Phil’s tryout Gagne
The Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has downplayed the scheduled tryout that will take place today in Arizona for former MLB closer Eric Gagne. The Phil’s are on a list of about three teams scouting Gagne. Gagne had a couple spectacular seasons with the Dodgers and the Rangers.
In the middle of the 07 season Gagne was traded to Boston where he struggled. In 08 he pitched 102 very mediocre innings for the Brewers.
He did say that he would accept a non-guaranteed minor league contract. Signing Gagne could be a low-risk high reward if he could get back to form from the earlier part of the decade.
Eagles off season
Now that Eagles fans have had a chance to cool down from the back-to-back losses to division rival Dallas, it is time to take a logical look at the Eagles and what they need to do during the offseason.
First- The revolving door at linebacker will not work next season. With the return of Stewart Bradley inevitable, he will fill the hole in the middle of the defense. The question is who will play the other two linebacker positions. Will Witherspoon will definitely be a starter. So that fills one position. The other could be filled by either Akeem Jordan, Joe Mays who really came into his own down the stretch of this season, Omar Gaither, or fellow veteran Chris Gocong.
The Eagles are pretty high on Akeem Jordan. If he has a solid pre-season, he will most likely earn the starting spot opposite of Witherspoon.
Second- The biggest concern for the Birds during the draft needs to be safety. Obviously, the Eagles will attempt to go after Eric Berry out of Tennessee. The problem with that is Berry will most likely go in the top 10. So what can the Eagles get for trading Michael Vick? Probably not a top 10 pick (especially when his contract for next season is more than $5MM).
Third- The Eagles will most likely have to begin looking for a replacement for Jamaal Jackson. Jackson, who started 71 straight games for the Eagles before tearing a ligament in his knee on the last day of the season against the Cowboys, most likely will not be ready for the start of next season. The likelihood of the Birds drafting a center however is pretty slim. They will probably try to fill the void with someone in house.
After a pretty up and down season where Philadelphia went 0-5 against playoff teams and lost to the lowly Oakland Raiders, but still had the opportunity to clinch the number 2 seed in the playoffs giving them home field advantage and a first round bye (which they clearly didn’t want considering how poorly they played the last week of the season), there are many questions going into the 2010 season.
Will Brian Westbrook be back in Philadelphia? How will the young offense react to the lack of productivity to close out the 2009 season? Who will be the starting quarterback? Can/will this combo of Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid ever get it done? Can this explosive offense learn how to sustain a drive to keep the defense off the field? Will the Eagles ever learn how to stay committed to the running game?
While these answers are all unknown, it is pretty clear though that Andy Reid would like to stick with McNabb at least through this upcoming season. McNabb is an Eagle through 2011. Will he get his championship? Who knows?
Side Note
While the Allen Iverson experiment hasn’t panned out as well as the Sixers had hoped, it has clearly worked out for AI. Iverson could be a starter for this year’s All-Star team. Ray Allen however isn’t so happy about the outcome of the fan voting.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Catching Up
Well I took some time away from writing for the holidays, but now I am back and there is a lot to talk about.
Happy Halladays!
Since the last time I posted an entry, The Phillies acquired Roy Halladay from Toronto and for Michael Taylor and Kyle Drabek. In addition to that the Phil’s shipped Cliff Lee to Seattle for three prospects in return.
At first, this trade looked to be very bad for the Phillies. Cliff Lee was money in Philadelphia and the Phil’s gave up two of the best prospects in the farm system. After thinking about it however, this trade made sense for the Phil’s in a couple different ways.
First, the Phillies have the best pitcher in baseball for the next four years after signing Halladay to a three year extension.
Second, essentially the Phillies re-gained the three prospects they gave up for Cliff Lee in the first place and they were able to hold on to J.A. Happ and Dominick Brown.
Rumor Has It
Rumor has it that Tracy McGrady is on the trading block. It is also clear that Philadelphia has inquired on what it would take to acquire T-Mac.
The Sixers would like to get rid of the contracts due to Elton Brand and Samuel Dalembert. It is very unlikely however that Houston would go for that trade. In order for Philadelphia to drop those players they might have to get a third team involved. But it is highly unlikely that the Sixers will be able to dump off either of those players.
It has been noted that Houston would be interested in a trade containing Sixers wing man Andre Igoudala. That trade however would also have to include some young talent such as Thaddeus Young and Marreese Speights.
That trade would be counter-productive. The odds of T-Mac coming to Philly are very slim.
