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Phillies top Jays 6-3; Anderson arrives on scene

Reliever Matt Anderson, who was supposed to be in minor league camp, made his Phillies debut this afternoon, pitched a perfect eighth and reportedly reached 96 on the gun.

Beerleaguer: I gotta say, it's really interesting that Anderson, the first pick overall in the 1997 draft, worked himself into an audition this early in spring, and it becomes even more intriguing that he pitched so impressively today. Even though he's been out of the Majors since 2005, there's something about this guy that excites me. Here's a snippet from Jerry Crasnick's overlooked ESPN.com piece on Anderson from back in January. Tell me if you don't feel the same after reading this:

"Anderson didn't take the mound until early December, but his velocity quickly crept into the 90-94 mph range, and he even popped a few fastballs at 96 and 97. Each time Del Unser saw him, he kept coming back to his Phillies superiors with encouraging reports. 'I was going to parade Matt in front of all 30 teams,' agent Joe Longo said, 'but right away he said 'Try to focus on the Phillies. This team has a real chance to win a World Series, and I know I can help and I want to be part of that.' I started listing the other people in the Phillies' bullpen and he said 'I don't care.' That's what I love about Matt. He's not afraid of going in to compete.' "

Phillies 6, Blue Jays 3: Roy Halladay pitched a pair of scoreless frames, while Placido Polanco and Carlos Ruiz combined to knock in four runs as the Phillies capitalized on five Blue Jays errors en route to a 6-3 victory. Otherwise, it was a quiet afternoon offensively. Domonic Brown went 0-for-4 and has failed to register a hit in three games. Pitching-wise, right-handed prospect J.C. Ramirez struck out four in two innings, while Mike Stutes fanned three in his two innings. Cliff Lee and the Phillies host the Tigers tomorrow at Bright House Field.

Game chat: A new day dawns for Phils in Dunedin

Sunday marked the darkest day of spring so far. Roy Halladay and company are hoping to brighten spirits today against the Blue Jays.

Preview: With news of Chase Utley’s knee, Domonic Brown’s 0-for-3 and a pair of rocky debuts by Justin De Fratus and Michael Schwimer, the Phillies experienced their first reality check of spring yesterday. Good thing there are 31 days until the games actually count. ... For the Jays, familiar left-hander and former Brave Jo-Jo Reyes will start in place of former Phillie Kyle Drabek, who was pushed back because of a stiff neck. … After two games, outfielder Ben Francisco has been the Phillies’ standout performer, going 2-for-4 with a double and homer in yesterday’s 7-3 loss. He also tripled in Saturday’s opener. Still, Charlie Manuel has been hesitant to heap much praise on him. "He swung pretty good," Manuel told MLB.com. "He's been practicing hard. I've noticed him hitting. He comes in wanting to play. He knows he's got a chance to play more than he did last year or win a job." (Does anyone else get a sense they don't completely believe in him?). Still, barring a catastrophic finish, expect to see Francisco earn at least a share of right field against left-handed pitching, against which he hit .284/.344/.557 a season ago. … Lineups are posted: Rollins SS, Victorino CF, Polanco 3B, Francisco DH, Mayberry 1B, Brown RF, Young LF, Ruiz C, Valdez 2B. Halladay P. Of note, Mayberry is making his debut at first for the Phils. He’s played in only four games there in his career, dating back to his days with Triple-A Oklahoma. ... The game will air on MLB radio starting at 1:00.

Watch: Charlie Manuel responds to Werth's comment

MRI reveals tendinitis in Utley's right knee

"Tired legs" my you-know-what. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro says Chase Utley had an MRI yesterday that revealed Patella tendinitis in his right knee. More later. On the bright side, it's only Feb. 27. Better to have this scoped out now than wait until it gets worse. Meanwhile ... Michael Young anyone?

Chase at the center of season’s first injury cover-up?

Chase Utley isn’t playing again today and won’t explain why.

Utley stayed back in Clearwater yesterday and didn’t participate in Thursday’s home exhibition with Florida State. When asked about his mystery ailment, Utley told CSNPhilly.com’s Jim Salisbury “If there’s cause for concern you’ll be the first to know.” Manager Charlie Manuel has attempted to fill in the blanks, explaining that Utley “has been feeling general soreness in his legs and knees,” an infliction that has prevented literally thousands of seniors from attending weekly bingo.

Beerleaguer: Isn’t it time for Utley to give up the "pain don't hurt" shtick? I realize the Phillies are jocks and are basically cut from the same cloth, but come on. Twenty years down the road, it would be terrific to chronicle Utley’s outstanding Philadelphia legacy without the qualifier “… if only he took himself a little less seriously.” Perhaps we share in the blame. Utz was crowned as Philadelphia’s scrappy, working-class, superhuman savior five years ago when the Phillies had a reputation for being soft. He was the Phillies’ best all-around player, and still might be. But reality has since set in. He’s been hurt … frequently. He’s slumped … frequently. His production has declined … slowly. He’s mortal, and so be it. We have our title. He’s still the best second baseman in the National League. No need to act like Dalton from "Roadhouse." (Pictured right in repair after a run-in with Brad Wesley's henchmen.)

Baez rocked: Beerleaguer’s prediction that Danys Baez won’t head north is looking good as the veteran was rocked for five runs in 2-3 innings during yesterday’s Beerleaguer game in Clearwater. If Baez breaks camp with a spot in the ‘pen, I’ll pay for a custom “Baez” jersey and wear it to every game this season. (And when people ask, I’ll say I’m from Cuba.)

Beerleaguer for breakfast: Pujols a fit for Phillies?

Would the hometown nine think big and pursue the game’s best hitter? They’ve already wooed two of the game’s best pitchers.

The whispers began last spring that the Phillies had kicked the tires on a Ryan Howard-for-Albert Pujols blockbuster. At the time, Ruben Amaro did not beat around the bush: "Lies," he said. "That's a lie. I don't know who you're talking to, but that's a lie." Despite Amaro’s denial, a Howard-for-Pujols deal made some sense. And this spring, a trade based around Howard and Joe Blanton for Pujols would make a lot of sense. In short, here’s why:

Lineup balance: The Phillies’ 2010 lineup was slightly lefty-heavy, but now with the departure of Jayson Werth, their lineup is extremely lefty-heavy. Though they won’t admit it, the Phillies are in desperate need of a righty bat in the middle of their order. The deal would also give them a player who strikes out far less than Howard, not to mention a significant upgrade defensively.

