Tagged: Anaheim Angels
Phillies were Mystery Team for AJ Burnett
UPDATE, February 19th: Buster Olney of ESPN reports that the Phillies were close to sending SP Joe Blanton to the Anaheim Angels for Outfielder Bobby Abreu, a former Phillie. The Phillies then planned on trading Abreu to the New York Yankees for SP AJ Burnett. The deal probably would have brought flashbacks to many fans, as the Phillies traded Abreu to the Yankees for four minor leaguers in 2006. None of them panned out. The Phillies believed that Burnett was better than Blanton and, having two years left on his contract, would provide a bit of a safety net if a Hamels extension did not work out. If this is true it shows that the Phillies are still actively attempting to find a suitor for Blanton.
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UPDATE, February 18th: Recent reports has surfaced that state that the Phillies were attempting to orchestrate a three team trade that would have sent Burnett to Philadelphia and Blanton to a third team. The Phillies believed that Burnett would be better than Blanton. The Phillies were unable to find a taker for Blanton, and thus the deal did not go down.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Starter AJ Burnett and $20 million from the New York Yankees for two prospects yesterday in a salary dump. However, as is typical these days, there was reportedly a mystery team involved towards the very end.
Once again, that mystery team was the Philadelphia Phillies.
Baffling, I know. Buster Olney reported that the Phillies were the mystery team in the Burnett talks, though the Phillies needed to unload Joe Blanton before they could make the move. Perhaps the Pirates would have been interested.
If the Phillies could have gotten a similar deal on Burnett that the Pirates did, giving up two middling prospects and only taking on $13 million, and they managed to trade Blanton, that would’ve freed up $2 million for potential uses later, which could be the difference between standing pat and making a big move at the trading deadline. Just goes to show that even on the eve of Spring Training, the Phillies are still attempting some unorthodox moves to make the team better.
Phillies Sign Chad Qualls
The Phillies have been bargain hunting this offseason, and a bargain they did find. Reliever Chad Qualls has signed a one-year, $1.15 million deal with the Fightins. In comparison, the one year pact he had with the Padres in 2011 paid him over $2 million. Qualls had a decent year in 2011 for the Padres, going 6-8 with a 3.51 ERA. His peripherals weren’t the greatest, though his ground ball rate was over 50%. This should translate well to Citizens Bank Park. At the end of 2011, in his final 19 appearances, Qualls caught fire. He held opponents to a .219 average and recorded a 1.96 ERA.
On the downside, the Phillies are now, at least according to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, in line to pay the luxury tax.
Stark reports that the Phillies traded Infielder Wilson Valdez to Cincinnati in order to free up his salary of $960K and that that was not enough. The Phillies still remained at a little over $178 million, which is the luxury tax threshold. The move now puts their payroll at $180 million. As it stands now, the Phillies are in line to become the 5th club in history to have to pay the luxury tax. They would also be the first team in the NL to join the ‘prestigious’ club.
Including the upcoming 2012 season, the Yankees have paid the tax 10 times (2003-present), the Red Sox 7 times (2004-2007; 2010-present), the Angels once (2004), and the Tigers once (2008).
How would the Phillies return to the non-tax spending majority? How else have they tried to free up salary the past few seasons?
Trade Joe Blanton of course.
With the emergence of Vance Worley and the depth signings of guys like Joel Pineiro and Dave Bush, Blanton has become expendable. The Phillies hope to deal him after he proves he’s healthy in Spring Training. No idea who would be takers for Blanton. Baltimore perhaps? I’m sure Ruben will be able to work his magic if the Phillies are as desperate as Stark says they are.
Of course, this is all assuming that Stark is correct. I would expect a little more scrambling on the Phillies’ part if this was correct.
Phillies Sign Joel Pineiro, Avoid Arbitration with Kendrick
The 2011-12 offseason has been all about improving the Phillies’ depth, and even in late January, Ruben Amaro continues to do just that.
The Phillies have signed Starting Pitcher Joel Pineiro to a minor-league deal, one that includes and invite to Spring Training. The Phillies don’t have much behind their major league rotation in the minors, so being able to stash a major league proven vet at AAA is always a great thing to be able to do.
After having a solid 2009 with the Cardinals, Pineiro signed a 2 Year/$16 Million deal with the Anaheim Angels, and the injury bug hampered him throughout the contract. Pineiro slogged through 145 innings in 2011, finishing with a 7-7 record and a 5.13 ERA. He allowed an average of 11.2 hits per 9 innings, struck out 62 batters, and finished with a WHIP north of 1.5. Pineiro should, barring any other similar signings, slot in as the #7 starter on the Phillies depth chart, providing the Phillies with some breathing room in case of any injury.
