .328 with 7 homers, and was the catcher for many of the staff's best starts.

Needless to say, backup opportunities appear limited, which is why trading for a young, albeit ML-ready player might be the best answer. It would seem less likely for a free agent -- minor league or otherwise -- to gamble on winning a job in spring training, with Ottawa, Canada as their most likely destination ...

... unless ... there are alternative plans for "Coste/Ruiz," which many of us have become accustomed to typing.

Other areas
Generally, the Phillies are in better shape around the edges than last season. They have better depth in outfield, infield, and in areas of speed and defense.

Besides back-end bullpen, the Phillies could also look for an answer in long relief, where Zach Segovia could get a shot at some point next season.

This is 100 percent pure speculation: Based on how he was used this fall, it appears the Phillies are looking at him as a bullpen candidate. The 23-year-old right-hander, who won 16 games as a starter between Clearwater and Reading, made six AFL appearances, all in relief, and went 1-1 with a 0.93 ERA over 9 2-3 innings.

Indications are he is not in the starting plans for next season, but needless to say, his limited relief-only role is more than a little intriguing, especially for a pitcher who might have reached 20 wins had it not been for a Team USA commitment.

Ryan Howard named National League MVP

In just his second season, the Phillies first baseman led the majors with 58 home runs and 149 RBIs, while his surprisingly robust .313 batting average ranked eighth in the NL.

According to Baseball Reference, Howard's season was historically good enough to win the Triple Crown in three different seasons. Only Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Roger Maris, Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx and Hank Greenberg have belted as many homers in one season. The last Phillies player to win the award was Mike Schmidt in 1986. Howard's 58 homers crushed the franchise record 48 set by Schmidt in 1980.

The 27-year-old slugger becomes only the second player in history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP Awards in consecutive seasons, following Cal Ripken in 1982 and 1983. The MVP caps off a big year for Howard, which also included a Home Run Derby win, Silver Slugger Award and MVP of the Japanese All-Star series.

A press conference has been set for 4 p.m. and can be viewed on mlb.com.

Weekend wrap: Soriano agrees to sign with Cubs

Free agent outfielder Alfonso Soriano has agreed to an 8-year contract worth $136 million, according to a report by the Associated Press. Soriano was believed to be the Phillies primary target.

Getting caught up on the latest news, those 175-plus comments in the previous thread weren’t all about Adam Eaton, as Soriano becomes the latest bat to drop off the board.

The mood here at Beerleaguer has been fairly mild, as innocuous as the hit that ended Donovan McNabb’s season yesterday at Lincoln Financial Field. I suspect there will be some outcry – somewhere far away where fans want the Phillies to open their wallet just to show they can. That hasn’t been the case here. Readers have been generally reluctant. If the Cubs want to turn their franchise into the Soriano show for the next eight seasons, that’s their business. Lots of luck riding the wave with Carlos Zambrano, Rich Hill, Wade Miller and the 60-day disabled-list duo.

As I wrote last night, the Phillies can't ignore the real issue anymore; they can only improve pitching now that Soriano is off the table. This happened much earlier than expected. I guess $136 million will do that.

I suspect all the teams that missed out on the Soriano sweepstakes will try to make trades. Moises Alou was more attractive than Carlos Lee in many ways. He's reportedly going to the Mets. The Astros, for example, can't go into next season without improving their offense. I see Lee as a fit there. In addition, San Fran needs bats. LAA is a bat or two away from winning that division. San Diego needs bats. The Phillies return next season with the top run-scoring offense in the National League, plus the addition of Wes Helms. They’re going to be okay.

A couple of changes occurred yesterday. Besides Soriano’s reported agreement, Pat Burrell’s two-year, $27-million contract status went from poor to reasonable because of the sizemic shift in the market. Gillick can't wait to unload Burrell. Well, Mr. Gillick, the Cubs have forced you to readjust your thinking, even if his lasting image of Burrell is taking a called third. Burrell has either become more valuable in a trade, or more valuable as a Phillie - and I'm fairly certain I'd take Burrell over Lee and whatever he's about to command.

Looking at the roster, the Phils lack a setup man and have concerns at closer, so a deal for free agent closer Joe Borowski or right-hander David Weathers must get done.

Besides that, what can they do? The best starters don't want to come here. The rest - like Eaton, Randy Wolf - might get you there, but who knows? Run a good spring training, get your team ready, and hope you don't start 10-14 for a third-consecutive season.

Despite the setback, the Phillies are sitting on many positives, including Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Cole Hamels, all cheap for many years. Without a doubt, that situation is the best thing going in Philadelphia sports.

