As over a foot of snow fell on Philadelphia, Phillies pitchers reported Thursday morning to their first day of big-league camp. And already, we have a cut.
Veteran right-hander Chad Gaudin, signed to a minor-league deal, was released Thursday after failing a physical, according to CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury.
Gaudin, 30, was expected to play a multitude of roles for the Phillies: spot starter, long-relief man, middle relief. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. expressed some disappointment over the way this played out, and told reporters that Gaudin's replacement could come from an in-house group including Ethan Martin and B.J. Rosenberg.
With Gaudin off the roster, a bullpen spot opens. Assuming Cole Hamels and Mike Adams open the season on the 15-day DL and Roberto Hernandez and Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez begin in the rotation, the Phils' pen has only three apparent locks in Jonathan Papelbon, Antonio Bastardo and Jake Diekman.
Rule 5 pick Kevin Munson figures to make the roster, leaving three spots for Martin, Rosenberg, Brad Lincoln, Justin De Fratus, Jonathan Pettibone, Joe Savery, Phillippe Aumont, Ken Giles, Jeremy Horst, Shawn Camp, Sean O'Sullivan, Jeff Manship, Cesar Jimenez and Michael Stutes.
MG: if the team had been whittled down to counting on Gaudin to start for them every fifth day, they would have been doomed anyway.
Do you agree with that statement?
Posted by: Iceman | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:16 PM
MAG is back in the rotation. Dammit, I wanted to see him at Lehigh Valley.
Posted by: Meyer | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:16 PM
Repost:
Maybe I've been on Beerleaguer too long, but it definitely feels fishy to me (the Hamels situation).
I see a couple scenarios...
-Hamels comes back in late April but it's clear something's off. He doesn't get out right shelled, like Halladay, but 3-4 ER/g, not getting out of the 6th inning. This continues for a few weeks, culminating in him being shut down just before the All Star Break and season ending surgery.
-Late April turns into early June turns into by the All Star Break. Then he has a setback in rehab and gets shut down. Doesn't throw a pitch in 2014.
-Hamels has Crohn's Disease.
Posted by: Cyclic | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:17 PM
Hamels
Lee
Burnett
KK
Fausto
MAG
Martin
Pettibone
All of them I would consider to be better, or at least no worse, than Chad Gaudin (and I say that without having seen MAG throw a pitch).
I don't consider losing Gaudin 'a real blow' to the depth of the rotation. They could sign a guy off the street in May and probably get the same amount of 'production.'
I'd have liked to see them sign a guy like Maholm for cheap 'depth' because he actually has the potential to be good. Gaudin was inconsequential to the team's success, especially after the Burnett signing.
Posted by: Iceman | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:22 PM
clout is going to be all over corey for penciling Munson into the bullpen. Based on RAJ's fondness for Rule 5 guys, I'd say Munson certainly has a good chance of making the roster if he pitches even passably well in spring training. But "figures to make the roster" is a bit of an overstatement. He has been pretty terrible throughout his minor league career.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:24 PM
As soon as comments turn to anti-trust talk and the Phillies secret ownership of the Braves, Comcast demands they release a scrub so there's an excuse for a new thread.
CONSPIRACY ALERT!
Posted by: gobaystars! | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:25 PM
Iceman - Your being ridiculous here and no one has said that.
This team has little/no starting depth right now even after signing Burnett. It is a large reason why both MAG and Martin are coming into camp as starters.
Phils weren't counting on Gaudin to start everyday but they did indicate that he was a strong bet to make the Opening Day roster (Amaro said that last week).
Posted by: MG | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:27 PM
So a majority of the comments at TGP are now Beerleaguer posters?
I guess they aren't as confrontational as a few days ago but it still pisses me off a bit.
Posted by: Some Dude | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:29 PM
I'm not sorry to see Chad Gaudin go, but he has a 4.56 ERA in 87 career starts. I don't know how anyone can say that Ethan Martin, Fausto Carmona, or a completely unknown MAG are "no worse" than Gaudin.
