Hot Stove Commentary

Here is the latest Hot Stove news and rumors, and some unnecessary commentary:

Roy Halladay said that he would approve a trade to the New York Yankees. Traitor! Going to a division rival!? The Blue Jays want a pitcher and a hitter for him.

The Marlins might be looking to deal Josh Johnson. Typical Marlins: draft a good player. Bring him up through the farm system. Have a successful first few years in the big leagues. Then, trade him away for some prospects. Have those prospects come up and put together a successful team. Possibly win, then trade those players away. Repeat the process.

The Cubs are looking for an outfield bat. They still have to get rid of Monopoly-- errr, Milton Bradley.

Pirates would like to bring Mike Gonzalez back, but would it matter? They also might be looking at Blalock and Ankiel. Iwamura, Gonzo, Blalock, Ankiel, are they trying to be contenders?

The Baltimore Orioles would consider Erik Bedard and Ben Sheets. This is not much of a risk. Orioles probably won't contend in 2010 and both these guys have health issues. It would be worth a shot, as long as it's not too expensive.

Tim Lincecum is looking for a one year deal. Probably smart for him because when he wins another Cy Young, he'll be able to get another contract that makes even more money.

Jamie Moyer is doing well after minor surgery. Moyer had surgery to wash out a small collection of blood cells that could have been infected.

“The surgery is not likely to impact his rehab schedule and is likely to have minimal impact on his spring training schedule,” said Michael Ciccotti, the team doctor. Moyer will remain hospitalized until Monday.

Injuries and Elimination

Brett Myers was activated from the disabled list today. To make room on the 40-man roster, Joe Bisenius was out-righted to Lehigh Valley.

As one man returns, another suffers a setback. Clay Condrey’s (oblique) rehab assignment was pushed back because of a setback to his slow-healing muscle.

Ruben Amaro said that it is “possible” that Condrey could be done for the season, but won’t know details until Condrey visits the team physician next week.

Johan Santana, among others are finished with 2009. You can add Grady Sizemore to the list. His season is over. The Cleveland Indian's star center fielder will go under the knife for season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow. Sizemore batted .248 with 18 HR, 64 RBI, and 13 SB this season.

The season is also over for the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. They were both eliminated from their divisions. Well, they still have hope. The Orioles are 24.5 games out of the Wild Card. The Nationals are 28 games out, but the elimination number is down to one.

The Phillies magic number is down to 22.

Vote for the Pepsi "Clutch" Performer of the Month! Clifton Phifer Lee is a nominee.

Thought the Phillies Loss was Bad?

Thought last night's Phillies game was bad? The Red Sox blew a 10-1 lead. It was the biggest comeback in Orioles History. It was also a quite entertaining to watch the Mets lose to the Brewers.

Phillies Swept To End Homestand

As seen on Phillies Nation.

The Baltimore Orioles beat the Phillies 2-1 to complete the three game sweep.

Cole Hamels was outstanding. In eight innings, he allowed two earned runs on nine hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out ten. However, he was tacked with the loss as the Phillies could not provide run support.

Greg Dobbs put the Phillies on the board in the second inning with a solo shot, but that was all the Phillies managed to get off of Jeremy Guthrie. In seven innings, Guthrie limited the Phillies to only three hits including Dobbs’ home run.

The Orioles scored their only two runs on a bloop single by Adam Jones and an eighth inning RBI double off the bat of Brian Roberts.

In the bottom of the eighth, Charlie Manuel was ejected after arguing a call. Jimmy Rollins avoided a tag, however was called out. It proved to hurt the Phillies because Shane Victorino followed with a double that Rollins would have scored on. However, the Phillies had other opportunities to score throughout the entire game.

The Phillies finished their homestand a pathetic 1-8, finding a different way to lose each game. After an off-day Monday, the Phillies will look to redeem themselves on the road, where they are a Major League best 23-9.

Series Finale Preview

For the full gameday post, please visit Phillies Nation!

The Baltimore Orioles (31-37), will look to sweep the Philadelphia Phillies (36-30).