Rumor roundup: Phils show interest in RHP Eaton

ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick reports the Phillies met with the right-hander’s reps Tuesday at the GM meetings in Naples, Fla. Crasnick says the 29-year-old could command in excess of $8 million annually for a three or four-year deal.

The former first-round pick of the Phillies reinjured the middle finger on his pitching hand during spring training and missed half the season. When he returned, he went 7-4 with a 5.12 ERA in 13 starts.

Since the 1999 trade that sent Eaton to the Padres for Andy Ashby, I’ve added and dropped Eaton about two dozen times from my fantasy team. He is no stranger to injury. In July of 2001, he underwent Tommy John surgery and missed all but the last few weeks of 2002 – almost the same exact timetable as Randy Wolf down to the day and month. For the next three seasons, he tried to fill the role of a prototypical No. 2 starter, but probably came in slightly short of that. He started having trouble with his middle finger halfway through 2005. Last winter, he was traded to Texas along with Akinori Otsuka for Chris Young, Adrian Gonzalez and Terrmel Sledge.

Spending most of his career in a pitchers’ park, he’s 54-45 with a 4.40 ERA over his seven-year career.

I’m more than just a little intrigued by Eaton. I can see why Gillick has taken an interest. It’s a safe assessment that Gillick prefers athletes. He’s a good fielder and can do something no other Phillies pitcher can do: hit. He’s a lifetime .191 hitter.

But for more traditional reasons, the athletic 6-2 right-hander would appeal to someone from the old school. Scouts like that he has four good pitches and can keep the ball on the ground.

I like that he’s a free agent with actual upside, something you don’t often see. There seems to be a general belief that Eaton has yet to hit full stride. If the Phillies are going to resort to free agency, I’d rather see them take a chance on someone like Eaton, age 29, than many of the other choices. He is believed to be among that second-third tier of free agent pitchers, under guys like Ted Lilly, Vicente Padilla and Jeff Suppan. I could see him winning more games than all of them, and would also provide the better long-term solution.

Phils agree to two-year contract with Wes Helms

Multiple sources are reporting the two sides agreed in principle on a two-year, $5.5 milllion contract with an option for a third that would make Wes Helms the team’s starting third baseman.

Beerleaguer: With Helms on board, reportedly as the new starting corner man, something has to give in the lineup. Manager Charlie Manuel can't possibly trot out Helms, Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand and the two-headed catcher most nights. I wouldn't even give him the opportunity.

That said, there’s probably just a little more urgency to move Burrell, or to a lesser extent, Rowand. The baseball world knows they are desperate to move Burrell, and this latest acquisition only appears to displace the maligned slugger even further. The gloves must come from somewhere, and the lineup also takes a hit in areas of speed and contact. As for Rowand, a high-strikeout, low contact, low on-base right-handed hitter, adding Helms makes him even more out of place in the lineup.

More than anything, if Helms is indeed cast as the starting 3B, the defense takes an obvious blow. With Burrell and Helms patrolling the left side, this will be a painful year for Jamie Moyer and the rest of the staff. There must be more cards up Gillick’s sleeve to rebalance the starting nine.

For more on Helms, be sure to check out the the post listed just below this one.

Rosenthal: Phils offering Helms everyday job at 3B

FoxSports analyst Ken Rosenthal says general manager Pat Gillick personally flew to Alabama to meet with free agent third baseman Wes Helms. [Link]

Though several teams remain in the hunt, Rosenthal says the Phillies have shown the most interest of any club in the 30-year-old right-handed hitter. Helms hit 10 homers, 47 RBIs and notched a .965 OPS in 240 at-bats with the Marlins. Breaking it down, Helms created 8.1 runs-per-game in limited action and led all Florida regulars with a 26.3 percent line drive ratio.

The Phils shouldn’t count on a repeat in that department; his unusually high LD% smacks of fluke to me, and is at least one reason he had career numbers, including a career-best .575 SLG. Just two seasons ago, his OPS stood at a brutal .692. The other part, of course, is he rediscovered his home-run swing after hitting just eight homers the last two seasons combined.

Over his eight-year career, Helms’ left/right splits aren’t as lopsided as most would expect (.845 OPS vs. LHP; .747 OPS vs. RHP). I suspect the Phillies have eyes on his marks with RISP, which were excellent last season (.948 RISP; 1.197 RISP, two outs). If Pat Burrell is moved, and Alfonso Soriano is not signed, it's possible that Helms will see action in the Phils' No. 5 hole as protection for Ryan Howard.

I’m still not a fan of adding someone who has proven again and again an inability to field his position and secure a full-time job. He started only five games at third last season and hasn't been a starter since 2003. Why would it be any different here? Playing behind the likes of Jon Lieber and Jamie Moyer, pitchers who spray base hits all over the place, defense is absolutely essential. Thoughts?