Third time's a charm
After blowing the Cowboys out on the last day of the regular season last year, the Eagles were blown out by Dallas on the last day of the regular season this year. Now the Eagles will have to turn around and play the Cowboys again in the first round of the playoffs.
The Eagles were terrible against the Cowboys last Sunday on all sides of the ball and now they will have to take on the Cowboys a third time this season on Saturday. It should definitely be interesting.
Happy Halladays!
Since the last time I posted an entry, The Phillies acquired Roy Halladay from Toronto and for Michael Taylor and Kyle Drabek. In addition to that the Phil’s shipped Cliff Lee to Seattle for three prospects in return.
At first, this trade looked to be very bad for the Phillies. Cliff Lee was money in Philadelphia and the Phil’s gave up two of the best prospects in the farm system. After thinking about it however, this trade made sense for the Phil’s in a couple different ways.
First, the Phillies have the best pitcher in baseball for the next four years after signing Halladay to a three year extension.
Second, essentially the Phillies re-gained the three prospects they gave up for Cliff Lee in the first place and they were able to hold on to J.A. Happ and Dominick Brown.
Rumor Has It
Rumor has it that Tracy McGrady is on the trading block. It is also clear that Philadelphia has inquired on what it would take to acquire T-Mac.
The Sixers would like to get rid of the contracts due to Elton Brand and Samuel Dalembert. It is very unlikely however that Houston would go for that trade. In order for Philadelphia to drop those players they might have to get a third team involved. But it is highly unlikely that the Sixers will be able to dump off either of those players.
It has been noted that Houston would be interested in a trade containing Sixers wing man Andre Igoudala. That trade however would also have to include some young talent such as Thaddeus Young and Marreese Speights.
That trade would be counter-productive. The odds of T-Mac coming to Philly are very slim.
Third time's a charm
After blowing the Cowboys out on the last day of the regular season last year, the Eagles were blown out by Dallas on the last day of the regular season this year. Now the Eagles will have to turn around and play the Cowboys again in the first round of the playoffs.
The Eagles were terrible against the Cowboys last Sunday on all sides of the ball and now they will have to take on the Cowboys a third time this season on Saturday. It should definitely be interesting.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Rumor has it
Rumors have it that Roy Halladay and his agent are staying in a hotel in Philadelphia. According to these rumors, Halladay is set to take a physical for the Phillies. They are also saying that the Phil’s are trying to deal Cliff Lee.
While the Phillies are actively pursuing Halladay, there are some parts of these reports that are bothersome.
First: Trading Lee to the Blue Jays for Halladay straight up is absolutely absurd. If they are looking to unload Halladay’s salary for future talent, then getting Lee will not help them considering he only has one season remaining on his current contract.
Second: Having a three team deal that includes dealing Lee makes no sense. Lee is a strikeout pitcher who the Phillies have for at least the 2010 season. While he reaches free agency next season, Ruben Amaro Jr. has been said to have been discussing an extension with Lee’s agent.
Third: Even if the Phil’s do somehow land Halladay, the price will be similar to what it was in July. The Blue Jays will want young talent that could include J.A. Happ, and possibly one of two of the Phil’s top prospects in outfielder Dominick Brown or pitcher Kyle Drabek.
Four: In order to give up that young talent, the Phil’s will have to guarantee a contract extension with Halladay before the trade is complete. With their current salary and their limited budget it wouldn’t be feasible without dealing a major player on the team. Halladay, at the age of 33, by the time next season begins will most likely command CC Sabbathia money (around $20 MM a year).
Other rumors have linked the Phillies to veteran pitcher John Smoltz. Smoltz has received offers from multiple teams according to mlb.com. The Phil’s would look to add the veteran for bull pen help.
In other Phillies news, the team has non-tendered reliever Clay Condrey. The Phil’s can still offer a contract to Condrey, but they were unable to agree on a salary number before the non-tender deadline.
They did however, offer contracts to the other three players who were arbitration eligible (Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, and Carlos Ruiz). Essentially all three of those players have been signed to one-year contracts for the 2010 season. In addition to those three, Chad Durbin was also offered a contract.
While the Phillies are actively pursuing Halladay, there are some parts of these reports that are bothersome.
First: Trading Lee to the Blue Jays for Halladay straight up is absolutely absurd. If they are looking to unload Halladay’s salary for future talent, then getting Lee will not help them considering he only has one season remaining on his current contract.