Jeremy Guthrie (4-7, 5.42 ERA) will start against Cole Hamels (4-2, 4.48 ERA) at 1:35 p.m at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies look to get back on track and avoid the sweep. They have the right guy on the mound to do that. Many times this season, Cole Hamels has had high pitch counts. He'll have to work ahead in the count, and keep the pitch count down to work late into the game.

Jermey Guthrie is coming off a tough outing against the New York Mets. He allowed five runs (3 earned) in 6.1 innings, including a three run first inning.

Shane Victorino is batting .429 with a home run in seven at bats against Guthrie. Brian Roberts, the hero for the Orioles last night, is 2-2 with a home run off Cole Hamels.

The Phillies are once again without Ryan Howard, who still has a high fever. Greg Dobbs will get the start.

Another Heartbreaker

As seen on Phillies Nation.

One strike. That's all the Phillies needed to win the game. But one swing was all Brian Roberts needed to give the Baltimore Orioles the lead.

J.A Happ pitched six solid innings. He allowed two earned runs on eleven hits and four walks, however he avoided further damage by escaping jams unharmed.

The Phillies offense struggled, having only one hit into the sixth inning. The Phillies rallied in the seventh, getting everybody off their seats.

In 2006, Ryan Howard was ill and forced to pinch hit against the Cincinnati Reds. In that game, he hit the tying home run and the eventual go-ahead run in extra innings. Three years later, Howard suffered a 104-degree fever. Pinch hitting in the seventh, he smoked a three run home run to give the Phillies a 5-3 lead and a good feeling for a win.

In the top of the ninth, Greg Zaun homered to put the Orioles within one. Ryan Madson got two outs and was ahead in the count 1-2 to second baseman Brian Roberts. Roberts smoked the 1-2 pitch into the right-centerfield seats. 6-5 Orioles, and that was how it stood. Yet another tough one to sink in.

Orioles/Phillies Preview

For the complete Gameday, please visit Phillies Nation!

Baltimore Orioles (30-37) at Philadelphia Phillies (36-29) at 7:05 at Citizens Bank Park.

The starters are Brad Bergesen (4-2, 3.79 ERA) and J.A Happ (4-0, 3.53 ERA).

Bergesen is coming off his first complete game of his career. Against the Atlanta Braves, Bergesen allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks.

Happ will try to rebound from two straight bad outings against the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. In his last two starts, he has an ERA of 7.36 and opponents are batting .302 against him in that stint. Happ will not only try to put his last two starts behind him, but also his struggles at home. Happ has a 5.24 ERA at Citizens Bank Park this season.

Three bench players will start for the Phillies tonight. Paul Bako will catch, Greg Dobbs will play first base for Ryan Howard (who reportedly suffered a 104-degree fever last night), and Matt Stairs will start in right.

Both pitchers are facing teams they have never faced before. The Phillies are going to have to be patient off Bergesen, and work the count against the 23 year old rookie.

Hopefully the rain will hold off and the Phillies will return to their winning ways.

Phils Lose Fourth in a Row

As seen on Phillies Nation.

The Phillies jumped out to a 2-0 lead, however that didn't prevent them from falling to the lowly Baltimore Orioles, 7-2, for their fourth consecutive loss.

In the first inning, Jayson Werth's two out, two run double put the Phillies on the board, but the lead did not last long.

Rookie sensation Matt Wieters responded with a double of his own, tying the game at two in the second inning. Orioles pitcher Rich Hill chipped in, helping his own cause with a run batted in to give the O's the lead.

The second inning was the only inning Antonio Bastardo had trouble with. He rebounded nicely. In the seven innings, he allowed four earned runs on five hits. He hit a batter (which started the rough second inning), however he did not walk anybody and he struck out five.

In the ninth inning, the Orioles blew the game wide open against Jack Taschner, who allowed three earned runs.

The story was the struggling offense that went just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left ten men on base.

Orioles Release Adam Eaton

Adam Eaton has been released for the second time in three months. The Baltimore Orioles released Eaton on Friday.

Eaton was 2-5 with an 8.56 ERA in eight games. In his last start on Thursday, he allowed 7 earned runs in 4.2 innings against the New York Yankees.