Considering that MAG may or may not be able to start, & Martin belongs exclusively in the bullpen, the Phillies really only have 6 viable starters right now (if Fausto Carmona is indeed viable). And Pettibone has injury concerns. So I do agree with MG that they need another cheap pitcher who is capable of starting without completely disgracing himself. Manship certainly isn't it.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:34 PM
Hey Amaro, I still available!
Posted by: Randy Wolf | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:35 PM
Me too dude! Reach me directly at 904-555-2452 anytime. I'm just chilling watch a lot of TV including the old seasons of Duck Dynasty, Swamp People, and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo waiting for a spring training invite!
Posted by: Brett Myers | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:40 PM
Other than Ervin Santana, just about any SP who is still on the FA market can probably be had on a minor league deal. A guy like Jeff Niemann, Joe Saunders or Clayton Richard would be a good guy to stash at AAA.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:41 PM
I might need a little time to get in shape though. My offseason diet of Taco Bell, Chinese takeout, Lucky Charms, and deep-fried everything (Fry-0-Later rules!) has packed on a couple of pounds this offseason.
Posted by: Brett Myers | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:50 PM
F Gaudin...He was already behind at least 6 other SPs on the depth chart, and he's a scumbag.
Not gonna stress over losing the equivalent of a Durbin
Posted by: Chris in VT | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:52 PM
"I don't know how anyone can say that Ethan Martin, Fausto Carmona, or a completely unknown MAG are "no worse" than Gaudin."
That's interesting. So you're basically saying Gaudin should've been penciled in as the fifth starter?
Posted by: Iceman | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 03:05 PM
Gaudin was a POS and way, way down on the depth chart. Losing him is not a blow at all.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 03:06 PM
MG- I'm confused. Are you really claiming that you didn't say the team took 'a hit' by losing Gaudin? Because you said it no more than a few hours ago.
I'm saying he had no bearing on the success or failure of this team and his signing (and departure) is inconsequential. You obviously disagree. That's fine. I just don't think he needs to be replaced. I was in favor of signing a guy that doesn't suck even before Gaudin got the boot, so I guess we agree there.
Posted by: Iceman | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 03:12 PM
I think Corey has it backwards.
I think Lincoln is the lock because he's out of options. Also, they did give up Kratz and Rasmussen for him so they won't bail on him very easily.
If Diekman proves last season's finish wasn't a fluke, then he'll be OK. If he can't command his pitches he'll be back in Lehigh.
Locks
Papelbon
Bastardo
Lincoln
Free for all between everyone else, including some of th enon-roster invitees like Mario Hollands and Ken Giles.
Also, some of the younger arms may surprise.
Posted by: awh™, Founder, Hire Jamie Moyer Club | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 03:14 PM
I don't think there's any chance Lincoln doesn't at least break camp with the big club.
Posted by: Chris in VT | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 03:16 PM
"That's interesting. So you're basically saying Gaudin should've been penciled in as the fifth starter?"
No, I'm not saying that. He's a total POS and I'm glad he's gone. I'm merely taking issue with your over-the-top claim that, as a starting pitcher, Ethan Martin is no worse. He's WAY worse. MAG? We have no basis for saying one way or the other. Fausto Carmona? Career ERA says he's worse too. I wasn't the one who decided that Fausto Carmona should be the 5th starter.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 03:35 PM
Grantland ranks baseball's 15 worst contracts:
http://grantland.com/features/mlb-worst-contracts-alex-rodriguez-albert-pujols/
The Phillies have one "honorable mention" and one on the list of 15,
Before you look, guess who?
Posted by: awh™, Founder, Hire Jamie Moyer Club | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 03:40 PM
Wouldn't it be awesome if that aumont could actually get it together?