Minor league report: Phillies sign seven

The latest batch includes six returning players, including veteran outfielder Jim Rushford and left-hander Brian Mazone.

As reported on Baseball America’s transaction update, the Phillies signed 1B/2b John Urick (’06 Low-A Lakewood); 2b/3b Joey Hammond (’06 Double-A Reading); 3b Brennan King (’06 Triple-A Scranton); LHP Brian Mazone (’06 Triple-A Scranton); OF Jim Rushford (’06 Triple-A Scranton); OF Pedro Swann (’06 Triple-A Scranton) and OF Evan Tartaglia (’06 High-A Winston-Salem).

Beerleaguer: Besides Rushford’s dedication (this will be his fourth season with the organization), Mazone is perhaps the only player of note. The 30-year-old left-hander finished 13-3, 2.03 ERA with Triple-A Scranton and was scheduled to make an emergency start with the big club back on Sept. 6, an opportunity that eventually fell through at the last minute.

Primarily a junkball pitcher who changes speeds, Mazone had a superb season for the Barons, including 85 strikeouts to 36 walks. He also kept the ball in the park, giving up just six home runs in 20 starts. Pitching this fall in the Venezuelan League, he is 1-1 with a 6.46 ERA over 15 1-3 innings.

Besides Mazone, the rest have been retained due to lack of position depth, if for no other reason. Swann is a 36-year-old Delaware product who’s been all over the map, including Ottawa, where he is likely to return again in 2007. King is a 25-year-old third baseman who had a decent year with Scranton. Tartaglia is the only new acquisition and appears to be a slashing castoff from the White Sox system.

Morning malarkey: No offer yet to Soriano

We dot.com types can’t be trusted. The Inquirer’s Jim Salisbury breaks up the party, confirming that Pat Gillick and the Phillies have made no preliminary offer to Alfonso Soriano. [Link]

However, Salisbury says Phillies’ officials are scheduled to meet with Soriano's people today. Party on. All the fuss started over a report on MLB.com, which appears to have misquoted the Daily News or something. The MLB.com report said the Phillies made Soriano a preliminary five-year, $73 million offer, which certainly seems plausible enough for me. Unless ...

… the Soriano rumors are just smoke and mirrors. “Only a cynic would infer that the broadside of rumors that the Phillies will make a serious, for-real, for-real run at free-agent slugger Alfonso Soriano came crackling from the back channels just in time for the season-ticket mailings,” Bill Conlin wrote in today's edition. [Link]

-- Rowand rumor: In keeping with our civic dot.com duty to propogate baseless speculation, center fielder Aaron Rowand may be targeted by the Colorado Rockies, according to a story being reported by at least two rock-solid outlets: The PhilliesPhans Message Board and Beerleaguer comments section. Update: An alert reader says the rumor was also mentioned on ESPN.

-- Graham gone? Finally, it’s been a while since we talked about the enigmatic state of the broadcast team. In this morning’s Inquirer, Todd Zolecki reports the Phils are close to an agreement with Harry Kalas, but a source said that Scott Graham's contract will not be renewed. [Link]

Report: Phillies make early offer to Soriano

According to a story on MLB.com, the Philadelphia Daily News reported Monday that the Phillies have offered a five-year, $73 million contract to outfielder Alfonso Soriano. He is believed to be asking for a seven-year, $114 deal.

Six hours spent painting a master bathroom allowed plenty of time for quiet Phillies reflection yesterday. While Sunday’s IronPig post stood idle, trades and free agent signings were knocked about in pastel blue isolation. Two conclusions were made. First, I’m a decent painter. Second, Phillies GM Pat Gillick is facing a tougher challenge than most of us realize.

Within reason, meaning, what’s reasonably expected considering the Phillies track record and estimated $90-$94 million budget, there are enough options available through free agency or via trade to get them over the post-season hump. That's a fact.

In his first year on the job, Gillick earned a one-year grace period from his constituents, time to dissolve bad contracts and regain breathing room. Now that he has it, what will he do with it? Should he lock in with Alfonso Soriano, or save the flexibility for a rainy day, specifically, trade deadline day, or arbitration day?

I'm of two minds on a several issues like that, ranging from Pat Burrell, to Jon Lieber, to Wes Helms. On one hand, they shouldn’t give Burrell away for nothing. On the other hand, the "40 good swings" argument was deadly accurate. Is Lieber an overweight, overpriced mediocrity, or a servicable one-year answer to fill the rotation? And if Helms could platoon with Abraham Nunez at third, would he and Burrell offer enough protection for Ryan Howard against left-handed pitching, with Chase Utley batting behind him against right-handers?

