The Phillies re-signed left-handed reliever JC Romero to a 3 year, $12 million contract.
The Phillies hold a club option for a fourth year that could bring the total value of the contract to $16.75 million. That’s not too bad considering that in 51 games with the Phillies, Romero posted a 1.24 ERA and held opponents to a .130 batting average. During that stretch, lefties went 5-for-40 (.125) against Romero.
Considering JC Romero was only a good pitcher for about a month and a half in his career, I am not sure what to think of this deal. I praise the Phillies for what they're trying to do, and I understand it is really hard to not overspend anymore, but I would have preferred the deal to be only a 2 year deal with an option for 3.
The Phillies bolstered their rotation and bullpen yesterday when they acquired Brad Lidge from the Houston Astros for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary and Mike Costanzo.
The move makes Lidge the Phillies' closer next season. It also returns Brett Myers to the rotation.
But The Inquirer has learned that the Phillies also are close to a multi-year deal with left-handed relief pitcher J.C. Romero.
An announcement could come as early as today. If an agreement is reached and Romero returns to the Phillies' bullpen, the back end of the bullpen next season would include Lidge, Romero, Tom Gordon and Ryan Madson.
But the Phillies might not be finished improving their pitching yet. They still would like to find another starter, if possible. They need depth at that spot, especially because Adam Eaton is having shoulder issues. He recently had a MRI, but the Phillies don't feel surgery will be required.
Thus far, Pat Gillick is sticking to his word to improve pitching.
Also, the Daily News reports that the Phillies are looking at Japanese starting pitcher, Hiroki Kuroda.
It's logical to assume there will be vigorous bidding for Kuroda, who was 12-8 with a 3.56 earned run average for the Carp last season. He led Japan's Central League with a 1.85 earned run average in 2006 and has 74 complete games in 244 career starts.
He would be particularly attractive since, unlike Daisuke Matsuzaka, he would not require a posting fee; Boston paid the Seibu Lions $51 million just for the rights to negotiate with Dice-K last winter. Also, the team that signs him would not have to give up a compensatory draft choice.
If you thought the Phillies would attempt to sign a good or even an average third baseman, don't count on it. However, this is not because the Phillies are not looking to spend money, but they are looking to spend money on pitching. I'd expect us also to look to re-sign Abraham Nunez, a deal I'd be okay with because he is very good defensively.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, the Phillies have not placed a premium on bolstering the third base position this winter. Instead, general manager told reporters from the General Manager meetings in Orlando that he has a bigger fish to fry:
"Because we're going to concentrate on improving our pitching," Gillick told the Inquirer.
According to reports, this winter's free-agent crop of third basemen includes Alex Rodriguez and Mike Lowell. Potential trade candidates include Miguel Cabrera, Garrett Atkins, Hank Blalock, Adrian Beltre, Miguel Tejada and Joe Crede. But Gillick said he believes the Phillies can make it through the season with Wes Helms and Greg Dobbs at third with the thought of adding a defensive specialist to come into games during the late innings.
As far as the pitching goes, the Phillies' reported priority remains to re-sign reliever J.C. Romero.
Why would we sign a much needed left-handed reliever who performed well for us down the stretch?
It looks as if lefthander J.C. Romero could be pitching elsewhere next season. Romero, who played a major role this season in helping the Phillies win their first National League East championship since 1993, appears far apart from the Phillies in early contract negotiations.
If you were looking for any sort of change with the Philadelphia Phillies coaching staff, you will not see it happen. The entire coaching staff has been re-signed.
I think the coaching staff works well together and has helped the team, BUT I cannot stand Steve Smith coaching third. Sure he did get a little better over the season, but some of his blunders really cost us early on. Also, I am on the fence regarding Dubee. I think he made something out of our nothing pitching staff, along with the fact Kendrick, Romero, and Myers have all faired better while Dubee has been here. On the other hand, our staff has seen a lot of injuries and I think conditioning should take some of the blame. Should that blame be pointed toward the pitching staff or the pitching coach? I am not quite sure. I am sure he'd look a hell of a lot better if he actually had real talent to work with.
In other Phillies news, CJ Henry has been released. You can read the article about it here. Just another Phillies trade in their history where in the end they have received nothing in return.
We Hate to Lose began in October 2007. The initial purpose of the website was to provide news updates and commentary on all four major sports teams in Philadelphia. Because of time-constraints, in April of 2009, I decided to post only on my first-love, the Philadelphia Phillies.
My name is Justin Evans and I hope you enjoy the site.
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