Posted by: Mikeh | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 03:42 PM
Iceman - Yeah they did even if it is marginal.
Gaudin may be mediocre as a career starter at the MLB level but that is better than what the Phils got out of a host of guys they started last year including Lannan, Cloyd, Miner, and even Halladay.
Posted by: MG | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 03:49 PM
Gotta be Paps and Howard on that list
Posted by: Steve | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 03:52 PM
Chris Capuano is still out there. Throw him a quick deal. Solves Gaudin's release just like that.
Posted by: Scotch Man | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 03:52 PM
Yessiree, it will be on the broad shoulders of Aumont and Howard that the 2014 Phillies regain the glory.
Posted by: Meyer | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 03:53 PM
I hear Gaudin didn't even make it through the physical -- kept trying to grope the nurse.
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 04:31 PM
Apparently the Phillies were bidding on Luis Ayala before he signed a minor league deal with the Nationals.
Bullpen help seems to still be on the docket.
Posted by: Cyclic | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 04:39 PM
Did a call go out to Mad Dog and Santana
Posted by: bob | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 04:42 PM
Ayala is 36 so it's no wonder RAJ likes him. Does he ever target anyone under 32?
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 04:54 PM
BAP- If Gaudin shouldn't have been the fifth starter, but Fausto, Martin and MAG are all allegedly worse than he would have been, who is this other mystery fifth starter in the organization that you think should be penciled in there instead of Gaudin? Pettibone?
Posted by: Iceman | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 04:54 PM
Just about every article or blog you read about the Phillies all say the same thing - that much is expected from RH if they're going to have any chance to contend. Rather than offer my opinion on Howard (because I know everyone already has a strong one and I'm not going to change any minds with what I have to say), I'll approach this post a different way, Why would RAJ, the architect, the Golden Boy who could do no wrong, pin so much of the team's hope on a 34 year-old 1B who's coming off 2 injury plagued seasons where his numbers obviously suffered? Does a healthy Howard and the addition of Marlon Byrd mean that much?
Scoring runs was the bane of the Phils existence last year, so let's put all the pressure on Howard (and Byrd) to change the narrative? Yea I know everyone else is going to stay healthy too and guys like Utley, Chooch, Brown and Rollins are going to be 4 WIN Players or thereabouts. The Revere's and Asche's of the world will be solid 2 WIN Players until they learn to harness their natural, God-given talent.
Posted by: Kashmir | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 05:06 PM
Iceman: I have a 4-part answer.
Part 1: I refuse to concede that the choices should be limited to Gaudin and the guys presently in the organization.
Part 2: If I must make that concession then, yes, Pettibone. Absolutely.
Part 3: If you won't let me pick Pettibone, and I absolutely have to pick between Fausto Carmona & Chad Gaudin, I would pick Fausto Carmona. But that choice reflects my personal preference for upside over known mediocrity. In point of fact, their career numbers say that Gaudin has been a better, and certainly more consistent, starting pitcher.
Part 4: I think I've been clear: I don't even want Chad Gaudin on the team, let alone starting. This is a semantical debate, not a baseball debate. You made the claim that Martin, Carmona, & MAG would be "no worse" than Gaudin in a starting role. Surely that statement is false as to Ethan Martin & unknowable as to MAG. Carmona is a debatable case.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 05:10 PM
Remember when the same medical staff evaluated the Astro's Lopez and failed him, right before he went on to pitch 75 innings that year?
Posted by: STS | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 05:19 PM
Anyway, my only real objection to the Chad Gaudin signing was that I don't think we should be signing guys who sexually assault women lying on emergency room gurneys. As far as his pitching goes, I thought the signing (on a minor league deal) was unexciting but unobjectionable. He's perfectly fine as minor league insurance or as the swingman out of your bullpen. So, to the extent that you're trying to make a Beerleaguer hypocrisy argument, I think I'm excluded. I think MG is excluded too, as he wasn't one of the ones opposing the signing. Come to think of it, I think pretty much everyone is excluded. The people who opposed the signing are not the same people who are happy about his being released.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 05:36 PM
BAP: You beat me to nit. The notion that Munson would somehow be more of a lock to make the team than Lincoln is preposterous.