Second: Having a three team deal that includes dealing Lee makes no sense. Lee is a strikeout pitcher who the Phillies have for at least the 2010 season. While he reaches free agency next season, Ruben Amaro Jr. has been said to have been discussing an extension with Lee’s agent.
Third: Even if the Phil’s do somehow land Halladay, the price will be similar to what it was in July. The Blue Jays will want young talent that could include J.A. Happ, and possibly one of two of the Phil’s top prospects in outfielder Dominick Brown or pitcher Kyle Drabek.
Four: In order to give up that young talent, the Phil’s will have to guarantee a contract extension with Halladay before the trade is complete. With their current salary and their limited budget it wouldn’t be feasible without dealing a major player on the team. Halladay, at the age of 33, by the time next season begins will most likely command CC Sabbathia money (around $20 MM a year).
Other rumors have linked the Phillies to veteran pitcher John Smoltz. Smoltz has received offers from multiple teams according to mlb.com. The Phil’s would look to add the veteran for bull pen help.
In other Phillies news, the team has non-tendered reliever Clay Condrey. The Phil’s can still offer a contract to Condrey, but they were unable to agree on a salary number before the non-tender deadline.
They did however, offer contracts to the other three players who were arbitration eligible (Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, and Carlos Ruiz). Essentially all three of those players have been signed to one-year contracts for the 2010 season. In addition to those three, Chad Durbin was also offered a contract.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Around the City of Brotherly Love
Remember that word change? Well the Philadelphia Eagles are one team in the City of Brotherly Love who are not looking to change. Owner Jeffrey Lurie confirmed this morning that the Eagles have signed head coach Andy Reid to a three year contract extension.
Reid, the winningest coach in Philadelphia Eagles history will coach the Eagles through the 2013 season. This is the longest tenure of any Eagles coach as he came in to replace Ray Rhodes in 1999.
In his time in Philadelphia, Reid has taken the Birds to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl appearance. He has compiled a total of 115 wins.
-The Phillies on the other hand, have changed. Their bench, or lack thereof in the 2009 season has been revamped and no longer includes the likes of Eric Bruntlett and crowd favorite Matt Stairs.
The Phil’s signed Ross Gload yesterday afternoon. It is a two year deal according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. Gload led the league in pinch hits this past season for the Florida Marlins. His career .283 batting average should give skipper Charlie Manuel more options for the 2010 season.
Gload joins a bench consisting of Ben Francisco, Greg Dobbs, and two new additions in Brian Schneider and Juan Castro.
-The Flyers found a perfect way to get back on the right track last night as they stopped their five-game losing streak, score goals. Mike Richards was one goal short of the hat trick as the Flyers rolled over the Islanders. Jeff Carter and Claude Giroux also added two goals each to give the Flyers the 6-2 victory.
This was the first win for the Flyers under newly hired head coach Peter Laviolette. Laviolette began his stint in Philadelphia with back to back losses dropping one to the Capitals this past Saturday and then losing again two nights ago to Montreal.
Brian Boucher was back in goal for the Flyers to replace Ray Emery. Emery will be out at least six weeks as he will be getting surgery today to repair a torn abdominal muscle.
Here is just a little side note. Islanders defenseman Brendon Witt was in the lineup against the Flyers last night after being hit by a car crossing the street in Philadelphia yesterday morning. He is one tough guy.
Reid, the winningest coach in Philadelphia Eagles history will coach the Eagles through the 2013 season. This is the longest tenure of any Eagles coach as he came in to replace Ray Rhodes in 1999.
In his time in Philadelphia, Reid has taken the Birds to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl appearance. He has compiled a total of 115 wins.
-The Phillies on the other hand, have changed. Their bench, or lack thereof in the 2009 season has been revamped and no longer includes the likes of Eric Bruntlett and crowd favorite Matt Stairs.
The Phil’s signed Ross Gload yesterday afternoon. It is a two year deal according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. Gload led the league in pinch hits this past season for the Florida Marlins. His career .283 batting average should give skipper Charlie Manuel more options for the 2010 season.
Gload joins a bench consisting of Ben Francisco, Greg Dobbs, and two new additions in Brian Schneider and Juan Castro.
-The Flyers found a perfect way to get back on the right track last night as they stopped their five-game losing streak, score goals. Mike Richards was one goal short of the hat trick as the Flyers rolled over the Islanders. Jeff Carter and Claude Giroux also added two goals each to give the Flyers the 6-2 victory.
