Category Archives: Other Stuff

The Bullpen

Aumont, Phillippe, Bastardo, Antonio, De Fratus, Justin, Diekman, Jacob, Other Stuff, Savery, Joe

A bit of clarity was added over the weekend with addition of set up man Mike Adams into the mix as the key 8th inning bridge to Papelbon.  Beyond Adams and Papelbon, the bullpen is filled with questions marks.  It seems the only relievers assured of Phillies roster spots are Papelbon, Adams, and Antonio Bastardo, who was less than solid last year.  After that, questions abound.

From the left side, Jeremy Horst is a front runner to land in back of Bastardo.  Horst was impressive during his second half call up to the Phils, throwing in 32 games and going 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Horst struck out 40 in 31.1 innings of work.

The health of Mike Stutes is the first question mark from the right side.  Recovering from significant surgery, Stutes may need some time in AAA before he reaches the level at which he pitched during the 2011 season for the Phils.  The rest of the pack consists of Justin DeFratus, Phillippe Aumont, Michael Schwimer, BJ Rosenberg, Raul Valdes, and Jacob Diekman. Continue reading The Bullpen →

General Discussion – Week of December 17 – “The Future Is Now” Edition

Other Stuff

Remember in 1994, Upper Deck came up with a “The Future is Now Twenty-X Years Old” collection.  It was like Mike Piazza Future is Now 24 Years Old or Ken Griffey Jr. Future is Now 23 Years Old or whatever.  And it was just extra filler cards of nice young MLBers that you waded through in the hopes of getting a Michael Jordan?  This is kind of like that, except The Future Is Now us talking about stuff we would have talked about anyway and the title of the post is December 17, which is in THE FUTURE!!!  And what you’re really hoping for is the BA Org Top Ten on Monday and a reasonable contract for Nick Swisher.

Enjoy!

Phils Sign Zach Miner

Other Stuff

2013’s version of Scott Elarton is….Zach Miner.  The Phillies signed Miner today to a minor league contract where he is expected to land in the Lehigh Valley after two likely IronPigs candidates Trevor May and Lisalverto Bonilla were traded away over the last week.

Miner, 30, was originally a 4th round draft pick of the Braves and last pitched in the majors during the 2009 season when he went 7-5 with a 4.29 ERA in 51 games for the Tigers.  Miner threw in 23 games for Toledo, the Tigers AAA affiliate last season going 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA in 36 innings of work.

Miner, a big righty, underwent Tommy John surgery during the 2010 season and has struggled to regain his pre-injury form.

General Discussion – Week of December 3 “Why Are They Called The Winter Meetings When It’s Still Fall” Edition

Other Stuff

Here is your weekly general discussion.  I think Matt has a Rule 5 preview coming up, also, but here’s a fresh thread for the Winter Meetings conversation and beyond.

General Discussion – Week of November 26. “That Week Between Thanksgiving and Winter Meetings” Edition

Other Stuff

Hey, guess what, Ryan Madson didn’t come back to the Phillies.  If you are surprised he didn’t come back to the team that dangled a nice big contract in front of his face and then pulled it away like so many cartoon footballs and left him stuck with a 1 year deal in Ohio’s Armpit, then you’re a more forgiving human being than I, I suppose.

BTW – Not sure anyone calls Cincinnati “Ohio’s Armpit”, but I just did now, so there.  No offense intended, Cincy…just yackin’.

40-Man Roster Additions

Other Stuff, Rule 5 Draft, Transactions

According to Phils Media Relations, the team has added OF Zach Collier and RHPs Ethan Martin, Trevor May, and Jon Pettibone to the 40-man roster.  This protects them from the Rule 5 draft in December.  Mild surprise that neither Jiwan James nor Leandro Castro were protected, leaving both exposed to the Rule 5 draft, (among other, seemingly less enticing players).  Phillies leave 2 spots open for free agents or a Rule 5 pickup of their own.

AFL Finale Today

Other Stuff

Heads up to anyone interested – the AFL finale is on MLBN this afternoon at 3EST.  Peoria made the final and Phils guys will participate.  I asked Tommy Joseph if he was catching and he said no, but I will guess Cody Asche will be at 3b and Zach Collier will also play, as he’s been on fire. 

I’ll follow up with results and a season wrap-up after the game, or tomorrow some time.  Enjoy!

General Discussion – Week of November 12. The “Stove Be Gettin’ Hot” Edition

Other Stuff

Here is your weekly general discussion.  I propose the discussion be centered around free agency and trades, with a smatterring of post-season awards.  I am going to go out on a limb and say no one will be advocating any Phillies for MVP.  But “where to vote Cliff Lee for Cy Young” might be a fun argument.  Have at it!

Free Agents Hit the Market

Other Stuff

Several Phillies minor leaguers are now open for the “bidding”, as they have been declared free agents.  The list goes like this: Pitchers: Scott Elarton, Matt Wright, Pat Misch, Drew Naylor, Tom Cochran, David Purcey, INF Jake Fox, C John Suomi, 2B Harold Garcia, INF Tug Hulett, SS Miguel Abreu, OF Kyle Hoppy, Kyle Hudson, D’Arby Myers, Brandon Tripp, Mike SPidale, INF Jake Opitz.

The top three names I would most like to see back: Cochran, Garcia, Myers.