Barring any new news, posting will continue to be light through the holiday. Here's what was missed since Beerleaguer has been on break.
The Brewers signed winter league star and history-making left-hander Juan Perez to a minor league deal. Perez, on July 8, became the first Phillies pitcher to strike out the side on nine pitches since Andy Ashby did it on June 15, 1991. The 33-year-old Triple-A journeyman had a terrific first half of the season with Lehigh Valley and pitched eight games for the Phils (3.60 ERA in 5 IP, 8/5 K/BB). When he was sent back to the minors following his feat, his season fell apart and he was rarely used. As usual, he's tearing up the Dominican Winter League.
Meanwhile, 40-year-old former catcher and current something-or-other Jorge Posada was linked to the Phillies in an ESPN Deportes report. The career Yankee hit .235/.315/.398 with 14 homers in 387 plate appearances for the Bombers last year, used mostly as a designated hitter. It seems the Phils have more than enough stationary thump, and the switch hitter hit a measly .092/.169/.108 off lefties last season. Posada would make sense if the Phillies hadn't signed Jim Thome and Erik Kratz was penciled in as the back-up catcher. Posada can catch about as much as Thome can play first base. If the Phils inquired, it must have been months ago.
If the Phils have any interest in a "Jorge," let it be 19-year-old five-tool Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, who has been linked to the Phillies and several teams. Some teams prefer Soler to Yoenis Cespedes, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. At this point, one could argue that the Phillies' focus should be to figure out a way to replenish the weakened farm system and Soler, a 6-3 outfielder with plus-plus everything, could round out Ruben Amaro's winter nicely. Bidding is expected to climb as high as $20 million ...
... if Soler actually exists outside of the internet.





