I thought this was an interesting little nugget included in Bob Elliot’s (Toronto Sun) column.

The Phillies have discussed possible ways on how to re-acquire catcher Travis D’Araund from the Jays. Good luck.

D’Arnaud is arguably the best prospect we’ve traded in the last 3 seasons. He appears to have star potential behind the plate if he can remain healthy. He was excellent in AA and is close to big league ready. The Jays have another good young catcher already in the majors in JP Arencibia, so they would be dealing from a position of strength, and they’d obviously ask for a ton in return. I’m sure nothing would happen on this, but its fun to ponder during the long cold winter.

Just a short note that the Phillies have announced that the entire Lehigh Valley coaching staff will return next year. This includes Manager Ryne Sandberg, Pitching Coach Rod Nichols and Hitting Coach, Sal Rende.

Former Lehigh Valley All Star first baseman Andy Tracy will begin his mangerial career this season taking over the reigns of the Short Season Williamsport Crosscutters.

Today Baseball America published the list of minor league free agents. The article did a pretty good job of explaining exactly what a 6 year free agent is, so check it out here. Here are the free agents from the Phillies organization:

Philadelphia Phillies (31)
RHP: Brian Bass (AAA), Eddie Bonine (AAA), Nate Bump (AAA), Dave Bush (AAA), Joe Esposito (AA)
LHP: Ryan Edell (AAA), Ryan Feierabend (AAA), Derrick Loop (AA), Tommy Palica (Hi A), Juan Perez (AAA), Les Walrond (AA)
C: Tim Kennelly (AA), Torre Langley (Hi A), Jeff Lanning (Lo A)
1B: Tagg Bozied (AAA), Jeff Larish (AAA)
2B: Josh Barfield (AAA), Ozzie Chavez (AA), Paco Figueroa (AA), Kevin Frandsen (AAA), Fidel Hernandez (AA), Steve Singleton (AA)
OF: Brent Clevlen (AA), Terry Evans (AA), Chris Frey (AA), Cyle Hankerd (Hi A), Chris Lubanski (AA), Scott Podsednik (AAA), Mike Spidale (AA), Rich Thompson (AAA), Delwyn Young (AAA)

I expected to see Brandon Moss, Derrick Mitchell, John Suomi, and Tuffy Gosewich listed so I’m assuming they have resigned with the Phillies which means they never hit the free agent market but that’s just speculation on my part.

Additionally, Dane Sardinha was previously announced as a free agent and the Phillies have reportedly re-signed 40-man roster cast-offs Pete Orr and Drew Naylor to minor league deals.

Anyone on the list who you think needs to be back next year?

I wanted to throw this one out there. The rules under the CBA state that college players must be protected after 4 seasons (anyone age 19 and older when drafted) and high school kids 5 years after they are drafted. By my quick estimation, that would mean all high school kids taken in the 2007 draft have to be protected, and all college kids from the 2008 draft have to go on the 40 man roster. Which guys fall under those classifications?

Tyson Gillies (25th round, 2006)
Travis Mattair (2nd round, 2007)
Phillippe Aumont (1st round, 2007)
Jiwan James (22nd round, 2007)
Sebastian Valle (FA, 2007)
Colby Shreve (6th round, 2008)
Cody Overbeck (9th round, 2008)
BJ Rosenberg (13th round, 2008)
Tyler Cloyd (18th round, 2008)

Did I miss anyone?

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a bunch of these guys are currently working it in the Arizona Fall League. The league is a double edged sword, allowing the parent club to get one last look to determine if the prospect deserves a 40 man spot, but it also gives high profile looks to other teams who may want to snatch a guy up in the Rule 5 draft come December.

The last of the Around the System reports….

Lakewood

Tyler Knigge, 22, Phils 12th round pick in 2010; 43 games; 4-3 with a 3.32 ERA; 4 saves; 65IP58H 24BB 54K; 0.97 GO/AO; .243 opp. avg., .237 vs. LH, .246 vs. RH, .290 with RISP; 1.26 WHIP; 3.3BB/7.4K. Knigge had a pretty good year, although was inconsistent at times.  2012: Clearwater

Jay Johnson, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 40 games; 1-5 with a 2.94 ERA; 5 saves; 49IP 41H 35BB 49K; 0HR allowed; 1.94 GO/AO; .228 opp. avg., .208 vs. LH, .236 vs. RH, .213 with RISP; 1.55 WHIP; 6.5BB/9.0K; Johnson pitched well and didn’t give up a homer in his 49 innings, a nice trait for a late inning guy.  Still, his walk rate is huge and will need work in Clearwater next season. Continue reading Around the System–Bullpen, Lower Half →

A look at the bullpen in the upper parts of the Phils system. The final “Around the System” which looks at the bullpen in the lower levels of the system should be out Friday.

