Phillies Sign Contreras; Other News

Earlier today, it was said that the Phillies backed off on John Smoltz, but were interested in Jose Contreras. ESPN’s Enrique Rojas is reporting that the Phillies have agreed to a one-year deal with Contreras, pending a physical.

Because Smoltz wants to start, the Phillies moved onto Contreras, who will serve as a right-handed reliever. Contreras, 38, went 6-13 with a 4.92 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP with the Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies in 131.2 innings last year.

In other Phillies news, the Phillies apparently offered Cliff Lee a 3-year, $60 million extension before he was traded. It is uncertain whether Lee formally denied the offer.

Yesterday, the Phillies avoided arbitration with Joe Blanton and Shane Victorino by signing them both to a three-year deal. Blanton will get $24 million; Victorino $22. Blanton originally wanted a laughable $10.25 million in arbitration, but the Phillies offered him seven. Nevertheless, the Phillies and Blanton worked out the differences.

MLB News:

The New York Mets acquired Gary Matthews Jr. If you were unaware, thats Sarge's (Phillies broadcaster) son. Matthews spent most of the 2009 season on the bench. He makes $11 million this year.

The Mets recently missed out on Bengie Molina. The Mets offered the catcher a $5 million deal, but he accepted the Giants' $4.5 million offer.

The Kansas City Royals reach an agreement with Rick Ankiel. The Nationals are interested in Mike Jacobs.

The Seattle Mariners signed Felix Hernandez, 23, to a five-year, $78 million deal. Hernandez had a 2.49 ERA in 2009.

Durbin Avoids Arbitration

Chad Durbin avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $2.125 million contract.

Durbin signed with the Phillies as a free agent in 2007. He pitched very well in 2008 which earned him $1.635 million in 2009. In 2010, Durbin gets a significant raise despite pitching almost 20 innings less and having an ERA almost two points higher in 2009, compared to 2008. Durbin went 2-2 with a 4.39 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 69.2 innings last year.

Carlos Ruiz, Shane Victorino and Joe Blanton remain arbitration eligible.

Other Phillies News: It was reported that Jimmy Rollins was in the Cayman Islands when an earthquake hit on Tuesday. Rollins, who is getting ready for his wedding, is reportedly fine.

Arbitration, Catchers, and Red Sox

The Hot Stove was buzzin' today. There was a lot of baseball news:

The Phillies signed Brian Schneider to a two year-deal worth just under $3 million. The Phillies might be eyeing John Smoltz. The Phillies also declined arbitration for free agents Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre.

The Phillies and Mets are basically switching catchers, because the Mets signed Chris Coste. The Mets also re-signed Alex Cora.

The Boston Red Sox are asking Dustin Pedroia to play short stop. The Red Sox are without a shortstop and the free agent market is small. Pedroia has played shortstop in the past, although not at the major league level. The Red Sox may also be looking at Adam Kennedy or Adam Everett. They are also interested in Rich Harden.

Roy Halladay said that he will not accept a trade after Spring Training. The pitcher said he would accept a trade to the Yankees, Phillies, Red Sox and Angels.

Joe Mauer denies any rumors stating that he has set a deadline for a contract extension.

Placido Polanco was not offered arbitration from Detroit. Adrian Beltre was offered arbitration from Seattle. The Angels offered arbitration to John Lackey and Chone Figgins.

The Houston Astros offered Jose Valverde arbitration, but not Miguel Tejada. The Cardinals, Phillies, Rangers, Astros and Giants are all interested in Tejada.

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired Kelly Shoppach from the Cleveland Indians. The Indians have some of the top catching prospects, including Lou Marson or Carlos Santana, both who could start this year.

Last but not least, Derek Jeter was named SI's Sportsman of the Year.

7 Down, 1 To Go; Other Updates

The Phillies avoided arbitration with reliever Chad Durbin on Wednesday, signing him to a one year, $1.635 deal.