It’s early, but the market for outfielder Alfonso Soriano appears to be a little overrated. The Phillies are clearly the most aggressive pursuers. The team has reportedly made a preliminary offer, believed to be five years, $73 million.

Conflicting reports say he’s seeking a West Coast, warm-weather climate. Others, including WIP’s Howard Eskin, says Soriano absolutely wants to come to here.

When in doubt, follow the money trail, which may well lead to Philly. Ask yourself which teams can afford Soriano that haven’t already targeted top-shelf pitching first. The Mets will probably bid on Barry Zito and can’t afford another big-ticket bat. Boston made a $42 million bid just to have coffee with Daisuke Matsuzaka’s agent. And reports say San Diego’s interest in Soriano is overblown.

Frankly, after Detroit acquired Gary Sheffield, and the Yankees got Bobby Abreu last season, high-ticket outfield is not in great demand from teams that need it. Players like Carlos Lee, J.D. Drew and Vernon Wells – that next tier after Soriano – would probably make better sense for teams like the Padres, Orioles or Giants.

Only a handful of players have signed on the dotted line, but several options have already been taken out of play, including third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who resigned with the Cubs Sunday. A-Ram might have made the most practical sense offensively, but there were few indications the Phillies had any interest at all. Maybe it was assumed he’d stay in Chicago all along.

That leaves Soriano, the lone player to whom they’ve shown total dedication. Even Randy Wolf, to whom they’ve shown great loyalty over the years, reportedly has his bags packed.

As the roster stands, they are close, but not close enough. If they decide to pay big for Soriano, it shows they are interested in matching the Mets' bats in the NL East. But they need pitching, specifically, relief pitching, and that might be a better, more logical strategy to overtake the division. (Has anyone heard anything on Tom Gordon's health? Isn't this the most critical situation of them all?)

Of all the dilemmas the Phillies face, I’m most torn about Soriano. Why would Gillick, a GM who commands great respect, express such fanatical devotion to him? News of his preliminary offer has proven more than one report true: the Phillies are hot for Soriano, whether Burrell is here or not.

Gillick must see it ... and if my six hours in pastel-blue seclusion revealed anything, it's that part of me sees it, too.

Lehigh Valley finalizes worst nickname possible

The Phillies new 2008 Triple-A affiliate has selected a nickname from a list of eight choices. Presenting: The Lehigh Valley IronPigs. [Link]

According to the Morning Call, over 3,500 contest entries, 10,000 online votes and 10 focus groups were used to generate what amounts to one of the worst nicknames in all of professional sports.

Justified as a nod toward Lehigh Valley's steelmaking history, pig iron is the primary raw material used to make steel. This, of course, is baloney. As I write this, marketers are undoubtedly burning the midnight oil developing the fuzzy pink mascot, the junior mascot, the deputy mascot, the hat, the hat with ears, the hat with ears and a snout, the stuffed animal, and of course, the hot dog cannon ... and there’s something just a little grotesque about that last one.

Besides IronPigs, a name that couldn’t ring any less with residents of the Lehigh Valley, there were several slightly less ridiculous choices from the list of eight finalists, including Gobblers, Crushers, Phillies, Phantastics, Vulcans, Keystones and Woodchucks, each annoying in their own unique way.

Sure, this is a little cynical. In time, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs could resonate the way "Chattanooga Lookouts" does. But I doubt it. In 10 years, IronPigs will still reverberate as the end result of some focus group, organized by women in tight buns and men who get manicures. Baseball as I once knew it is sliding away under a tank of colored balls. It's a fight purists lost decades ago. The bosses in LV, admired for their minor league business savvy, know the game is only a fraction of the draw.

They are, in the cold-hard words of the Morning Call “Keenly aware of the rich marketing potential of a quirky name. The minor leagues, a half-billion dollar industry, are full of Mudcats, Warthogs and Crawdads. Team officials took the task seriously, hiring one of the nation's top sports marketing companies, Plan B Branding of Florida, to oversee the process.”

Because nobody knows quirky, attention-grabbing branding quite like ... tah-dah! ... Plan B Branding. An appropriate name, considering Plan A could have easily been "anything but IronPigs."

Beer nuts: Wade Miller re-ups with Chicago Cubs

The Berks County Pa. native agreed to a one-year contract Thursday. Financial terms have not been disclosed.

The 30-year-old right-hander made just five starts last season after returning from arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder to finish 0-2 with a 4.57 ERA. One of those starts was a 4 2-3 inning no decision against the Phils, in which he struck out eight batters.