This was the first win for the Flyers under newly hired head coach Peter Laviolette. Laviolette began his stint in Philadelphia with back to back losses dropping one to the Capitals this past Saturday and then losing again two nights ago to Montreal.
Brian Boucher was back in goal for the Flyers to replace Ray Emery. Emery will be out at least six weeks as he will be getting surgery today to repair a torn abdominal muscle.
Here is just a little side note. Islanders defenseman Brendon Witt was in the lineup against the Flyers last night after being hit by a car crossing the street in Philadelphia yesterday morning. He is one tough guy.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Change is coming
Change. It is something that every professional sports franchise experiences. Whether it is change in the offseason or mid-season, it is something pro athletes and coaches have to deal with.
There have been some major changes in the city of Philadelphia in the past week. The first of which was the re-signing of former 76er all-star Allen Iverson. The second was the firing of Flyers head coach John Stevens.
Let’s take a look at Iverson first. As I previously wrote, Iverson got a second chance from the organization that drafted him out of Georgetown in 1996. A.I., also known as the Answer, held an emotional press conference late last week as he began to cry said he “felt at home in Philadelphia.”
Plenty of emotion also flowed at the beginning of last night’s game against the Denver Nuggets, one of the three teams Iverson played for since leaving Philadelphia in 2006. Prior to the game A.I. danced on the Sixers logo at mid-court and bowed to the packed house all wearing No. 3. Iverson dropped 11 points.
Unfortunately for the 76ers, the Answer wasn’t enough as the Sixers fell to the Nuggets. That is the tenth straight loss for Philadelphia. Andre Iguodala showed that this slumping Sixers team was still his as he dropped 31 in the losing effort.
Now that the Sixers have their star back and they finally got some fans to attend a game, let’s take a look at another slumping team. The Flyers as I mentioned above, fired head coach John Stevens this past Friday. They immediately hired a replacement in Peter Laviolette. Laviolette led the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup in 2006.
Under Stevens, the Flyers made it to the Conference Championship 2007 and 2008. Recently however, the Flyers had lost six of their last seven, two were shutouts. Since the replacement, many of the players took the blame for the firing. Danny Briere claimed that as a team needed to “play with more passion.”
That passion has yet to hit the Flyers as the team has dropped two in a row under their new head coach. In Laviolette debut the Flyers lost 8-2 to Washington and then again last night to Montreal with a final score of 3-1.
So far the changes that have been made over the past week have yet to have a positive outcome. Iverson says the Sixers will, “get it together.” What about the Flyers? One thing is sure for both teams, change is upon us. It is still pretty early in both seasons and there is a lot of improvement that needs to be done at Wachovia Center.
There have been some major changes in the city of Philadelphia in the past week. The first of which was the re-signing of former 76er all-star Allen Iverson. The second was the firing of Flyers head coach John Stevens.
Let’s take a look at Iverson first. As I previously wrote, Iverson got a second chance from the organization that drafted him out of Georgetown in 1996. A.I., also known as the Answer, held an emotional press conference late last week as he began to cry said he “felt at home in Philadelphia.”
Plenty of emotion also flowed at the beginning of last night’s game against the Denver Nuggets, one of the three teams Iverson played for since leaving Philadelphia in 2006. Prior to the game A.I. danced on the Sixers logo at mid-court and bowed to the packed house all wearing No. 3. Iverson dropped 11 points.
Unfortunately for the 76ers, the Answer wasn’t enough as the Sixers fell to the Nuggets. That is the tenth straight loss for Philadelphia. Andre Iguodala showed that this slumping Sixers team was still his as he dropped 31 in the losing effort.
Now that the Sixers have their star back and they finally got some fans to attend a game, let’s take a look at another slumping team. The Flyers as I mentioned above, fired head coach John Stevens this past Friday. They immediately hired a replacement in Peter Laviolette. Laviolette led the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup in 2006.
Under Stevens, the Flyers made it to the Conference Championship 2007 and 2008. Recently however, the Flyers had lost six of their last seven, two were shutouts. Since the replacement, many of the players took the blame for the firing. Danny Briere claimed that as a team needed to “play with more passion.”
That passion has yet to hit the Flyers as the team has dropped two in a row under their new head coach. In Laviolette debut the Flyers lost 8-2 to Washington and then again last night to Montreal with a final score of 3-1.
