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Beer nuts: Brito wins top North American prize

Pitching this winter in the Dominican Republic, Phillies pitcher Eude Brito may be unaware of his connection to international super-stardom.

Ruth A. Hartman’s Corriedale ram, Brito, was named the best in breed at the National Corriedale Show at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky. The ram is named after the Phillies left-hander. [Link]

Why Brito? As it turns out, the 80-year-old Exeter Township farmer is a serious baseball fan. Hartman was a member of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in the 1940s, and is enshrined in a special section of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Brito, who's taking a more indirect route to the HOF, pitched for the Reading Phillies in 2004. Brito, the ram, continues to enjoy a healthy, happy existence on Hartman’s five-acre sheep farm in Berks County.

No shortage of independent league graduates
“Where would the Phillies' farm system be without the indie leagues?” asks Beerleaguer senior correspondent Martin Smith. “I’m sure I'm missing some, but here are the guys looking for Ottawa playing time who spent time in indie ball: Victor Hall; Brian Mazone; Jim Crowell; Kane Davis; Jeff Farnsworth; Jim Rushford; Pedro Swann; Gary Burnham; Evan Tartagia; Charlie Weatherby; Greg
Jacobs; Allen Davis; Tim McClaskey; Nick Mattioni. That’s a large number.”

Seeking Philadelphia baseball card shops
Once in a while - primarily when the wife is out of town - I indulge my geeky pastimes. Rather than fill my Phillies baseball card collection piecemeal through eBay, which is what I’ve done in the past, I’m looking for a good shop in the Philadelphia region. I’m not a big collector, nor do I seek high-value cards such as Ryan Howard's rookie. Instead, I value team representation, as in, cards for every player. This time around, I’m searching for players like Matt Smith, Rod Barajas, Carlos Ruiz, Clay Condrey, Brian Sanches and an assortment of prospects. I recently acquired Fabio Castro’s Topps Phillies Debut card for $0.99 off eBay. I basked in its glory for several days.

Report: Zito, Giants agree on monster 7-year deal

The free agent left-hander will earn $126-million to stay on the West Coast, according to baseball officials.

The Mets, Rangers, Mariners, Angels and Yankees were the other teams reportedly interested in Zito. This is all good news for the Phillies. Zito stays away from their chief rival, plus, the Phillies could revisit discussions about moving Jon Lieber to Texas for bullpen help. The Rangers' rotation looks weak, with former Phillie Robinson Tejeda currently penciled into the No. 4 slot.

ZIPS projecting better season from Lieber

Baseball Think Factory’s computer-simulated season, based on projected performance, uncovered a few surprises in the Phillies 2007 rotation, including marked improvement from right-hander Jon Lieber.

BTF, which releases ZIPs annually for each team, is forecasting a 4.43 ERA and 114/33 K/BB ratio over 193.0 innings for the 37-year-old right-hander. That’s notably better than Adam Eaton; they see him at 4.72 ERA over just 141.0 innings, with a 104/44 K/BB ratio.

The biggest disappointment might be Brett Myers, who’s projected for a slight dip. BTF sees a 4.08 ERA over 205 innings with 31 home runs allowed, with a 186/64 K/BB ratio. Production like this would roughly place him just inside the top 20 of starting pitchers in the National Leauge. It's good, but maybe not what what some expect from the 26-year-old. They list Steve Rogers and Mike Witt as his top comps.

Cole Hamels, still 23, is expected to have the best pound-for-pound season of any starter; they see him at 3.78 ERA with 169 Ks in 162 innings. The biggest surprise could be 44-year-old left-hander Jamie Moyer, expected to hold his own to the tune of a 4.30 ERA over 201 innings.

And for all you Chris Coste fans, one poster summed up his projection this way. "Chris Coste, meet Earth. Earth, this is Chris Coste." Check out Coste, Freddy Garcia, Ryan Howard and the rest of the projections here.

Collier, Abernathy ink minor deals, receive invites

Infielder Lou Collier, 33, returns to the Phillies after spending two seasons in the Orient. Brent Abernathy, 29, has seen time with Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Minnesota. Both have been invited to Spring Training. They also signed relievers Charlie Weatherby and Tom Gornati to minor league deals. [Link]

Lou Collier went MIA after a productive 2004 season in Scranton, until Beerleaguer reader George S. alerted us to his presence somewhere in the far east. His status was verified by Collier’s high school coach in a comment thread. Indeed, Collier was in Korea, playing for the Lucky Goldstar Twins. 

The quintessential AAAA tweener, Collier last hit an impressive .326 with 14 HR and 66 RBI in affiliated ball. That was 2004 in Scranton, good enough to earn a late-season cup of coffee with the Phils. In 713 Major League at bats, he’s a .241/.317/.341 hitter with eight homers. He’ll likely return to Ottawa, which is where he put up one of his best seasons in 2002. Keep the passport handy, Lou.

The same goes for Abernathy, who gives the Phils some minor league depth at second in case Chase Utley goes down. The former 2nd round pick of the Blue Jays is a career .301 minor league hitter, with 868 Major League at bats (.244/.297/.325). He spent all of last season with Triple-A Nashville (Milwaukee) and hit .287/.345/.358 in 125 games.   

According to my calculations, right-hander Charlie Weatherby has officially become the first Lancaster Barnstormer (Independent) to sign with the Phils. A number of ex-Phils have drifted the other way, including Danny Gonzalez and Reggie Taylor, and they currently employ Rick Wise as their pitching coach. The 28-year-old closer was 4th in the independent Atlantic League in saves (15) and second in games (63). In five minor league seasons, he’s 12-13 with a 3.60 ERA, almost entirely in relief. No passport required, but $3 in toll money is recommended to meet the Philadelphia bosses.

As for Gornati, 25, the right-hander spent last season with Single-A Dunedin (Toronto), going 2-3 with a 3.94 ERA, striking out 41 batters in 40 games. He is a University of Pittsburgh product and a native of St. Mary’s, Pa. A couple bucks in tolls and a sack lunch are recommended.

Barry Zito saga continues for Mets fans

Matthew Cerrone, author of MetsBlog.com, believes the race for free agent Barry Zito will come down to a sixth season. Do the Mets have what it takes, or are the Phillies in the clear?

We’re overdue for a peek at the Mets and their pursuit of Barry Zito. MetsBlog.com is my only daily non-Phillies read, and I know Cerrone checks in from time to time. It’s a superb site if you haven’t visited; it's inked on the right sidebar.

I’ve been following the Zito saga with trepidation, as the outcome has serious implications for the Phils. I have little desire to watch Zito face Ryan Howard and Chase Utley four or five times a season, for the next six seasons.

The Phillies were never in play for the free agent left-hander, but his situation could become one of the key offseason developments. With that in mind, it's probably time to turn our attention outward, rather than debate whether Chris Coste’s roster spot will be lost to a Rule 5 pick (it might).

If signed, Zito has one purpose: Steamroll the NL East and take care of unfinished business in the playoffs (technically two purposes). On Metsblog, they’re tracking his every move like paparazzi. The Mets, Rangers, Giants, Mariners, and as some have suggested, the Yankees, are reportedly in the hunt for the former Cy Young winner. This is more competition than expected. Frankly, I thought the Mets would have it wrapped up by now.