Cardinals need pitching: The Cardinals had planned to contend for the World Series this year, but Adam Wainwright’s season-ending elbow injury has changed all that. They are currently in no-man’s land, where they can’t win it all this year and they’re in danger of losing Pujols as a free agent after this season. Howard would give them a long-term solution at first base, while Blanton would help them fill Wainwright’s shoes. The Phillies could also round out the trade with prospects from their deep talent pool.

Flexibility: The deal could help out both teams over the long term. The Phillies owe Ryan Howard $145 million over the next six seasons. Blanton is due a combined $17 million between this year and next. The Phils’ payroll is probably a notch higher than they are comfortable with. Pujols reportedly is seeking 10 years in the neighborhood of $30 million per season. The Phillies wouldn’t give him that kind of money, but they could probably agree on a shorter deal with a higher annual salary. Philadelphia has become a destination for superstars in their quest for a title and the Phillies are heavy favorites. Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay took less years and passed up free agency to be here. And even if Pujols leaves next winter as a free agent, the Phillies would have significant financial flexibility next year.

- Written for Beerleaguer by Drew Silverman

Game chat: Phillies open slate at Steinbrenner Field

Preview: The Grapefruit League schedule gets underway today in Tampa as Cole Hamels and the Phillies visit Bartolo Colon and the Yankees in a 1:05 p.m. matinee at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Before the game, the Yanks will honor the memory of their late owner, who passed away in July. ... For the Phils, Hamels tries to build toward another strong season after finishing 2010 with a career-best 3.06 ERA and 211 strikeouts. Vance Worley, Ryan Feierabend, Brian Schlitter and Mike Zagurski are scheduled to follow Hamels as the bullpen race gets underway. ... Jimmy Rollins, a late scratch, Chase Utley, Placido Polanco, Carlos Ruiz and Shane Victorino will not play. Wilson Valdez, Domonic Brown, Ben Francisco, Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, Brian Schneider, Ross Gload and Jeff Larish have made the trip, but it is unclear as of this writing who will take Rollins' spot. ... Today's game and tomorrow's home opener are slated to air on MLB Network. (AP Images)

Saturday notebook: Durbin decides on Cleveland

Ending months of non-drama, the Chad Durbin saga has ended.

The Phillie will join the Indians on a one-year, $800,000 deal plus another $1 million in incentives, reports ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick. The deal is pending a physical. Durbin spent parts of 2003-04 with Cleveland back when he was trying to make it as a starter. According to Crasnick, the Indians will put him in the bullpen. The 33-year-old right-hander was reportedly holding out for a guaranteed offer from a contender, which the Indians are not, but if he pitches well, he could work his way into a prominent role and possibly start a game or two. Amazingly, the Phillies resisted the urge to ever start him - even in an emergency - in three seasons. Even more amazingly, the Phillies literati were able to stretch this storyline over a full five months.

Phillies send Morse Code for right-handed bat help: The Phillies have had a long-standing interest in Nationals outfielder Mike Morse, notes CSNPhilly.com’s Jim Salisbury. “The Phillies kept an eye on Morse’s potential availability all winter,” Salisbury writes, “but came away with the impression that the Nationals did not want to do business with a division rival.”  Sources told Salisbury that the Phillies balked when Domonic Brown’s name entered the equation.

Morse’s career has been slow to develop, but he kept his head above Triple-A waters for a career-high 98 games with Washington last season, starting 64 games in right while hitting .289/.352/.519 with 15 homers in 293 plate appearances, including a terrific .295/.374/.625 against left-handed pitching, which is at least the second-best reason the Phillies want him (he spent five years fascinating Benny Looper and the Mariners brass while toiling in the Seattle chain, so there’s that).

With Jayson Werth in the Washington fold, Morse, who will turn 29, is looking at a first-base platoon with Adam LaRoche and splitting time in the outfield somewhere, but has no clear spot to flourish into the Werthian late bloomer the Phillies probably think he could become. For what it’s worth, Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA system forecasts a .277/.341/.458 season with 11 homers over 302 plate appearances. If properly protected, Ben Francisco could do that, but the Phillies obviously have their doubts. Still, the lack of a big right-handed stick is clearly the club’s biggest concern, and Werth was their unrivaled best hitter a season ago.

Game chat: The Phillies open Grapefruit League play today as Cole Hamels takes the mound in Tampa to face the Yankees starting at 1:05. Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz and Placido Polanco are out. Meanwhile, the Beerleaguer non-roster invitee all-stars will host the Blue Jays this morning at Bright House Field. Matt Gelb of the Inquirer posted the classic lineup card here. Tagg Bozied bats cleanup. I have chills.

Durbin Decision 2011: Phillies 'pull offer from table'

Chad Durbin has told Comcast SportsNet's Leslie Gudel that he will not re-sign with the Phillies. Gudel's Phillies source says the minor league deal they had offered him has been "pulled off the table." Durbin was reportedly in talks with the Cleveland Indians yesterday. The 33-year-old right-hander has been linked to the Rangers, Rays, Royals and Red Sox. Beerleaguer's coverage of this middle reliever's saga will continue ...

Drabek locked in a fight for Blue Jays rotation

Former Phillies prospect Kyle Drabek will compete against seven others for Toronto’s two rotation openings as the Jays’ Grapefruit League schedule gets underway in nearby Dunedin.

Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow and Brett Cecil are considered locks for the rotation, while Drabek, along with Jesse Litsch, are considered the early favorites to break camp as the fourth and fifth starters. Part of the Roy Halladay package, the 23-year-old right-hander arrived in the Bigs late last season and started three games for the Jays. Has ascended to the top of Toronto’s prospect class and is now rated by Baseball America as their top prospect in the chain. Scouts believe the young son of Doug Drabek can follow in his old-man’s footsteps and become a frontline starter but will need to refine his cutter and changeup to minimize the damage against left-handed hitters.

Elsewhere, former Phillies outfielder Anthony Gose, who was traded to Toronto in a separate deal with Houston, and catcher Travis d’Arnaud, also part of the Halladay trade, ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. Outfielder Michael Taylor, who was immediately flipped to Oakland following the deal, has fallen to 10th on the A’s list following a disappointing season at Triple-A, where scouts were left wondering where his bat speed had gone.

Phils open strong; Durbin talking deal with Indians?

