Archive for category Breaking News
The Curious Case of Chan Ho Park.
Posted by WTT in Ballplayer Lifestyle, Breaking News, Enemies, Free Agency, Phillies Rants on February 28th, 2010
The long and puzzling odyssey of Chan Ho Park’s stay in free agency ended last week when he signed with the New York Yankees. Here’s my take on this surprising development:
See, usually this would piss me off. I wanted to react with the old, “Oh, you’re too fucking good for our team? Had to take more money from the fucking YANKEES? Asshole.” But then, as I watched “1.2 million dollars” scroll across the screen I simply said, “What the fuck?”
I'm not sure if greed is a deadly sin, but if you have really stupid financial advisors and agents, then it definitely is.
For the last few months, I’ve been wondering why the Hell Chan Ho Park wasn’t a part of the Phillies’ 2010 plans. Charlie Manuel spoke about durability issues, which was uncharacteristic for the usually protective manager. Still, Park was excellent after being moved from the rotation and seemed like a logical fit for a team needing help in solidifying its bullpen. So, let’s take a look at exactly how this played out.
1. Phillies offer $3 million dollars.
2. Chan Ho Park’s people say ” no thanks.”
3. Ruben Amaro says “fuck you.”
4. Chan Ho Park’s people wait for a better offer.
5. That offer never comes.
6. Park signs with Yankees for just over $1 million.
The only thing we don’t know at this point is whether or not Park’s people called Ruben Amaro back sometime in January with contrition, offering massages, manicures, and free “happy-ending” coupons in return for that initial offer.
A special 4DR Welcome to Jose Contreras and Friends!
We do know, however, that the Phillies had moved on by the time Park had lowered his demands and now the Phillies can only hope that the additions of Dennys Baez and Jose Contreras will fill the hole left by the departure of Chan Ho Park.
And we also know that Chan Ho Park’s people fucked this one up.
Some Phillies Report, And So Do I…
Posted by WTT in Ballplayer Lifestyle, Breaking News, General Thoughts on February 20th, 2010
Just wanted to let everybody know that with the Phillies departure for Clearwater that we are officially back from our four month hiatus.
Sam Perlozzo is ready. Are you?
We are going to skip the “Who’s In/Who’s Out” bullshit because you can read that in a variety of other places. While Roy Halladay wakes up a 4:45 A.M. and Ryan Howard takes grounders from Sam Perlozzo when he’s not banging that Eagles cheerleader chick, I’ve already come up with some unique observations about the 2010 season (which you will see here shortly).
I can assure you that this site will return to full functionality and will be filled with more abrasive content than ever before. It’s going to be a Hell of a ride in 2010 and I’m excited to get things going and say the word ‘fuck’ a lot.
In the true spirit of Spring Training, I’m going to go Rick Vaughn (a la Major League 2) on you. I’m throwing five pitches and calling it a day.
Lee: Phillies raped me blind in the woods
Posted by Dickie Assburn in Breaking News, Playoffs and World Series, Trades on December 18th, 2009
Cliff Lee had a phone convo with some ESPN guy recently and said that he and Amaro exchanged a few pleasantries over a contract extension. He says that Amaro made an offer, that he (Lee) made a counteroffer, and then Cliff went off to the mountains or something to go hunt with his buddies. His wife called him and said she heard that he might be getting traded, so Lee called Ruben and he said that it basically ‘wasn’t real’ or something like that. And then, apparently, the deal was done a day later. Cliff says he is shocked and bit hurt over all of this.
So yeah, as I said, the Phils raped Cliff Lee blind in the woods… what else could you get out of that information?
This might be the main difference to me when comparing Cliff and Doc: Halladay will DEMAND the ball on 3 days rest if we need it in the Playoffs. I know Cliff said he’d take the ball if Charlie asked him too, but I didn’t really like that. You need your ace in those moments. The Yankees used a three man rotation for a long ass time throughout the playoffs… Their three best pitchers – guys who are pretty damn good. I just would’ve liked if Lee was a vocal leader in that situation, and a guy who would’ve demanded that he pitch – something that, I believe, Halladay will be if given the chance.
That is my lone beef with Cliff Lee. He’s an amazing pitcher and he was lights out for us. I have no complaints.
John Sickels from minorleagueball.com released an updated report on who he believes the top 20 prospects are in our organization and why about an hour ago.
sup fool
1) Domonic Brown, OF, Grade B+: Borderline A-. I love this guy, but the tools aren’t quite refined yet and they need to give him a solid consolidation season in 2010, start him off in Reading and leave him there until July no matter what he does.
2) Trevor May, RHP, Grade B-: Borderline B. I love the upside with this arm as demonstrated in his K/IP and H/IP ratios, but he needs to cut back on the walks.
3) Phillipe Aumont, RHP, Grade B-: High upside arm acquired from the Mariners but I worry about his durability and mechanics.
4) J.C. Ramirez, RHP, Grade B-: Another high upside arm acquired from the Mariners. High Desert hurt his numbers. I’ve always liked him better than the numbers indicate I should, and I think a breakout is possible in 2010.