According to multiple reports, the Yankees are open to trading Randy Johnson, who is entering the final year of a three-year, $48 million contract. Several New York papers are suggesting the Yankees are making him available so they can pursue Zito, but I tend to think the spot could easily be reserved for Roger Clemens.

Either way, you can sense the fear on MetsBlog. Their lineup is complete, but the rotation is not. An offseason without Zito would be viewed as a failure, even though they’re still in the driver’s seat for the division ... but that could be it.

Texas has been their primary hot stove threat for Zito, but I don’t see a match, and neither does Cerrone. He passes word that the Rangers may prefer Mark Mulder "who, when coupled up with their recent acquisition of Brandon McCarthy, would allow them to officially pass on Zito."

Cerrone perceptively sums up the situation this way: The race for Zito may be more like a race to a six-year deal.

"… as a Mets fan, i still fear the Giants, since they are a national league team near zito’s home…the thing is, as i wrote on friday, it is pretty obvious that the Mets want zito and that he wants the Mets…with the Rangers pulling back a bit, be it realistically, or simply in confidence, this certainly puts the Mets, and Giants, though, in a better position…"

Around the horn: Suppan signs with Brewers

Not a creature was stiring in Philadelphia, but in Milwaukee, there arose such a clatter last night as the Brewers put Jeff Suppan under the tree, to the tune of four-years, $42 million.

I guess it’s the part about six teams in 12 seasons, including Kansas City and Pittsburgh. Suppan always struck me as a journeyman. No pitcher is added and dropped more times in our fantasy league.

But that’s selling him short. The 32-year-old right-hander has amassed four consecutive solid seasons, including three good years with St. Louis, in which he’s earned 44 wins. The reigning NLCS MVP isn’t someone I think about much until the pennant race, and the Brewers will be glad to have him for that reason. He’s excellent down the stretch. The Brewers are starting to look like a small force in the NL Central, and Suppan will fit well with their rotation, which includes Chris Capuano, Ben Sheets, Dave Bush and Claudio Vargas. I like them better than Houston. Despite spending $100 million on Carlos Lee, the Astros still look mediocre. And I like Milwaukee a whole lot more than Cincinnati. The Reds early dominance of '06 was a stone-cold fluke.

Suppan's signing puts pressure on a number of teams still searching for top pitching, including the Mets, believed to be targeting Suppan as a backup plan in case they can’t sign Barry Zito. Over on Metsblog.com, interest in Suppan was lukewarm. Their entire offseason agenda revolves around Zito.

Suppan is the owner of a career 106-101 record with a 4.60 ERA in 317 games. Hardball Times ranks him as the 21st best SP in the NL, according to Win Shares, including a 108 ERA+. That’s following a season when it reached 118+, which is quite solid.

Minor league transaction news
It’s a fun time of year to see where baseball’s bottom feeders have signed for 2006. For example, former farmhand Anderson Machado, who was part of the Todd Jones deal of 2004, is back with Cincinnati. Here’s a player whose entire career is based on soft-handed defense. It has to be; he swings the bat like Heidi. Machadao is the owner of a .227/.335/.333 minor league line and has distinction of walking 108 times while striking out 128 times all in the same season (Double-A Reading).

Other ex-Phillies switching sides include infielder Bobby Scales, who signed with Boston, defense-challenged John Castellano, now with Pittsburgh, RHP Jeremy Cummings, who signed with Minnesota, and RHP Eric Junge, also with the Reds.

Aubrey Huff seeking three-year deal
According to an industry source cited by the Baltimore Sun, free agent outfielder Aubrey Huff is looking for a three-year deal worth around $23 million. Huff is considered the best free agent hitter still on the market, and has been discussed here as a possibility for right field. Huff, the former Devil Ray and Astro, has averaged about 90 RBIs a season since 2003.

Phillies announce winter tour
The Phillies Web site has all the details on the 2007 Winter Tour. Once again, the King of Baseballtown Banquet in Reading is on the docket, and figures to be a good opportunity for this writer to get a few interviews. In general, there are more autograph sessions scheduled throughout the region and less media events than last year, when newly hired GM Pat Gillick made his rounds.

Conine shipped to Reds for minor league pair

The move could pave the way for a free agent signing, or to a lesser extent, open the door for Michael Bourn or Chris Roberson. [Link]

Conine, 40, was due to make $2 million this season and was expected to be nothing more than a fifth outfielder. With the addition of Jayson Werth, a younger, faster right-handed outfielder, along with the displacement of Chris Coste, Conine meant too many cooks in the kitchen on the Phillies bench. The veteran was acquired last season after the non-waiver trade deadline and did a serviceable job down the stretch. Right now, Michael Bourn or Chris Roberson figure to be lined up for the final outfield slot temporarily, with left-handed hitters Aubrey Huff and Trot Nixon still on the FA board.

Conine hit .268 last season with 10 homers and 66 RBI for Baltimore and Philadelphia. The Phillies will receive infielder Brad Key, 23, and outfielder Javon Moran, 24, according to a Cincinnati Web site. Neither are highly touted, although Moran was originally a 5th round selection of the Phillies in the 2003 draft and was part of the Cory Lidle deal in 2004. In four minor league seasons, the Auburn product has 124 steals and a .741 OPS, primarily in Single-A.

The AP report makes no mention of whether the Reds will pick up Conine's entire contract. Including Rod Barajas, the Phillies still have four open spots on their 40-man roster.

Barajas deal expected to be 1-year, $2.5M

According to this morning's stories, the eight-year veteran will take less than he was reportedly set to earn with Toronto, who offered him a two-year, $5.25 million deal last month to be the starter.

According to the Phillies Web site, the deal is designed to take pressure off Carlos Ruiz and shift Chris Coste into a pinch hitter, backup infielder role. Barajas reportedly chose the Phillies over the Rockies and Rangers.

December minor league transaction update
In addition to the non-roster invitees from last week, the Phillies added a shortstop and first baseman.

Here are the complete signings, as listed in Baseball America: Signed RHP Ryan Cameron; RHP John Ennis; LHP Jim Crowell; C Jason Hill; SS Andrew Beattie. New additions, that weren’t included as non-roster invitees include 1B Juan Tejeda and SS Peter Shier.

Shier was a 9th round draft pick of the Orioles in 1999 and has never made it past Double-A. In seven minor league seasons, he’s a .264/.345/.364 hitter. Tejeda signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tigers in 1999 and saw action at Triple-A Norfolk last season, hitting .217/.271/.289 with two home runs in 152 at bats. Over his career, the right-handed Dominican has shown more power than that, hitting 23 homers for Double-A Erie in 2004. In eight minor league seasons, he’s a .287/.356/.452 hitter.

Shier and Tejeda figure to round out the rosters at the Double-A level or lower.

Roberson picking up the slack in Mexico
After a horrible start, Chris Roberson rode a hitting streak this month to lift his batting average to .275. The switch-hitting backup is hitting about .400 in his last 10 games.

