Phils Extend Madson

The Phillies have signed Ryan Madson to a three-year, $12 million extension. Another great move to keep the core of this team together.

The deal was first reported by Jim Salisbury of the Inquirer.

The extension of Ryan Madson is a great deal by Ruben Amaro, Jr. because it keeps the back end of the rotation intact, together. Both Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge will begin their three year deal, this year. It was reported earlier this week that Ryan Madson had declined a similar deal and things looked dim with Scott Boras as his agent and speaking of comparisons to Mariano Rivera. It is definitely nice to see Ryan Madson understand the role he excels in best.

Time to lock up Ryan and Shane and we're golden!

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Phillies Offseason Preview; Rollins on Block?

The World Champion Phillies are going to have to make a lot of decisions in the upcoming offseason. They will have to make moves that will keep the team not only financially stable, but also good enough to keep expectations high. Ken Mandel of MLB.com has outlined the decisions the Phillies have to make. [MLB.com]

CONTRACT ISSUES

Free agents: OF Pat Burrell; LHP Jamie Moyer; LHP Scott Eyre; RHP Tom Gordon; INF Tadahito Iguchi; RHP Rudy Seanez; OF So Taguchi.

Eligible for arbitration: 1B Ryan Howard; LHP Cole Hamels; OF Shane Victorino; OF Jayson Werth; RHP Joe Blanton; RHP Ryan Madson; INF/OF Greg Dobbs; RHP Chad Durbin; RHP Clay Condrey; INF Eric Bruntlett.

Club options: Tom Gordon, RHP, $4 million (declined); So Taguchi, OF, $1.25 million (declined).

Non-tender possibilities: None.

It will be an interesting offseason for the Phillies. They have a number of players that are expected to see annual raises and then you have to consider signing both Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels long-term.

There have been some other shocking rumors as well that could really play into the Phillies offseason.

- Giants beat writer, Andrew Baggerly seems to feel that the Phillies will listen to offers for shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

- Curt Schilling appears to be open to returning to the Phillies if they're interested. [Daily News]

- Ut oh! Scott Boras is comparing Ryan Madson to Mariano Rivera circa 1996 when Rivera was the set up man for John Wetteland. [Daily News]

For more rumors on the Phillies, head on over to MLB Trade Rumors and continue to check in here.

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Phillies Avoid Arbitration with Lidge, Madson

The Phillies avoided arbitration with right-handed pitchers Ryan Madson and newly acquired Brad Lidge. Lidge received a $1 million raise to $6.35 million for one year, while Madson received a 300,000 raise to push her salary to $1.4 million for next season.

Eric Bruntlett and Ryan Howard are the only arbitration players that remain for the Phillies.

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