The Phillies kicked off their exhibition schedule with an 8-0 victory over Florida State on Thursday afternoon. Seven Phillies pitchers combined on the four-hit shutout. [Box score]

Ryan Howard ignited a four-run first inning with a two-run double, while Carlos Ruiz and non-roster invitee Pete Orr knocked in runs later in the frame. Orr started at second base in place of Chase Utley, who was experiencing some general body soreness. Jimmy Rollins, who was at the White House for a Motown Tribute, was the only other Phils regular who did not play. Drew Naylor got the start and pitched two scoreless innings. Justin De Fratus and Scott Mathieson each logged a pair of strikeouts in an inning of relief, while Mike Stutes struck out three. In all, Phillies pitchers combined to allow just four hits while striking out 11 Seminoles. The Phils begin Grapefruit League play Saturday in Tampa against the Yankees. – Written for Beerleaguer by Drew Silverman

Reader report: “Good atmosphere. FSU was weak with mid-80s pitching so credit to Phillies for being patient. Looks like some battles will shape up for the bench. Naylor showed a pretty decent curveball. Can see a future Defratus/Mathieson combo down the road. Mathieson was 98 and its early, but more impressed with the splitter. Looks like Bruce Sutter did his job as it was plain nasty. Watched Brown in warmup and he has a huge arm.” - Artvandelaythegame

Durbin to join Tribe? Chad Durbin could be headed to the Indians, tweets SI.com’s Jon Heyman. Durbin, who has reportedly been holding out for a Major League contract with a contender, would become one of the top relievers for Cleveland, which is coming off a 69-93 campaign. A workhorse for the Phillies the last three years, he went 4-1 with a 3.80 ERA in 64 appearances last season. His 2.33 K/BB ratio and 8.3 K/9 were personal bests. The 33-year-old right-hander could also potentially start for the Indians or another suitor, though he hasn’t started a game since 2007. The Phillies, Rangers, Red Sox, Rays and Royals have been liked to Durbin in various reports. The Phils would only bring him back on a minor league deal.  – Written for Beerleaguer by Drew Silverman

Game chat: Phillies open spring slate against FSU

Right-hander Drew Naylor will start as baseball gets underway in Florida this afternoon at Bright House Field in an exhibition tilt between the Philadelphia Phillies and Florida State Seminoles. First pitch is 1:05. Newcombers Justin De Fratus, Eddie Bonine, Mike Stutes, Michael Schwimer, Juan Perez and Scott Mathieson are scheduled to follow Naylor, while most of the regulars will take the field, sans Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. Lineups are posted: Shane Victorino, CF; Placido Polanco 3B; Raul Ibanez DH; Ryan Howard 1B; Ben Francisco CF; Domonic Brown RF; Carlos Ruiz C; Pete Orr, 2B; Wilson Valdez, SS. Baseball is back. Baseball is back. Baseball is back. Notes: In taking care of some last minute business, Valdez and the Phillies have come to terms on a one-year deal.

Gload positioned to fly solo as top Phillies bench bat

Last season, Ross Gload overthrew Greg Dobbs as the top left-handed bat off the Phillies’ bench, and that is exactly where he should stay.

With the Phillies searching for a solution in right, a handful of names have been thrown into the mix. Dom Brown and Ben Francisco are the most prevalent suggestions to replace Jayson Werth, but second-year Phillie Ross Gload has also garnered the occasional mention. From a strictly offensive perspective, Gload would be an ideal veteran lefty to pair with Francisco as part of a right field platoon. The nine-year pro hit .282 with an .818 OPS against right-handers last season, and he puts the ball in play—a valued asset in a K-heavy lineup like the Phillies’. In 138 plate appearances last season, Gload whiffed just 15 times.

But defensively, the Phils would be making a sacrifice by running Gload out to right. He doesn’t run or range particularly well and his arm is well below average for a major league right fielder. He hasn’t logged over 100 innings on the outfield grass since his 2004 campaign with the White Sox, and at 35, expect less.

Moreover, the Phillies need Gload to focus on the task at hand, and that is to provide the kind of boost Dobbs once gave them. It’s not a task that should be taken lightly. The Phillies lived and died by their bench in back-to-back postseason appearances in '08-09, experiencing both the highs and lows. Staying locked in as a pinch hitter takes razor focus. Although anything can happen in Spring Training, the Phillies appear to be set up to carry only one lefty-hitting veteran on their bench. For the last three seasons, they’ve carried at least two. In 2008, they had Dobbs, Matt Stairs and Geoff Jenkins at various points. In '09, Stairs and Dobbs filled those spots, but struggled. Last season, Gload and Dobbs shared the role until Dobbs worked himself out of the picture.

For what it’s worth, Gload’s performance at the plate suffers when he’s in the outfield. A career .283 hitter, Gload has an average of .223 in 277 plate appearances while in the lineup as an outfielder. Though Dobbs was awful at the plate last year, and finished his Phillies career 15-for-109 over two seasons of pinch hitting, the slack will need to be picked up by someone. Gload is the answer to that problem, not the one in right field.

- Written for Beerleaguer by Matt Grassie

Wednesday thread: Door still open for Durbin

Time to refresh the header with the topics you’ve already discussed.

The Phillies would reportedly re-sign Chad Durbin, but only on a minor league deal. Durbin is holding out for a Major League offer and reportedly weighing offers from a number of teams. The Mariners, Rays, Rangers and Red Sox have been mentioned in addition to the Phillies. It’s gotta be a tough time to land a  Major League deal considering the timing of it. Camp just opened, there’s optimism surrounding young pitchers, plus the market for relief pitching has drifted into minor league deal territory anyway. He's caught in between. If he had been open to one year instead of two, he'd probably be in someone's camp right now. Adding Durbin would certainly remove much of the intrigue from Clearwater as a number of young pitchers are challenging for spots in the bullpen. … Drew Naylor takes the mound when the Phillies open their exhibition schedule tomorrow night against FSU. Cole Hamels kicks off the Grapefruit League schedule Friday.

Lesson from Cliff Lee injury scare: Get used to it

The Phillies were among the least injured teams during consecutive World Series appearances in 2008-09, but Karma was a bitch in ’10 when they put 18 players on the shelf. (AP Photo)

The most talked about muscle in Philadelphia since Wilt Chamberlain published his memoir is reportedly 100 percent after Cliff Lee assured reporters Monday that his strained side is back to normal. Lee reportedly complained of soreness near his left arm pit last month, a situation that wasn’t brought to light until the Inquirer’s Bob Brookover reported about it Sunday. The 32-year-old southpaw was reportedly shut down for only eight days and was cleared to resume normal workouts before pitchers and catchers arrived last week. Lee is reportedly back on schedule.