Castro, Simon missing bats with Cibao
Fabio Castro, the pint-sized Rule 5 pick of last season, might be more familiar to Phillies fans, but his fireball Cibao teammate Alfredo Simon, a Rule 5 acquisition of the Phillies this season, has been equally impressive this winter. That’s no small feat. After 29 innings, the live-armed Castro is 1-2 with 30 strikeouts and a 1.86 ERA, having allowed 21 walks. Opponents are batting just .165 against him.

The 25-year-old Simon, who’s being used in a similar role as a short-inning starter, has matched him pitch-for-pitch. After 28 1-3 innings, Simon is holding a 0.86 ERA with 17 strikeouts to just 8 walks, with a .177 BAA.

Ciabo’s roster is filled with farmhands past and present, including Travis Minix, Aquilio Lopez, Martire Franco, Julio de la Cruz, Juan Sosa and others. Sosa, an infielder, is having a monster winter, hitting .321 with a .372 OBP.

Brito not shabby, either
(Update from this a.m.) Left-hander Eude Brito is having his own big winter in the Dominican. Pitching with the Azucareros del Este, Brito has a 0.96 ERA over 18 2-3 innings. Phillies.com also ran their winter update today: [Link]

Book Swap
Following last week's spontaneous discussion, a new and used book section has been added to the right sidebar, compiled with your recommendations.

Report: Phils reach agreement with Rod Barajas

Citing a baseball source, the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting the 31-year-old catcher will receive a one-year contract with an option for a second year, physical pending.

Beerleaguer: This deal is more palatable now that it's reportedly running for one season, and kudos to the Phillies for keeping yet another free agent signing to within reason (details pending). It's also a small show of faith in what they already have in Carlos Ruiz and Jason Jaramillo, plus the option buys them time if the in-house candidates flop. On the other hand, it verifies they have no faith in Chris Coste. Bajaras is a good defender and a skilled handler, and that's all they needed. If all goes well for Ruiz, who has the potential to be a better offensive performer, expect a fairly even split with Barajas by the end of the season, with Barajas seeing most of the early action. The drawbacks are the same as discussed in the previous thread. Barajas' low on-base percentage and poor speed could develop into another bottom-lineup, black hole situation, and Manuel is known to stick with struggling veterans to the bitter end.

In other news, The Phillies finalized their deal with outfielder Jayson Werth, who signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with performance bonuses.

Backup C watch: Phillies negotiating with Barajas?

According to sources cited by the Dallas Morning News, Texas free agent Rod Barajas is deciding between the Phillies and Rockies.

Our local addition also suggests the Phillies are closing in on a backup. Marcus Hayes said in this morning’s Daily News that the "Phillies appeared to be close to signing a backup last night."

Barajas, 31, split time behind the plate in 2006 and hit .256/.298/.410 with 11 home runs, a significant drop from his 2005 production (21 homers, .466 SLG). Hard Ball times rated him as the 14th-most productive catcher in the AL, according to Win Shares. If added, Barajas would figure to split time with Carlos Ruiz.

Beerleaguer: It’s a shame the Phillies couldn’t land Toby Hall, because now they're in position to shell out more than this role is truly worth. Barajas isn’t that good, and earned $3.2 million last season. He’ll likely ride his 2005 campaign (21 homers, .466 SLG) to a nice free agent payday, with more years than he deserves. Fortunately, he is a Type B free agent. Carlos Ruiz is a pretty good looking young player, and so is Jason Jaramillo. Barajas is a good defender, but a shallow hitter and is getting on in years. He doesn’t get on base and is an all-or-nothing hitter. His career .692 OPS stinks. Then there’s this question of "Why not Chris Coste?"

Report: Phillies reach agreement with Jayson Werth

The 27-year-old outfielder missed almost two seasons with a wrist injury and was released by the Dodgers a week ago. Werth will have to pass a physical before he signs on the dotted line, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. (Update: The signing is officially a one-year deal and was finalized today, according to the Phillies Web site.)

Werth was a No. 1 pick of Baltimore (1997) back when Pat Gillick was GM and came up as a catcher. He earned $355,000 last season and didn't play a single game. The Dodgers tried to negotiate a contract rather than head to arbitration, but couldn’t reach an agreement.

The right-handed hitting outfielder suffered a broken wrist when he was hit by a pitch in spring training of 2005 and hasn't been the same since. He battled through 102 games that season, hitting just .234/.338/.374 before undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in the wrist. He missed the entire 2006 season and recently told his hometown paper he still has soreness, but expects to be ready this spring.

Werth had his best season in 2004, when he hit .265/.338/.486 with 16 homers in 325 ABs. The former catching prospect earned high marks for his defense that season, including time in center field.

Beerleaguer: Werth, a trim 6-5 athlete, always looked like an imposing figure at the plate. Gillick hasn’t been discreet about his love for ex-players, and athletes, and that’s Werth all the way.

We have to wait on what kind of deal this is, and also the result of the physical. I’m guessing on the one-year major league variety with incentives, with a possible option. I say that because St. Louis, San Diego and the Dodgers all reportedly had interest, so they’re not going to woo him with a non-roster invite or minor league deal.

If it turns out to be a major league deal, with nothing else on the way in terms of a LH outfielder, it's a little suspect. The Phillies are probably trying to establish some young depth 1-through-5, and Werth gives them a major-league ready option at a bargain price ... but only if he's healthy. A wrist injury can be a bitch.

Either way, Jeff Conine’s status as a fifth outfielder might be on shaky ground. He’s turning 41 next season, can't run and can't defend the way Werth can. It's even worse news for Chris Roberson, who might be squeezed out by the sudden surplus of defensive outfielders.

Phillies purchase contract of Northern League OF

Greg Jacobs, 30, was voted the league’s best defensive player in 2006, while posting the second-highest on-base percentage (.444) and third-best slugging percentage (.571) in the independent Northern League.

You’ll never guess where Jacobs last played affiliated ball. Here's a clue: Bobby Livingston. If you guessed Tacoma, Triple-A affiliate of the vaunted Seattle Mariners, you earn a gold star.

Jacobs, a left-hand hitting outfielder, packs an interesting resume. He began his career as a pitcher in the Anaheim system (1998-2001) before switching to outfield and eventually landing in the Seattle farm system (2003-2005).

For the past two seasons, Jacobs posted sick numbers for the independent Kansas City T-Bones. He finished second in the Northern League's batting race with a .333 average in 89 games. He has some pop, hitting 15 homers with 64 RBIs. Apparently a slick defender, Jacobs also led the league with 15 outfield assists. Check out his bio [here].

Season retrospective: Luck wasn't on their side

Better pitching and defense top the Phillies’ list of tangible improvements for next season, but it wouldn't hurt if just a few more chips fell their way.

The 2006 season is just a blip on the dusking horizon. Enough time has passed where the sturdy cartography of numbers has overtaken fleeting first-hand observation. Transactions, player comparisons and so forth are laid bare with Xs and Os instead of anecdotal evidence. Every detail helps when trying to figure out why the Phillies have missed to postseason the last two seasons, by a combined total of four games.