Posted by: clout | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 06:20 PM
b_a_p: Guadin may be a serial sex offender. He may be a garden variety lech. But, was Chad Gaudin even convicted of so much as a misdemeanor for the incident in Las Vegas? Does your repugnance at his behavior extend to refusing to advance any argument for your criminal clients based on diminished capacity / intoxication negating criminal intent for "sexual assault" or for all crimes and misdemeanors? Guy may be a real scumbag, for all I know (I don't) but, the outrage about this guy's bad character seems very presumptuous. Moreover, If this standard were applied across the board, to disqualify every player who inappropriately touched a woman in his life, you'd probably need to fill 200 major league roster spots. Anyway, I'm not crying about Gaudin being gone but, some off-the-field incident doesn't really impact my opinion of the decision.
Posted by: Hugh Mulcahy | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 06:23 PM
First of all, barring a major injury, Lincoln is 100% on the 25 man to start the year as he's out of options.
***Chris Capuano is still out there. Throw him a quick deal. Solves Gaudin's release just like that.***
That would be a good idea actually if we're looking for SP depth and/or a swingman
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 06:51 PM
Mike DiGiovanna @MikeDiGiovanna 17m
Dennis Gilbert confirms to me that #Braves scout and former #Angels MGR Jim Fregosi has died. Was in MIA hospital after heart attack.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 07:13 PM
"Part 1: I refuse to concede that the choices should be limited to Gaudin and the guys presently in the organization."
Unfortunately, this discussion is taking place in the real world, so you're going to have to concede that if we're going to have a realistic discussion.
If you thought Gaudin was the 5th-best starter in the organization, then yeah, by default you're saying he should've been the fifth starter- unless you're putting his alleged character problems above the success of the team, which you seem to be doing.
There's no way to make a bet on this now since Gaudin was damaged goods, but I think it's at least arguable that Fausto/MAG/Martin would've been no worse than Gaudin. We don't know what we're getting from MAG, so saying he 'absolutely' would be worse is no better than saying he'll 'absolutely' be better- and Fausto's numbers stand to improve moving to the NL. Martin is 24 and has made 8 career starts. There are no absolutes here.
Actually, there is one absolute: if Chad Gaudin was forced into being the team's fifth starter for a prolonged period of time, they'd have been up sh*t's creek.
Posted by: Iceman | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 07:14 PM
Vintage Iceman. Trying to make an issue out of something where there wasn't an issue.
Morality/character issues aside, Gaudin was fine as a minor league signing and yeah the Phils could use another veteran in a similar role (veteran starter who would be willing to sign a minor league deal but have a very good shot to win an Opening Day roster spot either in the rotation/bullpen).
Posted by: MG | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 07:16 PM
RIP Jim Fregosi. Phillies fans owe you a debt of gratitude for '93.
Posted by: Pblunts | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 07:23 PM
Mike DiGiovanna @MikeDiGiovanna 9m
Important clarification from Dennis Gilbert: Jim Fregosi was taken off life support in Miami hospital. Thought he had died. So sorry.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 07:36 PM
" Does your repugnance at his behavior extend to refusing to advance any argument for your criminal clients based on diminished capacity / intoxication negating criminal intent for "sexual assault" or for all crimes and misdemeanors?"
As an aside, diminished capacity is not a defense in CA. And your argument/implication is an extremely slippery slope.