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The Phillies now only have to deal with 3 arbitration cases after signing Starter Kyle Kendrick to a 1 Year/$3.585 million deal. Kendrick had perhaps the best year of his career in 2011, logging 114 innings, posting a record of 8-6, and had an ERA of 3.22. Kendrick appeared in 34 games in 2011, 15 of them being starts.
With Kendrick out the way, the Phillies can focus on their three remaining cases: Infielder Wilson Valdez, who is projected to earn $950,000, Outfielder Hunter Pence, who is projected to earn $11 million, and Starter Cole Hamels, who is projected to earn $14 million.
Phillies Likely to Re-Sign Brad Lidge
With Ryan Madson off to Cincinnati to become their new closer and Kerry Wood likely to resign with his beloved Chicago Cubs, the Phillies have to look elsewhere for their relief help. A little closer to home.
Jon Heyman of CBS reports that the Phillies are expecting to check in on former Cincinnati closer Francisco Cordero, but it’s far more likely that the Phillies will now sign former Philly closer Brad Lidge.
Lidge, 35, only pitched in 19 and a third innings in 2011 due to a shoulder injury that sidelined him until August. Lidge was 0-2 with a 1.40 ERA. He allowed 16 hits, walked 13, and did not surrender a walk. Brad struck out 23 and recorded an ERA+ of 282. He posted rates of 7.4 H/9, 6.1 BB/9, and 10.7 K/9. Keep in mind, these are over a small sample size.
Lidge only recorded 1 save last year, but it just so happened that 1 save was his 100th in a Phillies uniform, making him the 4th closer in franchise history to reach the mark. Only Mitch Williams (102), Steve Bedrosian (103), and Jose Mesa (112) have more saves.
Brad’s hometown Colorado Rockies appear to have bailed out of the Lidge sweepstakes, and the Angels only have minor interest. My best guess would have Lidge signing a cheap one-year deal with the Phillies within the next two weeks.
Relief Notes: Accardo, Madson, Wood
The Phillies are in search of some relief help, as Jose Contreras’ rehab appears to not be going according to plan.
As a result of their need for depth, the Phillies are in talks with Reliever Jeremy Accardo about a potential minor league deal. Accardo, 30, was outrighted by the Orioles back in November after putting up a 5.73 ERA in 37.2 Innings in 2011. He put up strikeout rates of 5.5 per 9, and walk rates of 4.3 per 9.
In an interview today, Jayson Stark reported that the Phillies have not shut the door on former Set-Up Man and Closer Ryan Madson. However, Stark says a reunion is extremely unlikely. But when you have a desperate man looking for work, you never know what crazy stuff will go down, so I wouldn’t totally write this one off yet.
At least not until the Phillies sign another Reliever, as they look to do with Kerry Wood. GM Jed Hoyer said today that the Cubs offered Wood a “substantial raise” from the under-value $1.5 Million he made in 2011. However, in a conflicting report, Dave Kaplan of CSNChicago says that Wood’s days as a Cub are “all but over”. In addition to the Cubs and Phillies, the Tigers, Reds, and Angels have all expressed interest in Wood.
Due to the release of John Bowker, the Phillies have one spot open on the 40-man roster. Whether that means a promotion or a FA signing is near is unknown, but we’ll keep you posted.
Phillies Pursuing Brad Lidge
Ol’ Lights Out Lidge may not be done with the Phillies yet.
Ken Rosenthal from FOX Sports reports that the Phillies are in negotiations with Free Agent Reliever Brad Lidge, and that the Angels are on the “periphery”. The Rockies appear to have ceased negotiations with Lidge.
Brad Lidge, 35, only pitched 19 and a third innings for the Phillies last year, as he was sidelined most of the season with an injury. However, in those 19 and a third, Lidge was very good. He posted a 1.40 ERA, 10.7 K/9, and allowed no home runs. The 6.1 BB/9 will be something to watch going forward though.
Lidge could be a cheaper alternative to Free Agent Kerry Wood, who is said to be seeking a 1-Year Deal worth $4 million. With the Phillies right up against the luxury tax, that is too much for the Phillies to pay. A One-Year, $1-2 Million deal with Lidge is realistic. He would be a mentor for the young arms rising through the ranks, and could possibly recapture some old magic in a new middle-innings role.
“At this point I probably could have taken some offers” Lidge said today in an interview with MLB.com’s Paul Hagen. “At the same time, they weren’t quite right for me…”
Lidge expects to make a decision soon, and mentioned that no doors have closed on a possible return to Philadelphia.
Angels Will Not Pursue Ryan Madson
Something tells me Ryan Madson is not very happy with Scott Boras.
Considered to be the only team that could potentially sign Free Agent Closer Ryan Madson, the Anaheim Angels have dropped out of the running, leaving a grand total of zero teams in on him. Angels GM Jerry Dipoto said Thursday that the Angels had already made their most signifcant offseason additions.