Miller is expected to join Carlos Zambrano and Rich Hill in the Cubs rotation. In 148 career appearances, including 144 starts with the Astros, Red Sox and Cubs, Miller is 62-45 with a 4.00 ERA.

Beerleaguer: Miller is a fellow Brandywine Bullet and attended Alvernia College in Reading, Pa. In my biased opinion, it’s a good little situation for the Cubs. He was an upper-tier pitcher until a frayed rotator cuff derailed his career in 2004. He throws an especially tight breaking pitch and can miss bats. Provided he stays healthy, Miller could be a nice, economic, back-of-the-rotation starter for Lou Pinella's Cubbies.

Rumor mill
-- Word out of Chicago is the White Sox want Aaron Rowand back. This was picked up by several message board people and overheard on Chicago talk radio. Very speculative obviously, but this rumor has roots dating back to last season. The Sox would be an attractive trading partner. They are believed to be dangling starters Freddy Garcia and Javier Vasquez, although Vasquez has a no-trade clause. They also have redundancy at third with Joe Crede and Josh Fields.

-- The Phillies have contacted Rich Aurilia’s agent, according to a report on Comcast. The 35-year-old third baseman hit .300/.349/.518 with 23 homers for Cincinnati. His $2 million option was bought out by the Reds. San Francisco is believed to have significant interest in reacquiring him.

Sheffield off the table, traded to Detroit Tigers

According to SI.com, New York will receive three good-looking pitching prospects for Gary Sheffield, who will have his contract extended for two additional seasons beyond his remaining one year, $13 million deal.

A deal like this would have wiped the Phillies system completely dry of pitching, so it is something of a relief to see Sheffield ticketed for pitching-deep Detroit. Plus, the extension is reportedly through 2009, at which point Chase Utley and Ryan Howard will be owed millions in arbitration.

Both the Yankees and Tigers benefit, but an extra hat tip goes to Yankees GM Brian Cashman, who has now upgraded his organizational pitching depth in a significant way, while replacing Sheffield with the younger Bobby Abreu. Granted, Cashman had the maximum leverage of Abreu’s no-trade, coupled with the Phillies urgency to deal him by the deadline. Without it, none of this unfolds the way it did for the Yankees.

Sanchez is a bonefide stud prospect, one of the best looking power hurlers in the minors. He went 10-6 with a 2.63 ERA between Class AA and AAA. Class A pitchers Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett round out the trade, according to a Tigers source. Both are former collegian pitchers, and both appear to be high-caliber.

But Sanchez is the key. Along with Philip Hughes, rated as the best right-hander in the minors by Baseball America, the Yanks are positioning for a mini youth movement in their starting rotation. This is absolutely, positively their best strategy.

So what does this mean for our Phillies? Obviously, Sheffield has been taken out of play. It’s bound to draw parallels to the Pat Burrell situation, but I would remind readers that Sheffield’s circumstances, contract, etc. are very different. Burrell, who is protected by a no-trade clause, has reportedly agreed to be moved to only three teams, and all three have shown no interest. The Yankees, on the other hand, had the ability to do what was in their own best interest.

Still, this deal illustrates – to some surprise – that good teams are willing to deal young pitching for somewhat dubious veteran power.

Ex-Phillies Report: Spanning the Globe Part I

There is officially nothing to discuss regarding the Phillies, which means it’s time to pay a visit to some ex-Phils, including Jose Santiago (pictured), fulfilling the dream outside our borders.

Martin Smith / Beerleaguer senior correspondent
Two years ago, we spanned the globe seeking former Phillies, guys who are still earning a pay check playing ball in all corners of the planet. As always, there are a few scattered bodies we’ve been able to trace. Today, we visit Europe and Mexico in part one of Beerleaguer's international season in review.

Italy. The giant boot established a professional league many years ago. By the time you arrive here as an American or Caribbean player, you’re usually at the end of your career. The rare exception is Cardinals pitcher Jason Simontacchi, who returned to the majors after a stint in Italy.

It’s a comfortable living for Italian players. Paychecks are decent, games are on weekends and a car and apartment usually come with the package.

Former Reading standout Rusty McNamara must enjoy it. McNamara (1997-2001) finished second in batting this season (.348) playing for Nettuno, which uses Cleveland’s Chief Wahoo as their logo. Nothing says Italy quite like a Native American. A quick search also finds pitcher Brian Looney, another ex-farmhand, who went 2-2 with a 0.75 ERA for the Telemarketers of Rimini.

Holland. Known for their wooden cleats ... okay, not really. With the terrific-sounding Dutch name "Honkbal Hoofdklasse," this is another pro weekend league with a unique demographic. While Italy tends to recruit Dominican players, Holland’s rosters are filled with native-born players, or players from the former Dutch colonies of Aruba and Curacao.

