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John's Short Philly Update 12/11/08

Phillies: It’s the offseason and the rumors are flying. The Phillies have been reported to be interested in pitcher Chan Ho Park. He made the career move to a reliever after the beginning of his career was spent as a starter. If Philly brings him in, it isn’t known whether or not he will start or boost the bullpen. Park will be 36 next June. [CSN Philly]

I wouldn’t mind seeing Park as a reliever but there are better options. He would make an ok addition to what we already have, especially to the middle relief. Last year was Park’s first year in his 15 year career where he was primarily used as a reliever. Last season he had a solid 3.40 ERA in 54 games for the Dodgers. His WHIP was a 1.4 though and I do not want to have a guy putting men on base at that rate. Last year he was a great option in the beginning of the season but he wore down as the season went on in the late stages.

As far as starting goes, I want them to strongly pursue Moyer if anything. If we can get Moyer back, that’ll give us four solid starters. If we fail to get Derrick Lowe or AJ Burnett, which aren’t looking too good, Park may be our 5th starter which would just piss me off (and God knows what it would do to Justin). Also as Justin stated, if they make a move for Jason Marquis from Chicago, Ruben Amaro would be an even bigger idiot. He already let Pat Burrell go completely and I think he’s going to screw up the Moyer talks. Paulino was also a crappy move.

Eagles: Kevin Curtis did not practice today and his status is uncertain yet for Monday’s game versus Cleveland (4-9). He left the game with a concussion. He has been very solid in his return since the hernia he suffered in July/August. If he can’t go, DeSean Jackson, Jason Avant, and Hank Baskett will be McNabb’s primary options. Maybe Reggie Brown will get back into the mix as well but he has barely been a thought in Andy Reid’s head all year. Luckily LJ Smith established himself last week versus New York.

The Eagles (7-5-1) playoff hopes are still alive. If the Saints (7-6) beat Atlanta (8-5) on Thursday and the Giants (11-2) beat Dallas (8-5) on Sunday, an Eagles win will propel them into the 6th seed of the NFC. The Eagles must win out because a loss to the Browns would make it damn near impossible and a loss to Washington (7-6) or Dallas in the last two weeks will end all hopes because those teams beat Philly earlier this year.

Keep running Brian Westbrook. It if ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Flyers: The Flyers (14-7-6) are now tied in 2nd with Pittsburgh with 34 points, 6 shy of New York who have played 4 more games. They play the Carolina Hurricanes (13-12-3) tonight at 7pm. In their last 14 games, Philadelphia has gone 10-1-3, including two wins at Carolina and a loss on Black Friday in overtime.

Jeff Carter is playing amazing hockey and is still among the league leaders in goals with 20. He is already on pace to shatter his career high of 29 he had last year. Marty Biron has been very bad, giving up at least 3 goals in his 7th straight start. Antero Nittymaki should be getting the start tonight though since he is 2-0 versus Carolina, only allowing 2 goals.

The team has completely turned it’s game around since John Stevens’ meeting, the benching of Scott Hartnell, and the demotion to the 4th line for Joffrey Lupul.

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Phillies Rumors: 12/10

- Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that a Phillies official feels that the team may not be getting Mark DeRosa, but other players if they include themselves in the three-team trade.

They have not released any names and I am not sure who else on the Cubs would be a need for the Phillies. I hope to God it is not Jason Marquis. Any trade involving Marquis is a trade I'd firmly be against. Marquis is the player that seems to be a big hold up in the trade because the Cubs need to find a way to unload his $9.5 million salary. Also, the Padres will need to make some other moves to free up space on the 40-man roster.

- Some names that have come up are J.A. Happ and Chris Coste, but Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune adds a new name to the list in Jason Jaramillo.

The Phillies can get rid of Jaramillo. He has already been passed by Marson and he has not been able to really show what is necessary to be a factor in the Majors. He's not really a plus player at fielding or hitting. I wouldn't expect much more out of him than what the Phillies have with Carlos Ruiz.

- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports the deal just needs the Cubs okay and the Phillies are ready to pull the trigger.

While nothing appears imminent, the Cubs have done enough groundwork on the Peavy deal to pull it off quickly. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Jason Marquis would replace Sean Marshall in the package going to the Padres, with the Cubs eating more than half of his $9.8 million salary. The Phillies would send two pitching prospects to the Padres while acquiring DeRosa from the Cubs.

I have heard the Kyle Kendrick could be included in the deal. The likely prospects would be Happ and Kendrick. Kendrick's value has sunk dramatically, but I am a little surprised the Phillies would be willing to move their two most MLB-ready prospects for Mark DeRosa. I do not value the prospects that highly at all, but it does sound like a move to similar to Ed Wade.

More rumors after the jump.

- As if you haven't already figured it out, Pat Burrell will not be back with the Phillies. Scott Lauber reports that one of Burrell's agents, Ed Hayes, has come out and stated that Phillies are showing little interest in bringing back "The Bat."

"I'm hopeful but I'm also a realist, and I'd be surprised," Hayes said when asked if he could see Burrell continuing his career with the Phillies, the only team he has ever known. "I have not heard anything that would lead me to believe the club wants to have him back."

The Phillies do not have the $15-17 million it would take to keep Burrell around.

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Peavy? Moyer? Punto? DeRosa? Lowe?

First, I want to clarify that it is unlikely that the Phillies are going to acquire Jake Peavy. Actually, their name has been brought up because they'd be a third team in the trade. The discussed player coming back to the Phillies with be UPenn grad, Mark DeRosa who can play second base and outfield.

However, the Cubs have talked to a number of teams regarding a three-team trade, so it is not necessarily only the Phillies, at least according to Ken Rosenthal's source. There is a report out of the Chicago Sun-Times stating that a Cubs deal for Peavy is close and the Phillies still might be involved, so we'll see. It is reported that Phillies would likely send J.A. Happ and/or Chris Coste to San Diego.

With regards to Mark DeRosa, he would be a nice little player to add to the Phillies. He's a utility guy with far more offensive ability than Eric Bruntlett. In his last three years of near full-time duty, DeRosa has posted lines close to .290/.365/.450. Not quite Pat Burrell numbers, but by far the best numbers out of the players the Phillies are considering, especially because his defense is not terribly awful. At least if you're one of those Fantasy players that love to draft Phillies' players, DeRosa would be fantasy gold because he can play so many positions.

What about the old vet? Jon Heyman is reporting that Phillies are being very aggressive in trying to sign both Jamie Moyer and Derek Lowe. The Phillies and Moyer are at a bit of a standstill. The Phils have offered Jamie a 2-year contract worth $14 million. Moyer is looking or a 2-year deal worth $18 million. I have to side with the Phillies on this one. I don't mind their offer at all, even if it is the max I think they should offer him.

Once we get over loving the idea of him finishing his career with his home team and so forth, you have to realize that he is 46. He is a pitcher that allows a decent amount of base-runners and luck or a bigger strike-zone can change that. What if he doesn't get those corner calls next year? What if the contact he allows finds the holes. Do you really want to pay $9 million for his 2007 numbers? No. Do not expect Moyer to put up his 2008 numbers ever again. Retaining the youth of this team is far more important than the Disney picture story of Moyer walking to the sunset with a Phillies hat on his head.

With regard to Derek Lowe, there have been some conflicting reports. Some people have said the Phillies have a contract offer out there, but others say they were just looking at parameters and there is no real offer out there. Either way, Ruben Amaro, Jr. did indeed explain that they were interested.

Lastly, the Phillies are considering Nick Punto. No, thanks. I want nothing to do with his OPS+ of 74. I'll stick with Eric Bruntlett. Yes, his OPS+ is only 71, but we don't have to worry about over-paying him by any means.

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