Luck is one area that has escaped statistical sabotage, and probably one of the few remaining avenues where first-hand observation can go largely unchallenged. Though inroads have been made to eliminate chance – a statistic like BABIP (batting average of balls in play) comes to mind – a good deal remains uncounted.

A good rule of thumb is that over a 162-game season, luck will level out. That didn’t happen for the Phils in 2006. They were victims more than benefactors. Chase Utley is the face of misfortune. The blown home run call in the first game of the Washington series (Sept. 26) might have been the backbreaking moment of the season.

I remeber thinking that if the Phillies made the playoffs, their offense was mentally prepared for anything. They faced considerable adversity since opening day, overcame a mid-season fire sale, and had the guts to grind back into contention. Despite the highest run-scoring offense in the National League, they played from behind constantly. It's the most tangible measure of heart when it comes to this team.

But it wasn't luck that ultimately did them in; it was pitching. However, the fates are still worth consideration. It’s tough to recall a single season where bad weather, timed with injury and fatigue, fouled a team’s pitching staff so often. The double-headers almost always played to the other team’s favor. Twin bills are difficult to sweep, even if they are against inferior opponents, like Atlanta, who managed to take 2-of-2 in a heart-wrenching four-game series with the Phils back on Sept. 3.

It’s still surprising that Scott Mathieson started eight games. When did that happen? As it turns out, smack in the middle of a Wild Card race. He pitched well in one of them – an eight-inning gem against New York. He was bombed the rest ... then his elbow snapped.

No matter how overmatched the 22-year-old was, there’s a string of bad luck here; the Phillies didn’t get lucky with any of their starting risks, not even a little. Eude Brito and Adam Bernero tanked in their starts. In 2005, they caught lightning in a bottle from a similar pitching gamble, Robinson Tejeda, the 24-year-old mystery who improbably pitched over his head for a couple of weeks and kept the Phillies in the hunt.

There were very few Tejedas this season, and none in the starting rotation. They didn’t find fortune with many of their bench gambles, either, all except Chris Coste late in the year and David Dellucci for the two weeks after the Bobby Abreu trade. Bullpen-wise, Rick White and Matt Smith didn’t hurt them, and neither did Fabio Castro, but those were typically 10-4 blowouts.

Regardless of their pedigree, track record, etc. - charitably considered below average at best - you’d figure at least one of the following would get hot, even a little: Alex Gonzalez; Sal Fasano; Ryan Franklin; Abraham Nunez; Chris Roberson; Brian Sanches; Julio Santana; Arthur Rhodes. They were all failures, to varying degrees. The buck stops at Pat Gillick, but even his staunchest critic must be astounded at the totallity of these flops.

Gavin Floyd and Ryan Madson have been omitted for one reason: despite their poor performance, they both managed winning records. That's lucky. Floyd went 4-3, and Madson went 11-9 splitting service as a starter and in the bullpen. They can thank their offense, and in particular, Floyd can thank Aaron Rowand for making "the catch." Otherwise, his final Phillies season would have rested at .500.

The Phillies are drawing closer to 2007, and if they take anything with them, apart from heart, it’s the idea that luck does indeed wash out.

It’s just taking longer.

Baseball nullifies Bobby Livingston acquisition

The Reds have been rewarded with the 24-year-old left-hander after baseball rules the Devil Rays cheated when they claimed him off waivers, then sold him to the Phillies.

The Devil Rays claimed Livingston from Seattle on Tuesday, then sent him to Philadelphia for cash. Livingston spent most of 2006 with Triple-A Tacoma, going 8-11 with a 4.59 ERA in 23 games, including 22 starts. The Phillies acquired him for pitching depth, with the belief he could audition for a spot in their bullpen. The Reds have already added him to their 40-man roster.

Marcus Giles tops list of MLB non-tenders

It’s been a busy stretch at Beerleaguer HQ, and it’s fortunate the Phillies hot stove has cooled. In the interest of starting a new thread, here’s the official MLB non-tender list.

As expected, the Phillies will head to arbitration with all their eligible players. Expect few surprises, although the team could attempt to secure Chase Utley past the point when he becomes a free agent.

The club might have been hoping for some better names to shake loose around baseball, particularly in the area of veteran catcher and in the outfield. The biggest name to fall was Braves second baseman Marcus Giles. Here's a guy who hit 21 homers a couple seasons back and was a proverbial top 2B pick in fantasy leagues. Last season, the Braves handed him the leadoff spot for the entire season when they lost Rafael Furcal to the Dodgers, and he basically fell on his face, slugging a mere .387.

So what’s the deal? The Braves attempted to trade him at the winter meetings, but reports said interest was "tepid, at best." There is a general belief his best years are behind him, plus, there was some thought he’d become available anyway. The Atlanta paper is calling this a financial decision based on Giles’ declined production and rising salary, which would have been close to $6 million if the Braves tendered him a contract. Giles becomes a free agent after the 2007 season.

For now, he's unemployed (not for long probably). He and brother Brian always struck me as a little unnaturally powerful for players their size. Last season, it was my observation that Giles, a former 53rd round draft pick, looked positively tiny.

The Phillies, of course, have no interest. Here's the list of the other non-tendered players.

Angels: Jason Bulger, RHP; A's: Jerome Williams, RHP; Mariners: Joel Pineiro, RHP; Orioles: David Newman, OF; Aaron Rakers, RHP; Todd Williams, RHP; Rangers: Mike Wood, RHP; Rays: Damon Hollins, OF; Royals: Scott Dohmann, RHP; Brandon Duckworth, RHP; Tigers: Alexis Gomez, OF; Twins: Luis Rodriguez, INF; Willie Eyre, RHP; White Sox: Eduardo Sierra, RHP; Yankees: Aaron Guiel, OF; Braves: Marcus Giles, 2B; Chris Reitsma, RHP; Cardinals: Rick Ankiel, OF; Jorge Sosa, RHP; Cubs: Jose Reyes, C; Adam Harben, RHP; Dodgers: Toby Hall, C; Jayson Werth, OF; Mets: Victor Zambrano, RHP; Padres: Jon Knott, OF; Reds: Brandon Claussen, LHP; Miguel Perez, C; Rockies: Chin-hui Tsao, RHP.

Based on their needs, the Phillies might look at left-hand hitting Aaron Guiel, who was a nice late-season addition for the Yanks. Personally, I'd prefer a bat with better beef. Toby Hall could be given consideration for a backup catcher role. Pitcher Jorge Sosa went 13-3 in 2005, but lost his mojo once Leo Mazzone left town. Jerome Williams is a talented but wildly inconsistent pitcher they could also consider for insurance purposes.

Phillies acquire LHP Bobby Livingston for cash

The 24-year-old left-hander spent most of 2006 with Triple-A Tacoma, going 8-11 with a 4.59 ERA in 23 games, including 22 starts. The 6-3 Texan was originally a fourth round pick for Pat Gillick’s exalted Seattle dynasty.