The moral of this story is that injuries actually happen, and seem to happen more with age. Aside from the usual ankle sprains, cortisone shots, loose bodies, hernias and knee scopes, for two seasons the Phillies enjoyed a rather clean bill of health. To be more specific, the 162-game baseball season claimed relatively few casualties.

That wasn’t the case in ’10. Bad slides knocked out half of the infield. Warm-up drills caused the shortstop’s downward spiral. A wild pitch claimed the final piece of the infield puzzle. It didn’t stop there. A temper tantrum directed at a metal chair took their most effective reliever out of action. A blow to the head caused the starting catcher to miss a few rounds. And so on.

Injuries are to be expected. The Phillies also suffered a fair share of grizzled-veteran ailments and still won 97 games. Jamie Moyer’s arm fell clean off. No surprise there. Ross Gload pulled his groin legging out a double because ... he's Ross Gload. Chase Utley will be hit by a pitch about once a series. Someone’s oblique muscle is going to pop; last year it was Joe Blanton, now Lee’s side is already an issue. Shane Victorino will blow a tire again. Jimmy will, too. J.C. Romero’s elbow is held together with frayed duct tape. Danys Baez will suffer a phantom injury because he stinks. You get the drift.

Carpenter clears waivers, assigned to Triple-A

Drew Carpenter has cleared waivers and been assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, reports Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com. The 26-year-old right-hander was designated for assignment and removed from the 40-man roster this week to clear room for reliever Brian Schlitter, who was claimed off waivers. Carpenter will return to big league camp tomorrow as a non-roster player and is likely headed to Triple-A for a third season.

Which Phillies star has the best chance to rebound?

Ryan Howard, 31: Hit .276/.353/.505 with 31 homers last season, a drop from his .279/.376/.586 career average spanning 2004-09. Sidelined from Aug. 2 to Aug. 21 with an ankle injury, which may have robbed him of power, as evidenced by his .441 slugging percentage in the season’s final two months. No RBIs in the postseason. Lost Jayson Werth as his lineup protection.

Chase Utley, 32: Posted a career-low .832 OPS while playing in just 115 games, a sharp drop from his previous five-year OPS of .922. A thumb injury kept him on the sidelines from June 28 to Aug. 17, but he was mired in a 34-game slump before that, hitting just .242 with one home run, three doubles and a .649 OPS. Posted a modest .805 OPS in his final 43 games after returning.

Jimmy Rollins, 32: Missed nearly half the season with injury and hit just .243/.320/.374, well below his career average, but not dissimilar to his disappointing .250/.296/.423 mark in 2009. Was never close to 100 percent healthy after initially going on the shelf six games into the season. Arrived this spring in better shape and is playing for a new contract.

Mathieson, Zagurski hoping to clear big league hurdle

Minor league success doesn't guarantee a seamless transition to the Show. Just ask this tandem of top relief prospects who, for myriad reasons, haven't broken through.

It's tough to image a hungrier pair of pitchers in Clearwater than Scott Mathieson and Mike Zagurski, who shot up the ranks, received early calls to Philly in 2006 and 2007, respectively, then suffered devastating, career-derailing elbow injuries that required Tommy John surgery and set them back light years (in baseball years). The long road back led them to Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season, where they were as effective as anyone could have hoped. On the strength of his high-90s fastball, Mathieson saved 26 games and struck out 83 in 64 innings, while Zagurski, armed with a sneaky-quick heater, quietly ratcheted up 71 strikeouts in his 52 1-3 innings.

The journey didn't end there. They wish that it had.

They finally got another shot at the Show, but in just a handful of innings, they each managed to cast serious doubts about their ability to make the jump. Somehow, in just 1 2-3 innings, spanning one game in June and one in September, everyone in the house watched as Mathieson was taught the cruel lesson that Major League hitters can handle heat, especially when it's flat. As for Zagurski, the puffy lefty produced a seven-inning carbon copy of the control-challenged display fans remembered when he was in over his head in '07.

For Mathieson and Zagurski, the moment has arrived. The Phils are looking to fill at least two, possibly three, bullpen spots and the field is wide open for a change. The club thinks enough of Mathieson that they hired Hall of Fame reliever Bruce Sutter to teach him the splitter, which Mathieson will add to a repertoire that also includes a very secondary slider. With Zagurski, the question is how much does he trust himself to work a Major League hitter inside the zone. And can he outperform Antoino Bastardo, who is no lock, but has the slight edge in experience.

Fortunately, a young pitcher is virtually guaranteed at least one of the openings. Unfortunately, they'll need to make the most of every opportunity and their leash could be extremely short. That's the nature of the game, especially for a reliever ... and especially on a team as deep and competative as the Phillies.

It's a cruel business, a fact Mathieson and Zagurski know well.

Moment arrives for former Phils in Cleveland camp

Right-hander Carlos Carrasco, infielder Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson are competing for spots on Cleveland’s diluted roster.

Cleveland’s future rests in the hands of the half dozen or so prospects acquired in blockbuster deals over the past three seasons, dating back to CC Sabathia’s trade to Milwaukee, Cliff Lee’s first tour in Philadelphia and Victor Martinez’s move to Boston. So far, the Tribe has yet to see a significant payoff as they enter a make-or-break season for this particular group.

Carrasco, Donald and Marson, along with Class A fireballer Jason Knapp, comprised the package from Philadelphia. With veteran Orlando Cabrera slated for second and Asdrubal Cabrera expected to fill short, Donald’s best shot to play is at third base, where he will be in the mix along with Luis Valbuena and a handful of others. The 26-year-old infielder hit .253/.312/.378 in 325 plate appearances last season, lean numbers for a run-production position like third. Cleveland’s best prospect is catcher Carlos Santana, meaning Lou Marson will compete against a handful of minor league invitees for the backup role. Marson, 24, spent 87 games with the Indians last season and hit just .195. He could easily wind up back in Triple-A with a poor showing. Meanwhile, Carrasco’s arm has reportedly impressed manager Manny Acta early in camp. The 23-year-old right-hander was 2-2 with a 3.87 ERA and 38/14 K/BB ratio in 44 2-3 innings last season, and so far looks to be the surest bet of the Cliff Lee bunch. The 6-3 right-hander, who was twice rated as the top prospect in the Phillies’ chain by Baseball America, is the front-runner for the fourth starter job behind Fausto Carmona, Justin Masterson and Mitch Talbot.