For Durbin, a little over $1.5 million is reasonable. Durbin made just $900,000 in 2008, but his due to his performance, he deserved a raise. Giving Durbin too much money would not make much sense since 2008 was a career year for Durbin. He still has a high career ERA over 5. In 87.2 IP, Durbin was 5-4 with a 2.87 ERA during the 2008 season. The deal was just right. Not to high, not to low.

Toward the end of the season, Durbin faced a "dead arm" period and started to struggle. He managed to pitch through it.
The Phillies signed all their arbitration eligible players but one: Ryan Howard, who is still pushing for $18 million.

Prince Fielder is a similar player to Howard. Both have extreme power. The Milwaukee Brewers are close to signing the arbitration eligible Fielder to a 2 year deal that would be worth at least $18 million. Hear that Howard? Fielder is getting two years out of $18M.

Cole Hamels threw 3,914 pitches in 2008, leading the Majors. CC Sabathia, who was the 2007 leader (3,892), threw 3,912 pitches, finishing second. Brett Myers (3,718) was third. Joe Blanton (3,547) was 11th. The number of pitches includes the postseason, and for Myers, Minor Leagues.

Throwing as many pitches as these guys, it increases risk of injury. 10 out of 18 pitchers who reached the 3,400 pitch mark in 2007 had a serious injury in 2008.

Remember Freddy Garcia? Remember the hype around him when the Phillies got him?Remember how he made just 7 starts with the Phillies in 2007? Remember his ERA was over 5 in those starts? Remember how the Phillies gave him $10 million for one year?

Well, both New York teams are interested in him. The Mets and Yankees are the top front runners for him.

The Texas Rangers are close to signing Omar Vizquel. He agreed to a Minor League contract with a base salary of $1 million. The 41 year old is an 11 time Gold Glove Winner, and has played the most games at shortstop than anybody in MLB history.

Jeff Kent officially announced his retirement today. In 17 Major League seasons, Kent batted .290 with 377 homeruns. He had a career OPS of .856.

More Deals and No Deals

A few hours after the Phillies avoided arbitration with Shane Victorino, the Phillies did the same with starter Joe Blanton, signing him to a one year, $5.475 contract. Blanton made $3.7 million in 2008.

Blanton was acquired by the Oakland A's prior to the trade deadline. In 13 starts with the Phillies, Blanton was 4-0 with a 4.20 ERA. In the postseason, Blanton was 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA. Blanton even smacked a home run in the World Series.

In 2008, Ryan Howard tied an all time record for most money won in arbitration, $10 million. This year, Howard wants to nearly double that, going for $18 million. However, the Phillies offered him $14 million.

Although the amount of money requested by Howard is outrageous, he'll likely get it. Despite the strikeout totals and fielding miscues, Howard's side has the argument of leading the league in favorite categories, RBI and home runs.

Jayson Werth wants $4 million, however the Phillies offered him $3 million. Durbin is seeking $1.95, and the Phillies are offering him $1.35.

Phillies Avoid Arbitration with Victorino

The Philadelphia Phillies avoided arbitration with one of their key players once again. The Phillies signed Shane Victorino to a 1 year, $3.125 million contract. "The Flyin' Hawaiian" made just $480,000 in 2008.

So far, the Phillies were able to sign their arbitration eligable players for a fair and cheap amount. Victorino is no different.

Victorino led the team with a .293 AVG. He hit 14 homeruns and stole 36 bases. In the postseason, Victorino drove in 13 RBI. Victorino also won a Gold Glove Award in 2008.

The arbitration list for the Phillies shrinks to four players: Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Joe Blanton and Chad Durbin.

Phillies Sign Madson; Other Updates

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Ryan Madson to the same contract he turned down just days before. The only difference is this contract includes incentives.

The contract is worth $12 million over 3 years. This buys out Madson's last year of arbitration and 2 years of free agency.