I won’t pretend to know much about Livingston apart from a Google search, but Gillick must have been keeping a book an inch thick on this former pick. Livingston was a teammate of Gavin Floyd this fall, which is where Gillick and company have spent plenty of time sipping cocktails since the season. The report suggests he was in the team's crosshairs before they lost him to the Devil Rays who claimed him after Seattle placed him on waivers. The Phillies then sent an undisclosed amount of cash to the D-Rays. The quote in the news release indicate he'll get a look in the bullpen, and being a left-hander, he damn well should.

Sarcasm aside, it’s a nice addition to their spring inventory, even if he’s another ex-Mariner. He young, he’s a lefty and has not been tested in relief. He struggled in Arizona, finishing with an ERA over 10 in 6 appearances. He was also torched in his cup-o-coffee with the M's back in May. However, he ended his regular season quite strong, posting a 3.09 ERA over his last five starts with Tacoma.

One wonders why he became available. Livingston has been a sound minor league pitcher and was held in fairly high regard early in his career, even posting a 141/30 K/BB ratio in high Class-A. At this stage, his best trait may be his durability, pitching into the high-100 IP each season. He’s probably at the point where a shot in bullpen is the next best step, because he's kind of reached a plateau as a starter. The Phillies are fortunate to get him while he's still young. New teammate Matt Smith is a fair comparison. The 27-year-old left-hander was converted to reliever at about this stage.

Based on the scouting reports, he doesn’t have Smith’s stuff. He’s not a hard thrower and relies on a plus change and hitting his spots. Prior to the 2005 season, Baseball America rated him as having the best control of any pitcher in the Mariners' system. The photo above was taken mid-summer, so it looks like he’s filled in past his 6-3, 190 media guide measurements. The reports praise his poise and ability to shake off adversity, which is an important characteristic for any reliever.

Phillies announce 19 non-roster spring invitees

In something of an annual winter tradition here on Beerleaguer, it is with great pleasure to copy/paste the list of 2007 Phillies non-roster spring training invitees. Here they are, in glorious publication-ready form.

Andrew Beattie, inf: Beattie, 29, spent 2006 with Triple-A Sacramento and hit .269 with six home runs and 30 RBI in just 44 games due to an injury to his left thumb. Born in Philadelphia, Beattie had his best season in 2002, when he hit a combined 21 home runs and had 81 RBI in 135 games for Stockton and Chattanooga.

Joe Bisenius, rhp: Bisenius went 8-3 with a 2.25 ERA in 51 combined games between single-A Clearwater and double-A Reading in 2006. The 24-year-old compiled 95 strikeouts in 84.0 innings (10.2 SO/9.0 IP). Bisenius was originally a 12th-round selection by the Phillies in the 2004 draft.

Ron Calloway, of: A veteran of 10 professional seasons, Calloway hit .288 with four home runs and 49 RBI in 114 games for triple-A Pawtucket in 2006. The 30-year-old spent 2003 and part of 2004 with the Expos where he compiled a .224 average with 10 home runs and 62 RBI in 172 major league games.

Ryan Cameron, rhp: Cameron, 29, went to camp with the Phillies last spring and spent the season with triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he went 6-2 with seven saves and a 3.19 ERA in 45 games (one start). He also pitched 3.0 scoreless innings in the International League playoffs.

Jim Crowell, lhp: Crowell has spent four of the past five seasons in the Phillies organization, including 2006, when he went 2-3 with a 3.67 ERA in 40 appearances (7 starts) for triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Crowell, 32, pitched in four games for the Phillies in 2004 and two games for the Reds in 1997.

Kane Davis, rhp: Davis, 31, pitched in 13 games for Somerset of the independent Atlantic League in 2006, going 0-0 with a 4.20 ERA. He has appeared in 96 major league games for the Indians, Brewers, Rockies and Mets. In 2000, Davis pitched in five games for Cleveland under manager Charlie Manuel.

Kyle Drabek, rhp: The first-round selection by the Phillies in the 2006 draft, Drabek made his professional debut with the rookie-level Gulf Coast Phillies this past summer and compiled a 1-3 record with a 7.71 ERA in six starts. The 19-year-old is the son of former major league pitcher Doug Drabek.

John Ennis, rhp: Ennis has spent the last three seasons in Detroit's minor league system, splitting 2006 between triple-A Toledo and double-A Erie. He went 2-4 with 13 saves and a 2.71 ERA in 46 games. Ennis, 27, spent part of the 2002 season with the Braves (0-0, 4.50) and part of 2004 with the Tigers (0-0, 8.44 ERA).

Jeff Farnsworth, rhp: Farnsworth, 31, went 7-3 with a 4.71 ERA in 48 appearances for triple-A Charlotte this past season. He spent the 2002 season in the major leagues with Detroit, going 2-3 with a 5.79 ERA in 44 games for the Tigers.

Greg Golson, of: Golson was the Phillies' first-round selection in the 2004 draft (21st overall). He batted a combined .233 with 13 home runs, 48 RBI and 30 stolen bases for single-A Lakewood and single-A Clearwater in 2006. Golson, 21, also hit for the cycle on August 28 at Bright House Networks Field.

Tim Gradoville, c: Gradoville has spent five seasons in the Phillies' minor league system after being selected by the club in the 37th round of the 2002 draft. He was limited to just 36 games in 2006 between triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and double-A Reading after breaking his jaw on a pitched ball. The 26-year-old hit a combined .252 with one home run and 12 RBI and led all Eastern League catchers in caught stealing percentage (52.9%, 18-for-34). Gradoville had his contract purchased by the Phillies in September, but did not appear in a major league game.

J.A. Happ, lhp: Happ made starts at three different levels for the Phillies in 2006, going a combined 10-9 with a 2.69 ERA in 26 starts at single-A Clearwater, double-A Reading and triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. A third-round selection by the Phillies in the 2004 draft, Happ, 24, struck out 162 batters in 160.2 innings (9.1 SO/9.0 IP).

Jason Hill, c: Hill split last season between triple-A Portland (Padres) and double-A Carolina (Marlins), hitting a combined .232 with three home runs and 33 RBI in 69 games. In addition to catching, the 29-year-old played 15 games at first base and three games in the outfield. In 2005, he batted .296 with 18 home runs and 75 RBI in 118 minor league games.

Jason Jaramillo, c: Jaramillo will be in big league camp for the second straight spring. He spent the 2006 season with double-A Reading, where he hit .248 with six home runs and 39 RBI. The 24-year-old also played for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League and was named to the AFL's All-Prospect Team after hitting .379 with two home runs and 17 RBI in 17 games.

Brennan King, 3b: Originally a second-round selection by the Dodgers in the 1999 draft, King, 25, played for triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2006. He hit .261 with 12 home runs and 48 RBI in 97 games for the Red Barons, including hitting a natural cycle on July 14, capping it off with a grand slam.

Lou Marson, c: The fourth-round selection by the Phillies in the 2004 draft, Marson is invited to his first major league camp. For single-A Lakewood this past season, the 20-year-old hit .243 with 16 doubles, five triples, four home runs and 39 RBI in 104 games, helping the club to the South Atlantic League championship.