So, Aruba-native Gene Kingsdale, who played parts of seven season in the majors, now gets his paycheck here. There are currently no Phils to be found, though Randall Simon from Curacao seems like a good candidate down the road. Maybe he could join up with beleaguered starter Sidney Ponson, also of Aruba.

Mexico. The Mexican League has a long, proud history, and many North Americans have played here over the years. Like Italy, most of these players are near the end of their careers, but quite a few have made it back to the bigs. Old-timers like Satchel Paige and Sal "The Barber" Maglie made it back, and more recently, guys like Julio Franco, Randall Simon and Adam Hyzdu.

Which ex-Phils did we uncover? Manny Martinez (1991) hit .348 with Puebla. Our old buddy Randall tore the cover off the ball, hitting .348 with 18 homers in 63 games with Tijuana before his US return. Who can forget the Jose Santiago era, eh? The ex-reliever, who pitched for the Phils in 2001-02, went 7-7 4.55 ERA with Tabasco. Delaware-native Pedro Swann started the year in Mexico, and finished the season in Double-A Reading and Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre, hitting well at all stops.

Currently, a quick check of the Mexican Pacific League finds outfielder Chris Roberson making his second off-season visit. The 26-year-old hit well there in '05, but has struggled in his return.

I’m uncertain why, but the Phils have had very few successful ball players who were born in Mexico, unless you count Fernando Valenzuela’s eight starts in 1994. Other than Ruben Amaro Sr. and pitcher Sid Monge, there has been little else. Perhaps the Phils should pursue Tampa Bay infielder Jorge Cantu, having reportedly passed on Japan’s Ankinori Iwamura.

Stay tuned for the next installment, in which we try to locate Lou Collier in the Far East.

Daily rumor thread: Eye on minor league FAs

No word yet on who the Phillies will sign from the vast pool of minor league free agents. In the meantime, the Nationals have signed pitcher Tim Redding and utility infielder Joe Thurston, who played briefly with the Phils last season.

As discussed earlier, the Phillies could be searching for a few spare arms from this list, specifically castoffs from better teams with deep systems and stable bullpens. Believe it or not, a number of the relievers featured in the World Series were unheralded minor league FAs, or even one-time indie ballers, so quality can certainly be discovered this way. I have yet to see the Phillies truely take advantage of this process.

Pickings are often slim, but a pitcher like Redding, who went 12-10 with a 3.40 ERA with Class-AAA Columbus (Yankees) will probably get a shot at a starting job in the Nationals rotation. It’s probably why he decided to sign there. The Nats will present a similar opportunity for journeyman left-hander Chris Michalak, who’s also a quad-A brand starter who pitched briefly for the Reds last season, going 2-4 with a 4.89 ERA. In total, the Nationals signed 15 minor league free agents yesterday.

As discussed earlier, there is a need for experienced pitchers like Redding, as either a sixth or seventh starter, or as a mop-up long man, something the Phillies lacked last season.

Hofmann column
Speaking of pitching, no one has so eloquently illustrated this idea of dancing around the real issue quite like Daily News scribe Rich Hofmann. In it, Hofmann calls for pitching solutions in the eighth inning, fifth starter, seventh inning and Jon Lieber’s weight before the Phils even think about Alfonso Soriano, or even moving Pat Burrell. Read it here.

Rumor roundup: Top Gun not in Gillick's crosshairs

The Phillies will not make a bid to negotiate with Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura, according to a report in today’s Inquirer.

Iwamura, Japan's starting third baseman at the World Baseball Classic, hit .311/.388/.543 in 145 games for the Yakult Swallows, including 32 homers, 27 doubles and 77 RBI. Nicknamed 'Top Gun' (maybe just on Beerleaguer), he’s also earned the Japanese equivalent of baseball’s gold glove award.

-- There have been several reports now that say Wes Helms or Mark DeRosa are being targeted to platoon with Abraham Nunez at third. DeRosa could earn a starting job elsewhere, including an opportunity to start at second with the Cubs.

-- According to the Houston Chronicle, the Astros are seeking one more veteran starter, preferably Woody Williams or Phillies free agent Randy Wolf. The article also makes mention of outfielder Gary Sheffield as a possibility to upgrade their offense.

-- Speaking of Sheffield, the Astros, along with the Padres, Rangers, Indians and Tigers, have shown the strongest interest in the 38-year-old, according to the New York Post. The Orioles dangled Kris Benson and a reliever for him, but were rejected. Among other names being mentioned as bait include Houston closer Brad Lidge and center fielder Willy Taveras. Houston is also said to have interest in Cincinnati's Adam Dunn, a Houston native who is available.