5) Anthony Gose, OF, Grade C+: Love the speed, youth, and the athleticism. Don’t like the high strikeout rate for a guy without much power. Most advanced of the uber-tools players collected in this system in recent drafts.
6) Sebastian Valle, C, Grade C+: Excellent power potential and very young, but plate discipline and defense need work.
7) Domingo Santana, OF, Grade C+: Another tools guy, excellent power production in the Gulf Coast League but plate discipline/contact could be issues. Could rank much higher next year.
8 ) Tyson Gillies, OF, Grade C+: Draws walks, steals bases with outstanding speed, good glove, fun to watch. Most of his power came at High Desert; Double-A production could raise him to a B- or even a B. Could rank as high as fifth if you want to value his polish over pure upside of Gose, Valle, and Santana.
9) Jarred Cosart, RHP, Grade C+: Live arm, good stats in limited GCL sample, negative reports about makeup are a concern but he’s young enough to outgrow that. Like Santana, could rank much higher next year.
10) Antonio Bastardo, LHP, Grade C+: I’ve liked the guy for awhile and expect him to be a good pitcher, but durability problems make it more likely as a reliever. – http://www.minorleagueball.com/2009/12/18/1207506/philadelphia-phillies-top-20
Oh, and the Phils exercised their club option on Rollins for 2011… keepin’ the rims spinnin’ on that Cadillac, I guess?
Amaro and Halladay Finally Fuck
Posted by Bay Slugga in Breaking News, Media and Press on December 17th, 2009
Go back and read the archives and see for yourself. Sometime around last season’s trade deadline, this website blogged about two things – Roy Halladay and Brad Lidge. Well now the wait is finally over, and all our sexual metaphors and homosexual references between Halladay, Amaro, and the Phillies have finally become a reality. Life is good for us Phillies fans.
Ruben, please remove your hand from my ass.
And now, the smoke is beginning to clear…
Posted by Dickie Assburn in Breaking News, Minor Leagues on December 15th, 2009
What I’ve known since midday yesterday was that Roy Halladay is going to wear red and white next year. That’s all well and good. He is a great pitcher, a great leader, and I’m happy to have him on our team.
Just like the Yankees may have given up more than many thought they would have to get a guy like Granderson a few weeks ago (biased Yankees fans: suck a dick), I am scared that the Phillies may have one-upped that deal.
In effect, we traded OF Michael Taylor, IF Jason Donald, C Lou Marson, RHP Carlos Carrasco, C Travis d’Arnaud, RHP Jason Knapp, and fiiiinally, RHP KYLE DRABEK for Halladay and some prospects I’m unsure about.
BaseballAmerica’s Top Prospects in the Phils’ Organization for 2009:
| 1. | Dominic Brown, of |
| 2. | Carlos Carrasco, rhp |
| 3. | Lou Marson, c |
| 4. | Jason Donald, ss |
| 5. | Kyle Drabek, rhp |
| 6. | Michael Taylor, of |
| 7. | Travis D’Arnaud, c |
| 8. | Zach Collier, of |
| 9. | J.A. Happ, lhp |
| 10. | Jason Knapp, rhp |
As you can see, 7 out of these 10 prospects are no longer with us. I’d go as far as saying that 8 of them are gone, because J.A. Happ really can’t be considered a ‘prospect’ anymore.
Then again, we all knew Lee very possibly could have left after this season. All signs pointed to him testing the free agent market.
I don’t know what to say/think. Thoughts?
Update from Winter Meetings
Posted by Dickie Assburn in Breaking News on December 7th, 2009
UPDATE: 12/09, 2:57PM
1) The Phillies have signed pinch hitter Ross Gload to a contract. Gload played for the Royals and Marlins last season and is a lifetime .283 hitter. Not a bad pick up by any means.
2) Twins, Astros and Orioles all have interest in Pedro Feliz.
3) No further word yet on Joe Blanton trade rumors.
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UPDATE 12/08, 11:58AM
1) Brad Penny signed by the Cardinals for one-year, 7.5 million in base salary. This isn’t Phillies news, but it sort of is. If the Cardinals were willing to sign a guy that absolutely sucked last year for 90% of the season for that much money, they might not be too confident that they can re-sign Matt Holliday. That means he might go to the Red Sox, Mariners, Mets (a stretch.) Yankees likely won’t be players, as people have said they are aiming to cut down on their payroll (LOL WTF?!)
2) Phillies have inquired about Aroldis Chapman aka the flamethrowing niño out of Cuba.
3) Phillies were heavily looking at Betancourt, which apparently prompted the Rockies to offer him arbitration. He has since accepted the offer.
4) John Lackey’s agent and the Mets had a long meeting, but it’s unclear whether the Mets are willing to meet his contract demands.
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12/07
Some things to lick on:
1) Phillies are listening to offers on Joe Blanton. Motive? Free up cash for bullpen upgrades.
2) Phillies have met with Brandon Lyon’s agent.
3) Brett Myers’ agent had discussions with the Texas Rangers. Myers wants a multi-year deal, but the Rangers are only offering a one-year deal.
4) Pat Burrell trade rumor was apparently bullshit according to ’sources.’