Brian Mazone, lhp: Mazone spent the 2006 season in the Phillies organization, going a combined 14-6 with a 2.11 ERA in 26 starts with double-A Reading and triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Mazone, 30, led the International League in ERA (2.03) and tied for second in wins (13).

Randall Simon, 1b: Simon made his return to the major leagues this past season with the Phillies after being acquired from Texas in a trade. He appeared in 23 September games for the Phils, exclusively as a pinch-hitter (.238, 5-for-21). In his major league career, Simon, 31, is a .283 hitter with 49 home runs and 237 RBI in 537 games for the Braves, Tigers, Pirates, Cubs, Devil Rays and Phillies.

Dusty Wathan, c: Wathan returns for a second spring with the Phillies. The 33-year-old hit .239 with five home runs and 27 RBI in 80 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, including two extra-inning walk-off homers. Wathan has appeared in three major league games in his career, all with Kansas City in 2002.

Weekend wrap: Pirates looking at Lieber

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the bullpen-stocked Pirates could move 31-year-old Damaso Marte, who's owed $2.45 million.

If the winter hot stove was a game of Battleship, the Phillies will now shift their attack to three-peg cruisers and two-peg patrol boats, while teams like Boston and New York fire on five-peg aircraft carriers like Barry Zito and Daisuke Matsuzaka.

The Phillies are at DEFCON 4 – only slightly higher than peacetime military readiness. They will submerge, gather intelligence and hunt for a fleet of relievers, using floatation device Jon Lieber as bait. Then, they'll seek someone to replace David Dellucci, perhaps take a chance on a free agent reliever, sign a bench catcher and call it a successful campaign. They’ll listen to pings for Aaron Rowand and Pat Burrell, but won’t open their ballistic missile hatches just yet.

For teams still tracking a starter, a Lieber deal could hinge on Jeff Suppan’s situation; it’s been suggested that Pittsburgh, St. Louis and the Cubs are looking at the free agent right-hander. Houston could also become a possibility after allowing Andy Pettitte to slip back to New York. The Cardinals have reportedly offered Suppan a three-year deal for less that $8 million. Expect that number to rise following’s last week’s signings of Vicente Padilla, Ted Lilly and Gil Meche, pitchers considered to be in Suppan’s general range.

In terms of what he’d command on the open market, Lieber would probably fall under Suppan, based on what a team could expect in 2007. Pittsburgh has a nice selection of relief pitching, and are said to be dangling late-inning pitcher Damaso Marte. The Brewers and Rangers also are interested in Lieber, who’s due $7.5 million next season. Texas is believed to be dangling some combination of Scott Feldman, Ron Mahay and Joaquin Benoit. The Phillies and Brewers had a deal in place for Kevin Mench and Derrick Turnbow, which fell through after the Freddy Garcia deal.

For teams seeking starting pitching, Miguel Batista, Jeff Weaver, John Thomson, Mark Redman and David Wells are some of the top names who've yet to sign.

As for that outfielder from the left side, Ryan Church of Washington has been targeted, but the Nationals reportedly want too much, as in, Ryan Madson. The Phillies have rightfully declined; they’re in no position to deal relief pitching. They’ve talked with Aubrey Huff’s peeps, but Huff would probably prefer a starting role somewhere. Free agent Steve Finley was mentioned in one of the weekend articles, but Finley has always signed on the West Coast.

As for backup catcher, the job could go to any number of candidates, ranging from former Mariner Ben Davis to a young throw-in as part of a Lieber trade. Just about every article, including the latest Jim Salisbury organization report in Baseball America, names Carlos Ruiz as the starting catcher.

There’s still room for creativity. If Lieber is moved, they could look at Darren Oliver as a long-man possibilty, straight reliever or spot starter. J.C. Romero and Dustin Hermanson are still on the reliever board. Picthers like Tony Armas Jr., Tomo Ohka or Aaron Sele might work as relievers, insurance policies and deadline trade chips.

Phillies stuff their stocking with Rule 5 picks

Sidearm right-hander Jim Ed Warden and catch-and-throw backstop Ryan Budde are selected by the Phillies in the Rule 5 draft, as the Winter Meetings in Orlando come to a close. Fireball right-hander Alfredo Simon is acquired in a post-draft trade.

Pat Gillick’s excitement over the Rule 5 draft is well documented. This is how the former Toronto GM acquired George Bell from the Phillies back when he was Jorge Bell. It’s also how the Phils got outfielder Shane Victorino, and Fabio Castro went through the process last season.

A surprising number of major league relievers have been acquired this way, or by some other low-risk means like minor league free agency or even through the independent leagues. That statement would apply to both World Series teams, whose bullpens are peppered with pitchers like this. It’s still a longshot to find that kind of quality, but at the very least, it’s a nice way to boost inventory.

This season, the Phillies are wishing on two interesting bullpen possibilities with good arms and unique styles. Jim Ed Warden of Cleveland is a 6-7 low arm slot pitcher with a sinking fastball that hits 93 on the gun. The other is Alfredo Simon, who was originally part of the Phillies’ system until he was traded to the Giants, along with Ricky Ledee, in the Felix Rodriguez deal. Assistant GM Mike Arbuckle told reporters that Simon - once a highly regarded prospect - was touching 98 in Dominican Winter Ball.

The Giants have been trying to make it work with the 25-year-old as a starting pitcher, but Arbuckle told reporters they plan on testing him strickly for the bullpen. His situation resembles that of Chris Booker, last year’s Rule 5 selection who was supposed to have a good shot at making the club until injuries shut him down. He ended up back with Washington after a brief stop in Kansas City.

Arm troubles have hindered Simon over the past two seasons; his combined numbers with Class-A San Jose and Triple-A Fresno were 88 1-3 innings, 70 strikes to 33 walks with a 6.62 ERA, pitching 17 of 28 games as a starter. There is a report he was recently shut down in the Dominican.  He missed two months of '06 because of tendonitis.

Simon is a risk, but the Phillies hope he has enough stuff to toss an inning or two in relief. A player drafted onto a Major League roster in the Rule 5 draft must remain on the 25-man active roster, or the DL, for all of the subsequent season, or the drafting club must attempt to return him to his original club.

It’s common for the original club to decline; that was the case with Victorino and the Dodgers. Occasionally, the drafting club will work out a trade with the player's original team, allowing the drafting club to retain the player but send him to the minors. However, since a returned Rule 5 player must first be placed on outright waivers, a third club could claim him. This is what Kansas City tried to do with Booker, but couldn’t find a reason to keep him on the 25-man roster.

The Phillies will also look at Warden, 27, who was plucked away from the Tribe. The reports say the Indians wanted to keep him, but ran out of room on their 40-man roster. The big right-hander spent 2006 with Double-A Akron and went 5-2 with a 3.05 ERA with 11 saves in 55 relief appearances and held opponents to a .167 average. He’s got some numbers you look for in a reliever and doesn't allow hits, in addition to being a pitcher with a different look.