-- Less then a month after his hire, Phillies third base coach Art Howe has been given permission to speak with the Rangers about becoming their bench coach. The Rangers named long-time Oakland coach Ron Washington as their manager yesterday.

-- Aaron Rowand may be unsigned and arbitration eligible, but there is a solid belief is he will be here next season. Why? "He's going to be here," Gillick said.

-- Sally League right-hander Carlos Carrasco was named top prospect in the Phillies system by TopProspectAlert.com. Carrasco, who’s been compared to Tony Armas Jr., went 12-6 with a 2.26 ERA and 159 strikeouts for the BlueClaws. The ranking matches the way Baseball America seems to be leaning. Carrasco was the Phillies highest-rated player by position in their latest issue.

-- Phillies infielder Alex S. Gonzalez, who was reinstated from the voluntary retired list, filed for free agency yesterday.

-- Final thoughts: Co-workers keep asking who the Phillies will get this offseason, and my answer is always Sheffield. My belief is the Phils will be outbid for Alfonso Soriano, who doesn’t appear to have a preference as to where he goes, and has turned negotiations over to his agent. The Phillies are believed to be willing to take it to the limit, but I don't believe that. There is a number they will not cross. They'll fall back on Sheffield for a year, and I don't know that it's a crime, as long as they're careful of who they trade to get him.

Sheffield is said to have a list of preferences, but the Yankees have every intention of dealing him on their own terms, regardless of his wishes. On a positive note, he’d essentially play for another contract somewhere. I'm borderline okay on the idea of a Sheffield rental, because long-term commitments have hurt the Phillies much, much more. They're only now starting to see the light of day from a failed era of overreaching contracts.

Weathers rumor elicits strange satisfaction

Cincinnati right-hander David Weathers was destined for a job with the Phils. According to Sunday’s Inquirer, the club could fulfill that prophecy.

General manager Pat Gillick faces little risk in getting out-flanked for the right to sign David Weathers. Most teams believe he’s already here. He fits the yeoman mold of a reliever who should have been here years ago, during the Ed Wade era. But to the surprise of many, the sturdy 6-3 right-hander has never been Phillies property. That could change. According to today’s paper, the Phils are targeting Weathers and Florida closer Joe Borowski. I prefer Weathers.

Among the sexy names bandied about – the Sorianos, the Sheffields, the A-Rams – this faceless, 37-year-old journeyman somehow provides the most comfort. He makes total, practical sense. There’s no weirdness; there’s no uneasy feeling. The Phillies won’t pay through the nose, and they already know precisely how to use him.

Sure, he won’t sell tickets, and he might inspire a few Wade jokes, but anyone with half a head recognizes the hole at the back of the bullpen as the team's most urgent need. As much as it pays to take risks, they desperately need at least one horse who’s battle tested and can miss some bats. Honestly, they probably need more than one. If signed, there can be little doubt Weathers will finish first or second on the team in appearances.

He’s at an age when sabermatricians waive a red flag, but on the field, there’s simply no sign of slowing. He hasn't had a bad season since '99. He was smoking good the final three months of '06, holding hitters to a lights-out .135 average in August and September. He finished 4-4 with a 3.54 ERA and 12 saves, limiting batters to a .226 average. That’s so much better than Arthur Rhodes. In fact, it was so much better than most non-closers. He ranked 12th among all NL relievers, according to Hardball Times Win Shares.

Enough with the wishy-washy endorsements for players with baggage who cost a boatload. While other matters are settled, outbid the others for this guy.

DN: Burrell would accept trade to Giants

Pat Burrell could be asked to switch to first base in a possible scenario that would send the left fielder to San Francisco.

Okay. We’ve established a third team on Pat Burrell’s short list. The previous two – the Yankees and Red Sox – don’t need him. But San Francisco could use him. The Giants are expected to part with nearly all of their high-price hitters, a list that includes Barry Bonds, Moises Alou, Pedro Feliz, Shea Hillenbrand, Steve Finley and Ray Durham.

With that in mind, it would be make sense for the Phillies to get something they actually need in return, like pitching. Hayes’ article mentioned closer Armando Benitez as a possible return, the combative right-hander who’s owed $7.5 million next season and has arthritic knees. He pitched only 41 games last season.

With the exception of Frank Thomas with Oakland, an organization that has a much better grasp on talent than the Phillies, acquiring another team’s broken down garbage generally doesn’t work. The Giants roster is not deep, but for any deal involving Burrell, who would provide the Giants with 25-30 homers and good OBP at first base for two seasons, or even in plain-old left field for two seasons, their asking price should start with 26-year-old left-hander Noah Lowry. They're also sitting on some attractive prospects, including left-hander Jonathan Sanchez. At some point, Pat Gillick must get out of the wholesale liquidation business. This could be his opportunity.