Site news: Beerleaguer's popular Game Chats will be sponsored by the Drexel University LeBow College of Business this season.

Free agent Maine picks purple over red pinstripes

Right-hander John Maine has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rockies, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, a day after it was reported that Philadelphia was on the pitcher’s short list of teams to sign with.

CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury reported Wednesday that Maine was mulling offers from two teams, and, according to reports the Phillies were a possibility. The Phils watched Maine several times this winter, hinting at potential interest. He was expected to garner a minor-league deal. No go. If he doesn’t make the Rockies’ opening day roster, he can reportedly opt out. If he makes it, he can reportedly make up to $3 million if he pitches in the bigs. Maine was unable to find guaranteed money, or a major league roster spot, coming off season-ending shoulder surgery seven months ago. Seemingly strapped for offers, Maine joins an organization with a full starting rotation that plays in the most hitter-friendly park ever. Rock lobster. Maine lobster, that is.

Written for Beerleaguer by Evan Burgos

Chase Utley plays Quick 6 on Daily News Live

Report: John Maine has Phillies on his short list

Free agent former Met John Maine will pick a team in the next day or two, tweets Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com. The right-hander is mulling offers from at least two teams, according to reports. The Phillies have watched the right-hander throw several times this winter. It’s believed he would be offered only a minor league deal.

Handyman Valdez will add center field to his tool kit

Utility infielder Wilson Valdez will reportedly log some innings in center field during spring training. If successful, he could join the outfield mix as a late-game defensive replacement, a la Eric Bruntlett in 2008. (AP Photo)

If the Phillies can pull it off, shifting Valdez from dirt to grass would represent a significant addition to the post-Werth outfield insurance policy while making for an economic use of roster space. Valdez, who wasn’t in the picture last spring and has never been tested by the Phils this way, isn’t charting completely unknown waters; he’s totaled 28 2-3 outfield innings in his five-year major league career, plus his skill set looks like it could fit. Considering his howitzer arm, speed and the ease with which he has moved around the infield, a seamless acclimation to center field is not out of the question.

Valdez wouldn’t be the first old dog to learn a new trick. Consider these recent precedents: Alfredo Amezaga, Willie Bloomquist and Chris Woodward all took similar routes, at similar ages, and developed into playable depth outfielders. Amezaga spent four seasons kicking around Anaheim and Colorado without playing a single inning in the outfield, and then went to Florida where he started 64 games in center field. Bloomquist was drafted as a shortstop and played the vast majority of his first four seasons in Seattle at second, third and short. In 2004, however, he transitioned out of the infield and contributed 380 1-3 errorless innings between left and center field. The most apt example is Woodward, who was strictly an infielder before his time with the Mets in 2005. With an unhealthy Mike Cameron sidelined, Woodward helped out an undermanned New York outfield as a late-game defensive sub while continuing to contribute as a utility infielder.

If Valdez displays some comfort in center field, his versatility could allow Charlie Manuel a great deal of flexibility in late-game situations. Ben Francisco or Domonic Brown could slide to left, Shane Victorino to right and Valdez to center, or some other combination. Or it could look similar to Bruntlett in 2008 when he served as Pat Burrell’s personal late-game defensive caddy in left.

- Written for Beerleaguer by Matt Grassie

Watch: Bigger Brown drops hands, adds brawn

Domonic Brown is carrying 10 extra pounds of muscle and is ready to unleash his readjusted swing upon the Grapefruit League this spring. Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com spoke with the rookie outfielder as he prepares to compete for a starting job, plus, an injury update on Antonio Bastardo. Read now >>>

Phillies reacquire RHP Schlitter, DFA Carpenter

Two days into camp and the Phillies have already made their first move, claiming former farmhand Brian Schlitter, 25, off waivers from the Yankees and adding him to the 40-man roster. Meanwhile, Andrew Carpenter awaits his next assignment.

Schlitter spent most of 2010 with Triple-A Iowa (Cubs) and was 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA and 13 saves in 37 games (45 2-3 IP), earning a pair of brief but unsuccessful promotions to the Cubs midway through the season (12.38 ERA). Schlitter, who was the Phillies 16th pick in the 2007 draft, was pitching with Class-A Clearwater when he was traded to the Cubs for Scott Eyre in '08 when the Phils decided it was time to Schlitter get off the pot with adding LHP help (hat tip to clout, who said this back in 2008).

Carpenter, a former second-round pick who appeared in five games over three years with the Phils, is your classic tweener who will benefit from getting out from under the Phillies’ pitching logjam. In parts of three seasons at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he was 19-18 with a 3.67 ERA. If the Phillies do not retain him, the 25-year-old right-hander should land on his feet somewhere and could even sneak onto roster this spring. It seems like the Phillies are doing Carpenter a favor here. He had virtually no chance of helping them. Schlitter, a reliever with a pair of options, will be more useful, but is likely headed to Lehigh Valley.

Reader reaction: "I actually find this move a little surprising. Seems to me that a not-quite-good-enough-for-the-majors starter is of more value than a not-quite-good-enough-for-the-majors reliever. But I guess the Phillis think that Schlitter has more upside as a reliever than Carpenter has as a starter. This move suggests to me that they really are planning to keep Blanton. Carpenter wasn't inspiring but he was pretty clearly the next in line behind KK and Worley in the pecking order of starting pitchers. It wouldn't really make sense to trade away your 7th starter for a middling AAA reliever." - bay_area_phan

Oswalt still hinting at retirement after the season

Roy Oswalt said he’ll see where he’s at physically before deciding whether to opt in or opt out of his $16 million club option for 2012.

Beerleaguer: Roy Oswalt reigns as Beerleaguer’s traffic king. The day he was acquired smashed the previous page traffic high and he maintains the top spot, well ahead of Cliff Lee day. And how has this site returned the favor? By neglecting to write about him once since his Game 6 no decision in the NLCS. That isn’t to say his work wasn’t greatly appreciated. It was. The wily veteran exceeded expectations. Perhaps reinvigorated by the change of scenery, the 34-year-old posted a peppy 7-1 mark and 1.74 ERA (232 ERA+) in 12 starts with the Phillies, using his darting fastball to limit opponents to a 5.8 H/9. Then he went through a weird postseason, including a “there’s no such thing as an ugly win in the postseason” win in Game 2 of the Division Series, an eight-inning masterpiece against the Giants in Game 2 of the Championship Series, a desperation Game 4 loss in relief culminating in the series’ turning point and a Game 6 no-decision that was worse than his final line suggested.

