Next Signing

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is….Oscar Villareal. The 29 year old right handed reliver is best known for the several years he spent in the Arizona organization, including years of moderate to good production in the mid to late innings for the Diamondbacks.  He is coming off of Tommy John surgery, but is a nice “depth” signing to add into the bullpen mix.  He last pitched in the majors in 2008 for the Astros, going 1-3 with a 5.02 ERA in 35 appearances, and spent last season recovering from his surgery.  Villareal has thrown over 75 innings in relief three separate seasons, with his ERA below 4.25 in each of those years.

5 thoughts on “Next Signing”

  1. I like it better than Contreras. If he makes the roster it will be on merit not because everyone knows his catchy name. I can’t get excited about a guy who is 29-49 over the last 3 years.
    Jose will pitch no matter how bad he does it. Basically midmoney FAs are anchors.
    QUESTION?? will the homegrown prospects even get a look?

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  2. Good question. I think Villareal might start at AAA or even CLW (warm weather) to ensure he is sound–unless he is lights out and can pitch 2 days in a row in ST (not likely for a recovering TJ).

    Whether it is out of the cute or later in the season, I think at least one of Bastardo and Mathieson, if healthy, will figure big in the team’s success this year. They are young and talented, with upside for THIS year (possible alternate setup guys or situational strikeout guys, not just middle relievers).

    As we all know, the injuries will be a regular occurence, and all will get their chance, including Villareal–if healthy (common phrase this year).

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  3. Villarreal signing is good. Purdom signing is another head scratcher. Signing a guy, even a catcher, who hits .200 in indepdent league ball? Yeah, I get it, he’s body, but, come on already.

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  4. Nowheels, Contreras is 23-36 over the last three years, I don’t know where you got 49 losses from. Contreras really found his niche last year in the bullpen. I saw him pitch personally last year, he can still throw hard and I think he’s an asset to the Phillies. Besides, this is a guy who accepted a demotion to AAA when his performance failed. You have to respect a pitcher who takes accountability.

    Right now the big league bullpen consists of Baez, Madson, Romero, Durbin, Contreras. (Lidge I suspect will start the season on the DL.) One open spot in the bullpen will go to a lefty, probably Bastardo but Escalona and even Zagurski are in that mix. There’s another spot open if Lidge is hurt. Teams that use just seven relievers over the course of a season are practically non-existent. You are always going to need the extra arms.

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  5. John Purdom signing, which I don’t see above:
    Purdom started off 2009 in the Marlins organization at AAA, and did not hit much, then he went to Camden RiverSharks. He has experience at AAA and all, so I believe he will compete at AA and AAA level. I figure it is Gosewisch and Hoover at AAA , and Naughton and Nelson at AA. So maybe they slide this guy to A(A). They seem to have some room there, as I figure the recent draftees Kyle LaFrenz and David Doss for there, or maybe the younger Francisco Diaz. They could have some openings at A(A) for some positions, so maybe a few more minor league signings from the low end of the pile.

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