Dellucci, Lieberthal, Fultz earn Type A status

The Elias Sports Bureau has released its 2005-2006 player rankings, which determine what draft picks are used as compensation for free agents.

In something of a surprise, outfielder David Dellucci and left-hander Aaron Fultz both earned Type A status, meaning, they ranked among the top 30 percent in their position grouping, and will earn the Phillies an amateur draft pick from a signing club as compensation. Catcher Mike Lieberthal also ranked as a Type A free agent. Arthur Rhodes is a Type B, and Rick White is listed as a Type C.

Data is compiled over the last two seasons, combining statistics such as batting average, plate appearances, home runs and runs batted in for hitters, and starts, innings, earned-run average, saves and strikeouts for pitchers. The statistics vary from position to position.

Beerleaguer take: Contract jargon is not my bread and butter, but I’ll do my best to put this news in perspective. Feel free to chime in if I've overlooked something.

Had this been 2007, Dellucci and Fultz would have likely become Type B free agents. Because of the new collective bargaining agreement, Type A free agents will be redefined to top 20 percent at position (from top 30 percent) beginning in 2007. The new rules for Type B and C take effect this season. Dellucci, in particular, made the Type A cutoff by the skin of his teeth. Fultz, on the other hand, ranked much higher at his position, 30 out of 43 Type A relievers, which is just a little silly to me.

For someone like Dellucci, who the Phillies have expressed interest in retaining, his Type A status could make him a little more unattractive to potential bidders because of the compensation draft picks, and it’s almost a lock the Phillies will offer him arbitration to insure themselves some compensation.

What does that mean? Honestly, I needed to do a little research, and came across this 2001 article by Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus which put it all in perspective. As it turns out, offering arbitration to a free agent is a fairly simple process, with a clear outcome, he writes.

• Offer arbitration, and you can continue negotiating with that player, while assuring yourself compensatory draft picks if the players signs with another team.
• Decline to offer arbitration, and effectively end your relationship with him (the player cannot rejoin your team until May 1), while forfeiting the right to compensation.

"If a team offers arbitration, the player has a couple of weeks to decide whether to accept it. If he does, he is considered to be that team's property again, returns to their 40-man roster, and the two parties can negotiate or have a hearing in February to determine compensation. If he declines, then he only has until early January to reach an agreement with his old team, or he cannot return to them until May 15.

"Let's take a look at the first possibility, the one in which the team elects to offer arbitration. There are three potential outcomes:

• The player accepts. The team is committed to a one-year deal at, in a worst-case scenario, the player’s salary request in arbitration.
• The player declines. The team has a few weeks to sign the player, but will receive compensatory draft picks if unable to do so, assuming the player signs elsewhere.
• The player signs elsewhere before the deadline. The team will receive compensatory draft picks from the signing team.

"That's it. The last two are essentially the same, so for the team, the worst thing that can happen is they go to arbitration with the player is a one-year commitment, and they're guaranteed to get something back if the player goes elsewhere. Of course, all free agents good enough to require compensation are looking for the security of a multi-year contract, so the risk of going to arbitration is minimal."

From the Phillies perspective, it’s kind of a win-win. Dellucci is someone they could use next season in a platoon or off the bench, if he were to accept a one-year commitment. Plus, he’s attractive in a trade, just as he was last season when no less than 10 teams scouted him at the trade deadline. If he signs elsewhere, which seems more likely, the Phillies get compensated with picks.

Meanwhile, it would make little sense to offer arbitration to Mike Lieberthal. The team could get saddled with a one-year, $7 million deal if he accepts. It would be better to just let him walk and forget the picks.

The team faces a tough situation with Aaron Fultz, whose Type A status may not be a blessing. They may or may not offer arbitration. The problem is, it’s less likely a team will take a chance on him and relinquish a first-round pick, and at his age, he may not be a player the Phillies necessarily want back, even for one year.

The biggest story of the offseason is their outfield situation. The latest news is that Aaron Rowand and the Phils both declined their options, and will renegotiate or head to arbitration on a deal somewhere in the $4-4.5 million range. To a greater degree than Dellucci, Rowand could be valuable to have and to hold, or trade away to a team like the White Sox who need help in center field.

Either way, outfield does not appear flexible enough at this stage to add someone the likes of Alfonso Soriano. Yeah, they’re going to make a preliminary offer, but the reality is they have other business to settle first. The Phillies are facing three separate contract situations in their outfield, including Pat Burrell’s remaining $27 million.