"Obviously, numbers don't lie, but I feel like I've got better stuff than an
8.00 ERA," Eaton said after Thursday's loss. "One thing you can count on is I'm
going to keep trying and keep working to get the numbers turned around and start
getting some wins for this team."

The Orioles will likely call up Matt Albers to be a long relief pitcher. It is unsure who will take Eaton's spot in the rotation.

QUOTE SOURCE: Baltimore Sun

Call of the day: Harry's last home run call came off the bat of Matt Stairs against the Colorado Rockies.

"Long Drive into deep right center field.. this ball is OUTTA HERE!
Matt Stairs with a two run pinch hit home run. And the Phillies have taken
a seven to five lead here in the ninth inning and battled all the way
back."

That's Our Adam

Adam Eaton made his last spring appearance on Thursday in vintage Adam Eaton form. Even if he didn't help his chances, Orioles manager Dave Trembly said it wouldn't be considered a tryout.

Adam Eaton faced the New York Mets, one of the few teams he had success against in the past, and allowed five runs on nine hits and two walks. He pitched five innings and threw 94 pitches. His teammates helped him out when the right fielder made an outstanding catch, leaping the wall and robbing Brian Schnieder of a two-run home run.

In 21 innings, he allowed 17 earned runs on 33 hits and eight walks. His spring ERA is now 7.29.

The Orioles haven't set their rotation so the number five starter is still up in the air. No one else has enough Major League experience as the other contenders are Brian Bass and Danys Baez. Another option could be to send Matt Albers to Triple-A. Either way, the Orioles lack pitching depth. When asked about if Eaton had a definite spot, Trembley replied:

“Let me go in and get a diet soda and … think about it. I’m not going to tell
you that right now.”

Unlike Trembly, Eaton remains confident.

"They haven't told me for sure, but all signs obviously point for making
the rotation," Eaton said. "I wish I would have made the decision a little bit
easier for them, but I know that if the decision is made that I'm on the staff,
they're going to be pleased with [it]."

QUOTE SOURCE: Baltimore Sun

Orioles Sign Eaton

The Baltimore Orioles signed Adam Eaton to a minor league contract. He was also invited to spring training.

If Eaton makes the team, it will only cost the Orioles $400,000 since he cleared waivers. The Phillies will pay the remaining $8.5 million on his contract, plus his $500,000 buyout for next season.

Eaton has a chance at making the team because the Orioles do not have much depth in their starting rotation.

Poor Orioles. My condolences.

Mets Sign Perez; Other Updates

The New York Mets have agreed to a deal with Oliver Perez, pending a physical. The deal is 3 years, worth $36 million.

Perez was 10-7 with a 4.22 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 180 SO, in 2008. Ollie's stats are like a roller coaster, up and down. Perez had an unbelievable year in 2004 with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he posted a 2.98 ERA. Since, he has had seasons where his ERA was above 5. In between, he has had a respectable ERA.

The problem for Perez is the walks. He has a career 1.42 WHIP and 4.76 BB/9. When Perez is able to limit the walks, he is usually effective and will strike batters out. However, when Perez is off, he's way off and very wild. Perez can be very inconsistent. You never know if you'll get the good Ollie, or bad Ollie.

It is also being reported that the Mets are not interested in Manny Ramirez, but the Los Angeles Dodgers have made an offer.

The Baltimore Orioles acquired Rich Hill from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a player to be named later.

In 2007, Hill had a break out season going 11-8 with a 3.92 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 183 SO. However, in 2008, he pitched just 19.2 innings with an ERA of 4.12. He was troubled with back spasms and sent down to AAA where he sported an ERA over 5.

The Oakland A's acquired Michael Weurtz from the Cubs in exchange for Minor Leaguers Richie Robnett and Justin Sellers. Weurtz was 1-1 with a 3.63 ERA in 45 games last season, also spending time in AAA.

Caribbean Series: Brad Knox pitched 6+ innings of no hit ball to lead Venezuela over the Dominican Republic, 3-2.

Ronnie Paulino (Dominican Republic) was 1-3 with a walk.

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.