The events of this offseason and the signing of Lee have cast Oswalt into a strong, silent-type third or fourth starter role on a team that has more good pitching than any team in club history. He’s easy to like, but doubts about his status beyond this season have kept his jerseys on the racks. The Phillies hold a $16 million club option on Oswalt for ’12. He can also opt out and take a reduced buyout. Meanwhile, the Phils are facing a pricy final arbitration year with Cole Hamels and would undoubtedly try to find a way to buy out his free agent years.

Kendrick coping with life as a sixth wheel in camp

If you think Joe Blanton feels like the forgotten man in the Phillies’ rotation, imagine how Kyle Kendrick is feeling.

Kendrick, who won double-digit games in three of the last four years, was nowhere to be found at Monday’s fab five press conference in Clearwater. With Rich Dubee already announcing that Blanton will be his fifth starter, Kendrick finds himself in limbo once again. Will he be a starter, as he was 31 times last season and 83 times over his four-year career? Or will he be coming out of the bullpen, as he’s done just 10 times in four years for the Phils? For what it’s worth, Kendrick has a 4.75 ERA as a starter and a 3.32 ERA as a reliever, working with an inherited runner just once. He has not pitched in the minors since 2009, when he went 9-7 with a 3.34 ERA in 24 starts for Lehigh Valley. The Phillies have already said that Kendrick, along with rookie right-hander Vance Worley, will be stretched out as starters this spring.

Ideally, the Phillies would love for Kendrick to make the bullpen cut and slide into Chad Durbin’s old spot, but it’s not that simple. Kendrick pitches to contact and relies heavily on his defense, while Durbin can mix in more strikeouts, making him more suited to handle inherited runners. Opponents have hit a lifetime .309 vs. Kendrick in his first 25 pitches of a game and .281 thereafter. His struggles against lefties are well documented, with righties hitting .254/.291/.422 off him and lefties .312/.367/.535. Then again, Durbin was also crushed by lefties last season (.324/.407/.529). An ideal middle reliever is someone like Jose Contreras, who uses his splitter to neutralize both right-handers (.256/.302/.355) and left-handers (.253/.340/.414).

What’s next for Kendrick? Dubee, in so many words, has already handed him the mop, saying Sunday that he sees him as “a swing-type guy, a bullpen piece, a long guy, a spot starter.”

- Written for Beerleaguer by Drew Silverman

Salary expectations keeping Cholly’s deal on hold

According to CSNPhilly.com’s sources, the almighty dollar has driven a wedge between Charlie Manuel and the Phillies in their mutual hopes of extending Manuel’s contract beyond this season. According to Jim Salisbury’s sources, Manuel expects a two-year deal with an annual salary on par with the top skippers in the game. Read more >>>

Video: Highlights from the Phillies starting 5 presser

Video: First look as Phillies pitchers, catchers report

Beerleaguer: The biggest news of the day came from Todd Zolecki, who learned that Antonio Bastardo's winter in the D.R. was cut short when his elbow flared up again, an issue that's been nagging the left-hander for several seasons now. Bastardo's situation could open the door for someone like Dan Meyer or Mike Zagurski. The Phils also have a long history of adding players late in camp; remember they traded Ronny Paulino for left-hander Jack Taschner in the final days of 2009 spring training. So, Bastardo is a little behind. Meanwhile, Jose Contreras has a little behind. The reliever shredded 22 pounds this winter, according to CSNPhilly's Jim Salisbury. Finally, congratulations to prospect Tim Kennelly and the Perth Heat on winning the Australian League Championship yesterday.

Report: Phillies sign versatile OF Sullivan to deal

The Phillies added some outfield depth Friday by signing outfielder Cory Sullivan to a minor-league contract with an invite to minor-league camp. MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki was the first to report the story.

Sullivan, 31, appeared in 57 games for Houston last season, hitting .188/.257/.234 with no homers in 71 plate appearances before he was designated for assignment in late June. Nobody picked him up from there. For his career, Sullivan, a lefty hitter with modest speed but no power, is a .271/.327/.381 hitter in parts of six seasons with the Rockies, Mets and Astros. He's essentially been a Triple-A player since 2007, but is still considered a pretty good gloveman. The Phils had been searching for more outfield depth, particularly in center field, and reportedly reached out to Gary Matthews Jr. recently. Sullivan does offer a bit of versatility, having played in 260 major league games in center field, 78 in left and 19 in right. He is a native of Wexford, Pa.—a suburb of Pittsburgh.

Written for Beerleaguer by Drew Silverman.

Report: Phillies head south to scout Coutlangus

Jon Coutlangus missed all of 2010 recovering from arm surgery.

The Reds were the last to enjoy Coutlangus’ services back in 2007, when the 30-year-old left-hander pitched to a 4.38 ERA and 38/27 K/BB ratio in 41 innings. The Diamondbacks then received Coutlangus in a one-for-one swap with Cincinnati, but the reliever remained below the big league belt for the next two seasons, pitching in fits and starts in the Pacific Coast League. Should the Phillies receive Coutlangus, he’s likely to stay south for extended work until the Phillies are satisfied. [Rotoworld]

Report: Phillies contact Rangers about Michael Young

ESPN.com sources confirm the Phillies have held “brief” discussions with the Rangers about trading for disgruntled infielder Michael Young, but that talks are “no longer active.” Beerleaguers started discussing the 34-year-old infielder earlier this week.