“Closer has never been the real priority” Dipoto said.
With that, the Reds are the only team left that needs a closer, but they have not even contacted Madson’s agent yet. They also have an offer on the table for Free Agent Closer Francisco Cordero, though it has been reported that he has many other offers. If he goes elsewhere, the Reds could certainly be in on Madson.
If the Reds get Cordero, then things should get interesting.
Reds Make Offer To Cordero; Have Not Contacted Madson
Just when you think Ryan Madson’s luck couldn’t get any worse.
Jon Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Cincinnati Reds have not even contacted Scott Boras, the agent of Ryan Madson, let alone engage in any serious negotiations. This comes on the heels of Cincinnati GM Walt Jocketty stating that the Reds have a one-year offer on the table for Closer Francisco Cordero. Fay speculates that the deal is worth less than $7 million. Jocketty did say that Cordero was weighing his options, as he has multiple offers on the table.
If Cordero does lock down a deal with the Reds, cross off yet another suitor for Madson’s services.
If the Reds are no longer in play, that would leave the Anaheim Angels. They already have an incumbent closer in sophomore Jordan Walden, and they would only sign Madson for cheap. Even then, he may only be a set-up guy. The Tampa Bay Rays are also in need for a closer, but once again, Madson would need to sign for cheap. Even then, they have a multitude of in-house options for the position.
Madson’s best bet may be to cut his losses and sign a one-year deal and hopefully chase the big dollar signs next offseason. Unfortunately for Madson, that one-year deal would have to be a cheap one.
The Bastardo-Madson-Papelbon dream may still have life.
Red Sox Acquire Andrew Bailey
Ryan Madson may soon have to file for unemployment.
The Boston Red Sox, one of the final suitors in the running for Free Agent Closer Ryan Madson, have filled their 9th inning need. The Red Sox have sent Right Fielder Josh Reddick and two prospects- 20-year-old Third Baseman Miles Head and 19-year-old Right Handed Pitcher Raul Alcantara to Oakland. In return, the Red Sox received All-Star Closer Andrew Bailey and Outfielder Ryan Sweeney.
The Athletics are in full sale mode as they prepare for their probable move to San Jose. The Athletics reportedly want to field a young team when they open their new stadium in a few years and anybody who doesn’t fit in their mold for that team needs to go. The A’s already traded Starter Trevor Cahill and Reliever Craig Breslow to the Diamondbacks for prospects earlier this month. They also traded Ace Gio Gonzalez to Washington.
What does this mean for Ryan Madson?
The Cincinnati Reds reportedly prefer Closer Francisco Cordero, who has been their 9th inning guy since 2008. That leaves no job for the Mad Dog right? Wrong.
Who else but the Anaheim Angels? Despite spending over $350 million on Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson, the Angels still want to add-on to their bullpen, which was one of the league’s worst in 2011. Further complicating matters, however, is the fact that the Angels have stated that they intend on complementing current closer Jordan Walden, not replacing him. Ryan Madson would definitely want the closer job, and he would have to take a pay cut to go there, only to be a set-up man.
The Tampa Bay Rays are looking for a closer, but would only sign Madson if he took a huge pay-cut which, come Late January or Early February, he may have to do unless he wants to sit out 2012. But if you’re going to take a huge pay-cut to go somewhere on a probable one-year deal, why not do it with the Phillies? The Phillies are expected to have somewhere between $3 and $8 million of wiggle-room, depending on how arbitration goes with Hunter Pence and Cole Hamels.
Madson could certainly fit in that scenario, but he would have to take a pay-cut from 2011 to do it. But desperate times call for desperate measures. If the Angels don’t jump on Madson, don’t be surprised to see Boras crawl back to the Phillies in Late January.
Wouldn’t that be a sight to see?
Rollins, Phillies Negotiations Expected to Stall
The Phillies may not have to face Anaheim First Baseman Albert Pujols for the next decade (Fall Classics aside), but he leaves one final nasty surprise on the Phillies doorstep. Remember the reports that stated the Cardinals would only be in on J-Roll if the Cardinals failed to sign Albert Pujols?
They didn’t sign Albert Pujols.
The Milwaukee Brewers signed Shortstop Alex Gonzalez to a 1-year deal, so the only other team with interest in Rollins is out of the fray. The Phillies and Rollins were reportedly close to a 3 year, $39 million deal, but the game has changed. The Cardinals are interested. Jimmy will reassess and look at all his options. Best case scenario is that J-Roll signs the 3/39 deal, albeit after a slightly dragged out process. Worst case is the Cardinals steal J-Roll from the Phillies. J-Roll could, and probably will, use the Cardinals to his advantage to try and get the Phillies to add a fourth year to his contract.
Rambling Phillies Fan 