Here is your weekly general discussion for all those things not covered by other content here.  With the World Series nearing an end the Hot Stove is starting to heat up, so let the rumors fly.  Plenty of Phillies are in Winter League (I believe the Darin Ruf 2012 HR count is at 48 as of Sunday night); in the Arizona Fall League, Tommy Joseph and Cody Asche were named to the Rising Stars Game which is a cross between the Futures Game and a minor league All-Star game.

For those in the Northeast stay safe from the storm and post away while the lights stay on.

Phillies Moves:

Exercised 2013 Option on Carlos Ruiz ($5 million)

Declined 2013 Option on Ty Wigginton ($500k buyout)

Declined 2013 Option on Jose Contreras ($500k buyout)

Declined 2013 Option on Placido Polanco ($1mil buyout)

My two cents….the Phillies have made their 40 man roster stronger by outrighting both P David Herndon, as well as utility infielder Michael Martinez off the 40 man today. Herndon was subsequently picked up by Toronto.  With a number of difficult decisions upcoming over the next several weeks prior to the Rule 5 draft, this clears necessary space for some of the bigger prospect names to be added into the mix in the short term.

Here is your weekly discussion thread.  Fall league has begun in Arizona, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and in Mexico.  Rumors for the offseason have begun as well and talk about who is protected from the Rule 5 draft has begun.

For those of you who have access to BP’s pay content go to the site and read the full article at http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=18646#commentMessage as well as ask questions in the comments.

For those that don’t it is a large scouting report written by Hudson Belinsky who does a ton of scouting in the Northeast.  The premise of the article being that he often uses Lakewood as a venue to see the prospects in the SAL and can get caught up really watching a Phillies’ prospect, in 2011 it was Domingo Santana and in 2012 it was Maikel Franco.

Continue reading BP Prospect Profile on Maikel Franco →

Today BA released their IL Top 20, on a whole it was a weak list with Cloyd making the back end of it.

Cloyd’s year has been much discussed and was phenomenal.  After his promotion to the big leagues he showed valid many of the concerns that were put forth about him.  Cloyd’s fastball sits 86-89 and can rarely touch 90, however he commands it well.  He also has an average change up and cutter to use against left handed hitters.  His curveball also is an average pitch but it does not have the ability to be a put away pitch.  At most Cloyd is a back end #4 starter but likely profiles as a fringy #5 starter.  He can be effective if his command is there but because of his stuff he has to perfect in order to succeed.

Missing the list were a trio of potential high impact relivers in Jake Diekman, Phillipe Aumont, and Justin DeFratus in addition to some other interesting middle relief prospects such as Michael Schwimmer and BJ Rosenberg.

Your place to talk about anything this week.  Arizona Fall League is in full swing.  Baseball America organizational rankings are wrapping up with 9 Phillies’ prospects making lists.

The dog days of the off- season have begun where the news may consist of Jason Pridie electing free agency. So, with that said, Jason Pridie, OF, has elected free agency.