BlueClaws Blog

We mentioned yesterday that we’d be talking to Todd Zolecki. Todd covers the Phillies for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and with the Winter Meetings upon us, it’s as good a time as ever to check in with the parent club, and on some former BlueClaws:

• The Winter Meetings may not mean any big moves for the Phililes but Zolecki could see the team picking up manager Charlie Manuel’s 2010 option, signing a utility infielder like Nick Punto, or even coming to an agreement with Jamie Moyer.
• Derek Lowe could be a backup plan if the Phillies can’t re-sign Moyer. “At first,” said Zolecki, “I thought it was about the length oif the deal with Moyer. But after the Phillies declined to offer arbitration, I think they just don’t want to offer as much money as he’s looking for.”
• Moyer made $5.5 million last year, when he went 16-7 with a 3.71 ERA. He could definately get a significant raise in arbitration, especially when you compare his numbers with pitchers of a higher salary, which is of course exactly what his agent would have done in arbitration.
• Some teams might cut payroll this year, but the Phillies won’t be one of them. “They’re not too concerned about drops in revenue or attendance coming off the World Series title.”
• Their payroll is on the way up, but the Phillies have to be careful, warned Zolecki. “Chase Utley and Brad Lidge are getting big raises in the near future,” he said. “Cole Hamels isn’t up until 2012 and Ryan Howard in 2011, but a more urgent matter is extending Ryan Madson and Jayson Werth, who are up after 2009.”
• On Pat Burrell: “They don’t want to pay him $14 million per year. An NL club might look at it as a risk to give him a three or four year deal. He might be back with the Phillies, but only if the price is right. I wouldn’t say it’s dead but it’s probably not likely.”

Now on some other Phillies issues relating more directly to some former BlueClaws:

• On the trade of Greg Golson, Zolecki noted “They didn’t really have a spot for Golson with Victorino here for the forseeable future, and they did have a need for a corner outfielder with some power. It was a need for need trade.”
• John Mayberry was the corner outfielder with power that the Phililes got in return. “If there’s an injury or two, he could come up and hit a home run, which is something they didn’t really have last year.” Mayberry might start the year in Triple-A, but he’s said to be close to the majors.
• On Jason Donald, Zolecki said “If Utley is out he does have a shot [to open the season as the Phililes 2b]. It’s either going to be Donald or Eric Bruntlett. They’re real high on Donald now.”
• Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, and Joe Blanton are set in the rotation for next year. Jamie Moyer or perhaps Derek Lowe will be the fourth starter, but there is an opening for the fifth starter, which could be filled by a few former BlueClaws.
• “I think it’s between Carlos Carrasco, JA Happ, Kyle Kendrick, and Andrew Carpenter,” said Zolecki. Carrasco pitched real well in Triple-A. He has a legitimate chance. They would prefer he gets a little more seasoning, but if he has a great spring training they might give him a shot. I’d say Kendrick and Happ have the inside track becasue of experience.
• We spoke to Lou Marson last week, and he told BlueClaws Blog his goal is to make the Phillies Opening Day roster in 2009. “Charlie Manuel always says ‘Make me make a decision on you,’” said Zolecki. That’s going to be Lou’s job this spring. He has a shot for sure.”

Overall, Zolecki says the Phillies farm system is really progressing from the last few years. “They’re starting to like it better. They’ve got more guys who can actually step in now. Jason Donald is now a legitimate option. Carrasco, or whoever doesn’t win the fifth starter’s job, is a legitimate option. If Lou Marson doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, he’ll be ready to come up.”