So far the changes that have been made over the past week have yet to have a positive outcome. Iverson says the Sixers will, “get it together.” What about the Flyers? One thing is sure for both teams, change is upon us. It is still pretty early in both seasons and there is a lot of improvement that needs to be done at Wachovia Center.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Week of Reunions
Just one day after Allen Iverson re-signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, it is apparent the Placido Polanco will once again be a Phillie. According to Jayson Stark, the only thing standing in the way of a 3 year $18MM contract (including a mutual option for 2013) is a physical.
Since Polanco was not offered arbitration by the Tigers, this signing will not cost the Phillies any draft picks for next season.
Polanco played for Philadelphia from 2002 to 2005. It is cited that the mutual familiarity was a driving force behind this deal. Since going to Detroit via trade, Polanco has accumulated two gold glove awards at 2nd base. It is obvious though that he will be moved back to third base in Philadelphia.
Polanco is more patient at the plate than his predecessor, Pedro Feliz who struck out more than walking throughout his tenure in Philadelphia. Polanco has never had more than 50 strikeouts in a single season throughout his career. Not to mention he is another right-handed bat in a lineup filled with lefties.
Where will he hit? Probably in the number two spot moving Shane Victorino down in the lineup. This might change. Victorino has proven that he can thrive in the top of the lineup and it might suit the Phillies to bat Polanco in the 6th or 7th spot.
Since Polanco was not offered arbitration by the Tigers, this signing will not cost the Phillies any draft picks for next season.
Polanco played for Philadelphia from 2002 to 2005. It is cited that the mutual familiarity was a driving force behind this deal. Since going to Detroit via trade, Polanco has accumulated two gold glove awards at 2nd base. It is obvious though that he will be moved back to third base in Philadelphia.
Polanco is more patient at the plate than his predecessor, Pedro Feliz who struck out more than walking throughout his tenure in Philadelphia. Polanco has never had more than 50 strikeouts in a single season throughout his career. Not to mention he is another right-handed bat in a lineup filled with lefties.
Where will he hit? Probably in the number two spot moving Shane Victorino down in the lineup. This might change. Victorino has proven that he can thrive in the top of the lineup and it might suit the Phillies to bat Polanco in the 6th or 7th spot.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Quick Hits
-Allen Iverson has accepted a one year non-guaranteed contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Iverson, who departed under questionable circumstances, will be making the veterans minimum at $1.3 million. He was signed to replace the injured Lou Williams who could be out for up to eight weeks.
-Pending a physical, Billy Wagner is back in the National League East. After being offered arbitration by the Boston Red Sox, Wagner’s contract is reported to be $7 million in 2010 and will include a $6.5 million vesting option for 2011. Last season he posted a 1.72 ERA while striking out 26 in just 15 2/3 innings for the Mets and the Red Sox.
-The Phillies signed former New York Met, Brian Schneider to be their back-up catcher for next season. The two year deal will be $1.25 million in 2010 and $1.5 million in 2011. Schneider hit .218 in 174 plate appearances last season. In addition to this, the Phil’s did not offer arbitration to Scott Eyre or Chan Ho Park. Ruben Amaro Jr., the Phillies General Manager, said that he has not ruled out the possibility of bringing either player back next season.
-DeSean Jackson will most likely not be ready to play next Sunday as the Eagles take on the Matt Ryan-less Atlanta Falcons. It has come to light (after Jackson addressed the press) that Jackson lost consciousness after being hit by Washington’s London Fletcher.
-Pending a physical, Billy Wagner is back in the National League East. After being offered arbitration by the Boston Red Sox, Wagner’s contract is reported to be $7 million in 2010 and will include a $6.5 million vesting option for 2011. Last season he posted a 1.72 ERA while striking out 26 in just 15 2/3 innings for the Mets and the Red Sox.
-The Phillies signed former New York Met, Brian Schneider to be their back-up catcher for next season. The two year deal will be $1.25 million in 2010 and $1.5 million in 2011. Schneider hit .218 in 174 plate appearances last season. In addition to this, the Phil’s did not offer arbitration to Scott Eyre or Chan Ho Park. Ruben Amaro Jr., the Phillies General Manager, said that he has not ruled out the possibility of bringing either player back next season.
-DeSean Jackson will most likely not be ready to play next Sunday as the Eagles take on the Matt Ryan-less Atlanta Falcons. It has come to light (after Jackson addressed the press) that Jackson lost consciousness after being hit by Washington’s London Fletcher.
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