Reasons it makes sense: “He wants out of Texas (because he lost his third base job to Adrian Beltre and could loose DH at bats to Mike Napoli). He could probably be had for Joe Blanton, and we might even get Texas to pay enough of the salary to even out the books for 2011-12 (especially if Young demands a trade). He can play second, shortstop and third base, three positions in which our starters have had significant time on the DL in recent seasons. Even if everyone were to stay healthy, he could be a super utility man to give Placido Polanco, Rollins and especially Chase Utley some much needed time off. His presence would allow for a high quality pinch hitter - either himself or whoever he's starting for on any particular day (Rollins, Utley, Polanco and possibly Ibanez). His presence would benefit the team overall more than Blanton, considering the presence of Kyle Kendrick and Vance Worley.” – Will Schweitzer

Leverage in looming J-Roll negotiations? “Young is signed through 2013, which might give Ruben Amaro leverage in negotiations with Jimmy Rollins, especially if J-Roll repeats his 2009-10 performance. If push came to shove, it would make retaining Rollins a luxury instead of a necessity.” – Will Schweitzer

Why it doesn’t make sense: “Young has no place here. He wants to start and he won't here. I wouldn't sacrifice Polly's average for anything Young brings to the table. If he wants to be our new Brian Bocock, sure, all abroad, but I don't see that happening seeing as though he's a .300 career hitter and has too much pride to play third fiddle to Wilson Valdez.” – Emmett

Rollins reigns supreme: “Rollins is so much better defensively than Young it's not even close, and shortstop is still viewed among the smart people as primarily a defense position. Also, there's no way Rollins gets a raise to $16M/yr. No way. Why would you pay Young, a 2.1 WAR player $16M, when a 3.7 WAR player in Rollins can be had for a lot less? You won't need Young as leverage to re-sign Rollins, because he's worth more to the Phils than anybody else, similar to the Albert Pujols/Cards situation. IMHO Jimmy won't make more going elsewhere.”- awh

Notes: The Phillies are not included on Young’s list of eight acceptable trade destinations, according to ESPN. Their sources also believe the Rangers will try to smooth over their differences with Young in spring training. Young hit .284/.330/.444 with 21 homers in 718 plate appearances for the AL champs last season, but was lousy hitter away from Arlington, as he always is, hitting just .260/.299/.380 with five homers.

Wednesday thread: Loose ends from a long winter

Beerleaguer digests the last remaining hot-stove scraps before shifting into Spring Training mode.

You’ve probably noticed that a quiet calm has crept over Beerleaguer and many of the other Phillies forums lately. By design, and by necessity, it’s time to catch a last-minute siesta, particularly the beat guys who will spend the next eight months packing and unpacking suitcases, resisting the midnight urge of $4 Peanut M&Ms from the hotel micro fridge and deciding whether it’s hygienic to wear the same pair of rumpled socks again. So what better time to put down the pen and pick up the laundry basket than the second week in February? There’s nothing happening anyway, and as we say every year when pitchers and catchers report, nothing’s going to happen except glorified calisthenics.

So without further delay, here is your Feb. 9 clean underwear report, a laundry list of stories by guys wearing fresh drawers for the last time.

Chad Durbin is receiving offers from non-contenders, but is holding out for a chance to pitch for a winner, according to Ken Rostenthal. Gee-Gee (Phillies hitting coach Greg Gross) thinks he’s fixed Domonic Brown’s swing, says David Murphy. Meanwhile, Jim Salisbury says Brad Lidge is fired up and building arm strength.

Phillies roster war will be waged on the Baez front

For young bullpen hopefuls, Danys Baez is the lowest hanging fruit.

One could dedicate thousands of column inches to drawing up all the scenarios that will unfold between now and Opening Day. Instead, here's one related to the topic at hand: The Phillies pay $2.75 million to make Danys Baez go away. Many of you remember Baez from such cameo roles as the 19 appearances he made from July to the end of the season, including a 2-3 inning loss in the regular-season finale against the Braves in a failed bid for the postseason. He finished the season 3-4 with a 5.48 ERA. Erratic control and poor poise kept him away from pitching in the high-leverage situations he was hired to handle.

In 2011, those innings will be secured by Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Jose Contreras and J.C. Romero, that is, in games where the four aces can't make it past the seventh inning. Listen to the Phillies' brass this winter and you'll hear a team eager to see which young player or veteran reclamation project can step up, knowing the time to groom the bullpen of the future has arrived with Madson set to make a splash in free agency and Lidge looking at a pricey 2012 option.

Baez's spot is the obvious testing ground. As long as Antonio Bastardo doesn't have a meltdown this spring, he'll make the bullpen as the second lefty and fifth body overall, so then, the Phillies are already seking pitchers to handle swing and sponge work. So unless Baez knocks their socks off in Spring Training and proves he belongs among the Phillies' last line of defense, what's the point? Wouldn't the Phillies rather get a good, long look at guys like Justin De Fratus or Michael Schwimer than waste a lot of time seeing what Baez has left? Isn't it finally time to see what Scott Mathieson is made of? And what about the long list of veteran reclamation projects, guys Jason Grilli and Matt Anderson who have been gaining back strength? They'll start in minor league camp, but could move up quickly with impressive showings.

Then there's the matter of Kyle Kendrick. If the Phillies keep Joe Blanton, isn't there greater value in keeping Kendrick stretched out as a sixth starter down in the minor leagues? Nothing in Kendrick's repertoire suggests a solid future in the 'pen, and I'm sure the Phillies would be comfortable having David Herndon carry the pink bullpen bag again. With all these moving parts and possibilities, is it any wonder the Phils won't return Chad Durbin's calls?

Another ex-second baseman gets a gig: With the earlier coaching and managerial signings of Juan Samuel, Mickey Morandini and Ryne Sandberg, one Beerleaguer commenter quipped that it's only a matter of time before Marlon Anderson gets a call. Well the Nationals beat the Phillies to the punch, hiring him as their hitting instructor for Hagerstown. That means he could become the first professional hitting instructor for ballyhooed prospect Bryce Harper.

Correction: Last week, Beerleaguer reported on the independent league status of several former Phillies, including 2006 bullpen bust Julio Santana. Turns out it was another Julio Santana pitching in the independent Golden League. We at Beerleaguer deeply regret the error.

Feliz among veterans accepting a minor league deal

Pedro Feliz, the Phillies starting third baseman from 2008-09 and Beerleaguer's all-time leading hot-button issue, accepted a minor league offer from the Kansas City Royals yesterday.

It's always entertaining to see which players are no longer deemed worthy of a Major League contract and will head to Spring Training with a last chance minor league ticket. Earlier in the week, Greg Dobbs accepted a minor league deal with the Marlins. Yesterday, Lastings Milledge, Randy Winn, Juan Cruz, and Ron Mahay all signed minor league deals. Don't ask me how someone like Will Ohman can get a two-year deal from the White Sox, yet Mahay couldn't get the big league guarantee. Ohman's agent must be one jive turkey I guess.