Madson was 4-2 with a 3.05 ERA in 2008. He had his ups and downs throughout the year, but for the most part, Madson got the job done, especially in the playoffs, where he went 3-0 with a 2.13 ERA. Madson earned just $1.4 million in 2008.

Nick Markakis agreed to an extension with the Baltimore Orioles. The deal, the third largest in Orioles history, is 6 years worth $66 million.

In 3 Major Leagues years, the 25 year old is a career .299 hitter with a .851 OPS.

The Mariners avoided arbitration with Felix Hernandez, agreeing to a one year $3.8 million deal. Hernandez, 22, was 9-11 with a 3.45 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 2008.

Other notable players avoiding arbitration: Huston Street, Jorge De La Rosa (Rockies), Bobby Jenks, (1 year, $5.6 million, White Sox), Kevin Gregg (Cubs), Mike Gonzalez (Braves), Duaner Sanchez, Jeremy Reed (Mets), Jorge Cantu, Jeremy Hermida (Marlins), Mike Napoli (Angels).

Note: Former Phillie Tadahito Iguchi will return to Japan for the rest of his career.

Phillies Sign Hamels

"MLB preparing big changes MSNBC - 33 minutes ago Cincinnati, Ohio -- Upon being
alerted of Cole Hamels being promoted to the big leagues, MLB Commissioner Bud
Selig announced that the universal symbol for a strikeout will be changed from a
'K' to a 'C'. " -Cole Hamels Facts

The man known by his teammates as "Hollywood" will be star of the Philadelphia Phillies for at least the next 3 years. Colbert Michael Hamels signed a contract taking him through "again, again and again." The contract is a 3 year, $20.5 million deal including incentives and bonuses.

Somebody call the police, because this is a steal. The Phillies got Hamels extremely cheap. Adam Thomas Eaton, who may not even make the team out of Spring Training is making more money than Colbert in 2008. While they avoid arbitration with Cole, Hamels could be due for a big pay day when he reaches free agency.

In 2008, Hamels pitched 227.1 innings, a career high, good for third in MLB. He was 5th in the NL in ERA (3.09). He had a WHIP of 1.08, and struck out 196 batters. In the postseason, Hamels was 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA.

"Cole Hamels will win one Cy Young... and 11 Cole Hamels." -Cole Hamels
Facts

MLB Notes

Spring Training is less than a month away, and the free agent market is shrinking. It's all quiet on the Manny front, and other free agents like Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn are still available.

It is being reported that Ryan Madson turned down a 3 year, $12 million offer. Madson is eligible for arbitration, along with Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels and others. Madson has spent time as a starter and reliever in his career. Most of his success has been as a reliever, and in 2008 was known as "the bridge to Lidge" in his time as a setup man.

Madson was 4-2 in 2008 with a 3.05 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 67 SO in 82.2 IP.

In my opinion, the offer by the Phillies was reasonable. Any more than $4 million for a reliever who has had his struggles is ridiculous. However, with Scott Boras his agent, $4 million a year is an insult. Madson a Phillie beyond 2009 could be a question mark.

The Phillies also avoided arbitration with Greg Dobbs, signing him to a 2 year, $2.5 million deal. Last year, Dobbs set a Phillies record for most pinch hits (22) in a season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers officially cut ties with Andruw Jones, releasing him. A disappointing Jones was the franchises' highest paid player in their history. Jones batted just .158 in 75 games before having knee surgery in 2008.

The Cubs have signed former Phillie So Taguchi to a minor league deal. The Cubs also signed Ronny Cedeno to a one year, $822,000 contract.

The San Diego Padres signed David Eckstein to a one year, $850,000 contract. The hard nosed Eckstein batted .265 with 2 HR with the Toronto Blue Jays and Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008.

Also, MLB changed their ruling so that all postseason games will be played in its entirety. Also, one game playoffs will not be based on coin flips, but head to head matchups.