The organizational catching shortage has lasted for ages, so Budde, a 27-year-old defensive specialist, servers the purpose of filling out a roster, likely Triple-A Ottawa if they figure out a way to keep him. "We took [Budde] for some catching inventory,” is what Arbuckle told Phillies.com, and that’s probably all you need to know about Budde. (Imagine being referred to as ‘inventory’.) Last season in Triple-A Salt Lake (LAA) he hit .233/.324/.414 with with eight homers in a backup role.

The Phillies also selected slashing outfielder Victor Hall from the Yankees in the minor league portion of the draft. Hall, 26, spent last season with Class-A Tampa and hit .321 with four homers and 35 steals in just 65 games. If the Pat Gillick era has shown us anything, it's his undying love of athletes.

Phillies pry Freddy Garcia away from White Sox

White Sox right-hander Freddy Garcia is the newest member of the Phillies starting rotation following a surprise deal that sends only RHP Gavin Floyd and LHP Gio Gonzalez to the Chicago White Sox. What's next? It's anyone's guess. [Link]

Beerleaguer: Phillies GM Pat Gillick buys himself a 17-game winner in a Winter Meeting shocker. Garcia is swapped for two minor leaguers, one ticketed for another backward try in AAA, the other probably two years away from the majors. As you've noticed, neither of these players is named Aaron Rowand.

Gillick is making it clear: He's ready to go toe-to-toe with the division champs, as word spreads that the Mets are nearing a deal for Oakland right-hander Rich Harden, in addition to their ongoing pursuit of free agent prize Barry Zito. That's why Garcia is in, and Jon Lieber will be moved to Milwaukee or some other hole. The Phillies are sitting on a great looking rotation, and still hold a big chip in Rowand, who's coveted by several teams. Very odd trade for Chicago; they get nothing to improve their 90-win team for next season after falling just short of the playoffs.

It's anyone's guess why someone would grouse about the loss of Gio Gonzalez when the best shot to win has to be right now. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Brett Myers are under contract and in their prime, right as the city can be seized from the floundering Eagles.

Gonzalez is still a mystery to everyone. The 21-year-old left-hander came over from Chicago in the Jim Thome trade and is rated as one of the 10-best left-handers in the minors by Baseball America. Pitching last season in Double-A Reading, he hit a speedbump, going 7-12 with a 4.66 ERA. Scouts issued mixed marks, including concerns about makeup and maturity. There's plenty of time to fix all that.

However, all the experts in the world, including special instructor Johnny Podres, haven't been able to fix Gavin Floyd. The soon-to-be 24-year-old former No. 1 pick and Baseball America cover boy was a disappointment, but gets a fresh start with noted coddler Ozzie Guillen (cough). Floyd finishes his Phillies career 7-5 with a 6.96 ERA in 19 starts. He made his major league debut in 2004 and has struggled to get out of AAA ever since. He was given an extended audition at the beginning of 2006 before seeing his ERA climb over 7. He last saw action in the Arizona Fall League, where he may have set a record for having the most big-league experience of any AFL player in league history.

As for Garcia, he has a chance to become a dominant starter in the National League, and gives the Phillies a playoff-tested starter. In eight seasons, the 30-year-old right-hander is 116-71 with a career 4.01 ERA, in addition to going 5-2 with a 3.11 ERA in nine postseason starts. Last season, he rated as the 10th best starting pitcher in the AL, according to Hardball Times Win Shares, which basically means you jump on him if Jon Lieber is the alternative. However, his 2006 ERA +, which measures park factors, issues a less than sterling 102, only slightly above league average. He's a true innings-eater, and not in the Ryan Franklin sense, either. Garcia will help keep the bullpen innings in check.

The residual effect is the added leverage to fill other holes. The Phils have six starters in a pitching-starved market. Rowand is a wanted man. Lieber is drawing interest from other clubs; the Milwaukee deal should be killed.

Final thoughts: That strange sensation you're feeling might be something you've rarely experienced: leverage, weight, clout, the ability to think big instead of small. Stepping outside the box for a moment, you know Gillick wants that bat, don't you? A big bat. Just out of curiosity: What would Jon Lieber and Pat Burrell get them? How about Brett Myers and Burrell?

Phillies talking two-step trade; Garcia targeted

Jim Salisbury of the Inquirer says the second leg of the trade appears to be in place, involving a swap between the Milwaukee Brewers and Phillies. The deal hinges on the team’s ability to work out a trade for a White Sox starting pitcher in exchange for Aaron Rowand and a pitching prospect. Right-hander Freddy Garcia is reportedly their primary target.

A deal for Garcia would allow the Phillies to send right-hander Jon Lieber to the Brewers for outfielder Kevin Mench and reliever Derrick Turnbow. Lieber (9-11, 4.95 ERA) is a year away from free agency and will earn $7.5 million this season. Mench (.269/.313/.419, 13 HRs in 2006) is entering his second year of arbitration and earned $2.8 million in 2006. The 29-year-old right-handed hitter is a Delaware native and grew up a Philadelphia sports fan. Turnbow (6.87 ERA, 24 SVs in 2006, 3.87 ERA, 63 SVs career) is in the middle of a three-year, $6.5 million contract. The 29-year-old right-hander lost his job as closer after suffering control problems. He started his career in the Phillies farm system.

The White Sox are believed to be shopping starters Javier Vazquez, Mark Buerhle and Garcia in order to make room for Brandon McCarthy. The 30-year-old Garcia (17-9, 4.54 ERA in 2006, 116-71, 4.01 ERA career) is a year from free agency and will earn $10 million this season.

Beerleaguer: If everything goes to plan, the Phillies will have improved themselves - to some extent. It’s difficult to remember a series of connected deals that would impact so many areas. Shane Victorino, for example, would become the starting center fielder. That's no small point. Mench could wind up with the starting job in right. That’s a "careful what you wish for" situation, unless they add an outfielder, such as Trot Nixon. Victorino is a dynamic player, and Mench can mash left-handers, but is it enough substantive offense for an entire 162-game season? Is Victorino durable enough to play every day?

All told, the drawbacks don't erase the positives. Garcia would put this deal over the top, giving them the best starting five in the division. Nicknamed "Chief," he’s a 17-game winner and among the league’s best innings eaters. The concern: Can Garcia keep doing it? His career runs a parallel with Tim Hudson, used just as hard in the AL and is finally starting to fade with Atlanta. The benefit: Garcia would be gone after 2007 if you blow him out.

The latest report from ESPN says the White Sox are looking for something more than Rowand, and I don’t blame them. The report says Phillies GM Pat Gillick isn't prepared to give up Gavin Floyd. Floyd’s window of opportunity to pitch in Philadelphia is closing, and I wouldn’t hesitate to move him. Personally, I would be less included to deal away Ryan Madson, who could bounce back and still help the bullpen, rather than Floyd, who can’t possibly spend another season in AAA and risk losing the piddling value he still has.

The team in no position to deal away bullpen, even if they acquire bowling pin Turnbow, who looked out of control last season. It might be a good play to include Floyd, and another significant prospect, to acquire additional 'pen help while they have the chance.