Meanwhile, the Phillies are reportedly weighing a minor league offer to Gary Matthews Jr., one that wouldn't include an invite to big league camp, which means he's holding on by a thread. With Feliz, you could see this coming from a mile away. Two, sure-handed defensive years with the Phillies, a smattering of clutch hits, but a pair of frustrating and unproductive seasons at the plate prompted the Phillies to go in another direction. In 2010, he couldn't even gracefully transition into his new status as journeyman bench player, splitting between Houston and St. Louis and posting a foul-smelling .218/.240/.293.  Even Feliz's staunchest critics expected more. Feliz is expected to provide depth for the Royals, who also have Mike Aviles, Wilson Betemit and rookie Mike Moustakas as third-base candidates in camp.

In other news, the equipment truck has arrived at Citizens Bank Park.

Phillies considering Sarge Jr. for outfield depth

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com says a person with knowledge of the situation suggests the Phillies could take a minor flier on Gary Matthews Jr.

Matthews, who received one of the worst contracts in baseball history following his career year in 2006, has been in perilous offensive and defensive decline for the last four seasons. The 36-year-old son of Phillies broadcaster Gary “Sarge” Matthews was released by the Mets in May after a hitting just .190 (11-for-58), then caught on with the Reds, but opted out of his contract after the Reds couldn’t find room for him on their big league roster. At the time, he was hitting .313/.359/.490 with three home runs and six RBIs in 96 at bats for Triple-A Louisville.

Beerleaguer: He's shockingly horrible. Ask any Mets fan. This would be Sarge Jr.'s last hurrah, and a good gesture on the part of the Phillies. It reminds me of Willy Taveras, who the Phils inspected last season only to realize he was finished, just as others had discovered. Salisbury also mentioned Brad Wilkerson in his piece, the veteran outfielder who was invited to minor league camp last spring, didn’t make it and decided to hang ‘em up. Matthews would likewise go to minor league camp, according to Salisbury. The only possible hope is that he proves he can still play passably in the outfield, particularly in center field, since the Phillies need depth there. But I’d list the odds at less than 25 percent. The strong Triple-A numbers are a fluke. He's old. He can't hit. He's likely finished.

[Link to Salisbury Article]

Wednesday: What's the rush to extend Manuel?

Is there any harm in letting the favored Phillies play out the season before rewarding Charlie Manuel, who was at the helm and tactically culpable, when the superior Phils were bested by the Giants in the NLCS?

It's funny that for the last few days, Eagles head coach Andy Reid has been at the center of a firestorm for stating the obvious about David Akers' missed field goals in the Wild Card game, yet nobody said a peep when Manuel totally threw Shane Victorino under the bus two weeks ago in a Daily News article that painted the Gold Glove center fielder as a complacent airhead. "We've won games and went to a couple World Series," Manuel said. "It might be a relaxation thing or something like that. I think he got a little bit more home-run happy. He just didn't stay focused as much as he usually does."

Never mind the fact that Vic's homer and RBI numbers increased after an offseason preparing to hit seventh in order to, you know, generate in those specific categories. Manuel and the front office were eager to turn his power loose and mentioned it every chance they could. After all, it's one of the reasons they signed Placido Polanco.

Which brings us to Manuel. Since nobody is positioned to publicly criticize Manuel the way he did with Vic, maybe someone should. In fact, Angelo Cataldi, of all people, writing in his Metro column today, did just that. He flips all this matter-of-fact, matter-of-time extension talk on its ear and reminds readers of all the costly, poor choices Cholly made in the Championship Series, the downward spiral of Jimmy Rollins, and not to sound like a complete ass, the fact that we have been deprived of a title since 2008.

2008! I didn't even have any Facebook friends back then.

Hoover signs minor league deal with Red Sox

Triple-A veteran Paul Hoover, 34, served as the Phillies' third-string catcher for two seasons. Baseball America was the first to report Hoover's signing.

Hoover started six games behind the plate in 2010, getting the call when Brian Schneider was sidelined three weeks in May with a strained Achilles. Suffering a midseason injury of his own, the Phillies reached for Lehigh Valley teammate Dane Sardinha instead of Hoover when Carlos Ruiz went down with a concussion. Hoover would later return as a September call-up, finishing the season 5-for-22 (.227) in limited duty. With Lehigh Valley, he split time with Sardinha and posted a par-for-the-course .247/.326/.345 line with three homers in 286 plate appearances. He elected free agency after the season. Hoover is also remembered for producing the game-winning hit in the Phillies' meaningless extra-inning win in the final game of the 2009 season (pictured right). Sardinha, who was brought back by the Phillies, and non-roster invitee Erik Kratz, formerly of the Pirates' Triple-A team, are slated to catch for Lehigh Valley.

Beer nuts: Halladay has a new workout buddy

CSNPhilly.com has learned that Roy Halladay worked out at Citizens Bank Park while in town to attend yesterday’s Sportwriters banquet.

Hey, Kyle Kendrick … Jealous? Word has it that Halladay joined teammate Cliff Lee for a quick workout down at the Bank yesterday, marking the first work-related function the two aces have performed together as comrades. Lee relocated to a condo in Rittenhouse Square this winter while Halladay makes his home not far from the Phillies’ spring training facilities in Clearwater. The Phillies media department also reported that Halladay was seen trudging through the outfield snow this morning. CSNPhilly’s John Finger notes that Halladay, Lee and Shane Victorino, also in town to collect a humanitarian award, are likely to stay grounded in Philly while they wait out the latest winter weather event. Meanwhile back in Florida, Halladay’s usual workout sidekick, Kendrick, is left to entertain the bevy of wide-eyed early arrivals like Justin De Fratus, Michael Schwimer and Italian Stallion Jason Grilli. Hide your loved ones, Ybor City.

The Daily Durbin: For the fourth time this winter, Chad Durbin appears unlikely to resign with the Phillies. The first subtle hint occurred when he was not offered arbitration and became a free agent. The second sign came when the club resigned Jose Contreras. The third and near-final straw was broken when the Phillies agreed to terms with J.C. Romero. The final nail in the coffin was hammered when Ruben Amaro Jr. suggested the Phillies are comfortable with the players they have. In other words, Durbin will be back in red pinstripes by the weekend.

Television schedule announced: The Phillies on Tuesday released the television breakdown for the upcoming season. Every game will be televised. Comcast SportsNet will carry 103 games, and the Comcast Network will air three games. MyPHL17 will air 45 games, including the season opener against Houston on April 1. ESPN will broadcast two Sunday games, and FOX will carry nine Saturday games in the regular season. (via CSNPhilly.com)