Phillies Bullpen 2012: Brad Lidge has a $12.5 million club option that the Phils will decline; could possibly be back for less; Ryan Madson is a free agent and will get closers money; Jose Contreras is signed next season with a club option for 2013; Kyle Kendrick is ARB eligible again and will more than likely see a raise from his $2.45M in 2011 into the $4-5 million range; David Herndon, Antonio Bastardo and Mike STutes are all under contract for next season.

Lehigh Valley

Michael Schwimer, 25, Phils 14th round pick in 2008 draft; 47 games; 9-1 with a 1.85 ERA; 10 saves; 68IP 51H 22BB 86K; 4 HR allowed; 0.75 GO/AO; .203 opp avg; 1.07 WHIP; 2.9BB/11.4K; .307 vs. LH, .133 vs. RISP, .167 with RISP.  Schwimer received plenty of honors at the AAA level in 2011, including being named the Lehigh Valley pitcher of the year and to Baseball America’s AAA All Star Team.  He was exceptional for the ‘Pigs.  His splits however are drastic and to have success in the bigs, he is gonna have to find a way to get lefties out. He has the intelligence and work ethic to figure it out.  2012: Battling with DeFratus and others for the last few bullpen spots in Philly.  There should be at least one, possibly two openings. Continue reading Around the System–Bullpen, Top Half →

Just a quick note that LHP Mike Zagurski has been traded to Arizona for a player to be named later. After this season, Zagurski is out of options and eligible to become a free agent. Zagurski was very effective in Lehigh Valley, but struggled in his time with the big club.

We look at the Starting Pitchers in the Bottom Half of the organization….Next up are relievers in the top half (LV, REA, CLW).

Lakewood

Ervis Manzanillo, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2009; 26 games, 8-7 with a 5.02 ERA; 118.1IP 114H 71BB 105K; 5 HR allowed; 1.56 WHIP; 5.4BB/8.0K; 1.27 GO/AO; .257 opp. avg., .200 vs. LH, .277 vs. RH, .281 with RISP; 4-3 with a 5.30 ERA in 2nd half.  At times very good, and at times very bad for Manzanillo.  No reason to rush him, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back in Lakewood at the start of 2012

Jesse Biddle, 19, Phils 1st round pick in 2010; 25 games; 7-8 with a 2.98 ERA; 133IP 104H 66BB 124K, 5 HR allowed; 1.27 WHIP; 4.4BB/8.3K; .211 vs. LH, .221 vs. RH, 226 with RISP; 4-2 with a 1.91 ERA in 12 Post All Star starts.  A very good year for Biddle who dominated post all star break and walked far fewer during that same time period.  2012: Clearwater rotation. Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitching, Bottom Half →

A look at how Starting Pitchers fared at the top levels of the organization.  The Bottom Half rotation review will come out at the end of the week.

Lehigh Valley

Dave Bush, 31, Signed as a free agent during 2011 season; 4 starts; 1-2 with a 3.91 ERA; 23IP 20H 6BB 16K; 1.13 WHIP; .233 opp. avg., .242 vs. LH, .226 vs. RH, .188 with RISP. Bush had just a cup of coffee in Allentown but pitched effectively while he was here.  The Phils could do alot worse than Bush as their sixth or seventh starter in the organization.

Brian Bass, 29, Signed as a free agent prior to 2011 season;28 starts; 8-10 with a 3.81 ERA; 158.1 IP 170H 56BB 105K; 13HR allowed; .278 opp. avg., 1.43 WHIP; .290 vs. LH, .269 vs. RH, .266 with RISP; 3.1BB/6.0K; 4-4 with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP Post All Star game.  Bass became the most dependable starter for Lehigh Valley in the seasons final two months.  He eats innings and pitched well in crunch time.  I suspect Bass may look for an opportunity in a organizartion with a bit less depth at starting pitcher for next season. Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitchers, Top Half →

Looking at the glass half full, Lehigh Valley had a fantastic season, a season in which they completely turned around a team that had been perennially a last place team in their first three years in existence. Now the glass half empty part. Lehigh Valley may have played their worst two games of the season in the seasons final two games, which just so happened to be in the International League CHampionship series, a series they lost 3-1 with their 4-1 loss on Friday evening at Coca Cola Park. Continue reading ‘Pigs Hog Tied; Callups →