Kalas returning; Phillies add 'Sarge' to booth

From a Phillies news release: Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas has signed a new three-year contract to remain with the Phillies. In addition, former Phillies outfielder Gary Matthews will join the broadcast team.

Kalas, 70, began broadcasting major league baseball with the Houston Astros in 1965 and has been with the Phillies since 1971. He is currently the eighth-longest tenured broadcaster in the majors, trailing the likes of the Dodgers' Vin Scully and the Astros' Milo Hamilton.

Matthews was a major league outfielder for over 15 years, including three seasons with the Phillies. He also played for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs and finished his career with the Seattle Mariners in 1987.

The 56-year-old spent two seasons as the color analyst for the Toronto Blue Jays radio broadcast (2000-01). In addition, he was a baseball analyst on Headline Sports Television, a Canadian cable network based in Toronto. After retiring from baseball, Matthews spent a few years in private industry and broadcasting, before joining the Cubs as their minor league hitting coordinator (1995-97). He has also been a major league coach for seven seasons - with the Blue Jays (1998-99), Milwaukee Brewers (2002) and Cubs (2003-06).

As expected, the Phillies also announced that Larry Andersen, Chris Wheeler and Scott Franzke will also return next season.

Phils sign RHP Kane Davis to minor league deal

Originally a 13th-round pick of the Pirates, Davis has pitched in 96 major league games, most recently with Milwaukee in 2005. The signing was first reported by Jayson Stark of ESPN.com.

The 6-3 right-hander saw most of his action with Colorado in 2001, going 2-4 with a 4.35 ERA in 57 appearances, all in relief. In addition, he’s pitched with Cleveland, Milwaukee and the Mets, most recently with the Brewers in 2005, where he went 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 16 2-3 innings.

Following the season, the Brewers re-signed him to a one-year, $375,000 non-guaranteed deal. However, he never made it past spring training due to shoulder tendinitus and was placed on waivers. He finished the season pitching for Somerset of the independent Atlantic League.

From an earlier scouting report: For someone with so little major-league experience, he has remarkable poise with runners aboard. He shows no fear against righties, who are growing to fear him. Unfortunately, his poise with runners aboard abandons him when the game is on the line in the late innings. Also, while right handed hitters may fear him, lefties love him.

Beerleaguer: Let the dumpster diving begin. Davis is grade-A baseball refuse, and that's not always a bad thing. There's a funk, but at least he's cheap. Minor league contract aside, he's in line for a major league job with the bullpen-depleted Phillies.

Unsung Fultz found success in Philadelphia

Left-hander Aaron Fultz, 33, has found a new home with Cleveland after signing a $1.5 million deal with an option for 2008. It was made possible following two good seasons with the Phillies.

For every criticism of the Phillies bullpen, Aaron Fultz is one example of a pitcher who flourished under Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee, and was used appropriately. In 2005, he finished 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 72 2-3 innings, over two runs lower than his previous career-best. Never truly a left-handed specialist, nor a big-inning pitcher, Manuel limited his use to low-to-mid-pressure spots, and he responded well. The stout left-hander was at his best in B-list action, along with pitchers like Geoff Geary and Rheal Cormier, while Ryan Madson, Ugueth Urbina and Billy Wagner carried the load in save situations.

After '05, Fultz accepted the Phillies arbitration offer and returned for another season. He performed closer to his career line, finishing 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA during a tumultuous season for the bullpen. Due to the shortage, he was forced into key spots, with less than spectacular results. He also missed time with a dead arm late in the season.

The Type-A free agent now lands in Cleveland after the Phillies declined arbitration, but his two-year stay was nothing short of a success. The Phils originally claimed Fultz off waivers from the Twins two weeks after the 2004 season. Now, they go in search of another scrap-heap jewel like Fultz, and hope they aren't too late.

Beer nuts: Roberson struggling in Mexico

After 169 at bats for Hermosillo, 27-year-old outfielder Chris Roberson is hitting just .249 with a .622 OPS.

It’s starting to look like Chris Roberson’s Philadelphia career will be best known for pinching Ryan Howard’s nipples in a Phillies commercial. The slender rookie, who got into 57 games last season primarily as a defensive sub and pinch runner, isn’t doing much to help his case south of the border. At best, he figures to be in a dead heat with touted rookie Michael Bourn for the final spot on the Phillies bench.

The switch-hitting Roberson, a former 9th round pick in the 2001 draft, won Eastern League Rookie of the Year in 2005 after recording a Reading franchise record 172 hits. After the season, he earned the Paul Owens Award as best position player in the Phillies system.

Last fall, Roberson did quite well in the MPL and probably helped his case for earning a major league job. He went into spring training stroking the ball well and was considered among the final three candidates (Roberson, Chris Coste, Tomas Perez) to earn the final bench job, which eventually went to none of them. Pitcher Robinson Tejeda was traded to Texas for outfielder David Dellucci, and the job was his.

Roberson’s teammate in Hermosillo, Erubiel Durazo, is doing quite well and ranks third in home runs behind Ruben Rivera and Kit Pellow. We’ll see whether Durazo is given one last go as a spring invitee, hoping to catch on as a left-handed bat off the bench somewhere. [Updated MPL stats]

Lieberthal to Dodgers?
This next nut was really predictable: Catcher Mike Lieberthal is close to signing a one-year contract to join best bud Randy Wolf in Los Angeles and back up Russell Martin. In 145 lifetime at bats, Lieberthal is a .345 hitter with 8 homers at Chavez Ravine.

Rotation set
The Phillies finalized a three-year, $24.5 million deal with Adam Eaton Thursday. Eaton was given a clean bill of health following Wednesday's physical.

Managers set
The Phils have finalized their minor league coaching staffs. The biggest news is John Russell will return to manage the Phillies Triple-A club in Ottawa. Russell was a finalist for the vacant Nationals job, which was eventually filled by Manny Acta. He also interviewed with Texas. Russell has a career 611-579 record (.513 winning percentage) and three division titles in nine seasons as a minor league manager. He has also spent three seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates coaching staff.

Other notable additions include Greg Gross, who was named hitting instructor in Reading, and former Phillies utility player Kevin Jordon, who joins the Lakewood staff. And earlier this week, Steve Smith signed on to take over third base for the big club.

Benito wants to come back
Finally, former Phillies catcher Benito Santiago, 41, is making a comeback in Puerto Rico and would desire a return to Philadelphia. Don’t laugh, but a situation like this would seem possible given the need for a third catcher to back up Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste in case they bomb. What kind of player would be willing to spend a season catching in Ottawa? Probably someone like 41-year-old Benito Santiago.

Another name floating on the PhilliesPhans message board is 43-year-old Pat Borders, who spent 2001-2005 toiling in the Seattle organization. Originally drafted by the Blue Jays, he spent his first seven years in Canada. Last season, he saw time in the Dodgers organization before announcing his retirement.

Though there's no story to support it (It's actually posted incorrectly as "Phillies showing interest in Pat Tabler"), it makes perfect sense, doesn't it? Seattle? Gillick? Canada? Ancient? Brutal career line of .253/.288/.375? Could there be a better fit? And could he grow a fu-manchu mustache?