I never said Chad Gaudin didn't have a right to a vigorous defense if he were ever charged for this incident. I merely said that I find his conduct (which, to my knowledge, he never denied) to be repugnant. And, no, I do not think being drunk makes the act of groping a woman who is lying on a gurney in the emergency room at 3:00 in the morning any less repugnant. If Chad Gaudin asked me to be his lawyer, I have no doubt that I'd try to fashion a defense or mitigation argument around the fact that he was intoxicated. But I'm not his lawyer and, just because I do criminal defense work doesn't mean I have to suspend my common sense & believe that there might be some benign explanation for groping a woman on an emergency room gurney at 3:00 in the morning. Nor do I have any obligation to regard Chad Gaudin in the same fashion as I would regard any other stranger who has never been accused of such conduct.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 08:03 PM
RAJ is uniquely reviled in the Philadelphia sports scene. During my daily 15-minute review of WIP nonsense, known neanderthal Anthony Gargano unabashedly ripped him for "lying"
I just wonder if Montgomery learned of Gaudin's peculiar "issue" and refused to cut Gaudin a check, for anything ever, ever, ever. Based on the Phillies history, a torpedoed deal due to a failed physical is just a flat out lame excuse. RAJ probably jumped at the chance to unload the Gaudin PR disaster before it got much worse.
This team's FO is uniquely awful. To many double-clutches and impulse buys have done horrible things. Hard to believer that Pat Gillick - despite his nutty history of things gone wrong (Freddy Garcia, Adam Eaton, Rod Barajas) - remains widely regarded as a genius.
Gillick's WS aside, the bar's set pretty low. And Ruben keeps tripping over it.
Posted by: cut_fastball | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 08:08 PM
"To" = "Too"
Posted by: cut_fastball | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 08:10 PM
"believer" = "believe" Damn, TGP's 2 minute error correction window is priceless.
Posted by: cut_fastball | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 08:11 PM
Maybe he just came to camp fat and out of shape and they cut him for that?
Why does it have to be a freaking conspiracy? He's an also-ran swingman in camp on a minor league deal for godsake.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 08:15 PM
The Phillies need pitching depth? Gaudin went from a plus on the depth chart to exiting the organization on a strange path. It's my guess that any "physical" issues Gaudin had were known at his commitment to a MiLB contract.
Posted by: cut_fastball | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 08:20 PM
Part of the physical they give on Day 1 could easily be "dont show up looking like a fat slob...particularly if you're not guaranteed a roster spot".
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 08:23 PM
Phils signed and kept D. Young despite what he had done.
Doubt Gaudin was cut solely for groping a breast inappropriately either.
More likely what NEPP said. He showed up fat/out of shape and the Phils just 86'ed.
Posted by: MG | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 08:28 PM
Interesting - Delmon Young did hang on for an extended period. It would be interesting to see if the "weight clause" in his contract had anything to do with his release.
Posted by: cut_fastball | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 08:31 PM
BAP: "I do not think being drunk makes the act of groping a woman who is lying on a gurney in the emergency room at 3:00 in the morning any less repugnant."
C'mon, admit it. We've all been there.
Posted by: clout | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 08:42 PM
Gaudin had some fine numbers last season but he pitched only twice after Aug. 5 and he was rocked in his last outing.
Posted by: clout | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 08:49 PM
MG- I'm not the one that claimed the team took 'a hit' by losing a guy they could replace in five seconds.
I find it funny that a guy who basically harped every day this offseason that Amaro 'is just a guy that likes to check off boxes' is now upset that the most easily replaceable 'box' that can be checked off has been erased.
Posted by: Iceman | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 08:49 PM
clout - good one. Your humor is more dry than 4 oz. of Plymouth Gin with 2 drops of Noilly Prat.
Posted by: cut_fastball | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 08:50 PM
"I never said Chad Gaudin didn't have a right to a vigorous defense if he were ever charged for this incident. I merely said that I find his conduct (which, to my knowledge, he never denied) to be repugnant. And, no, I do not think being drunk makes the act of groping a woman who is lying on a gurney in the emergency room at 3:00 in the morning any less repugnant. If Chad Gaudin asked me to be his lawyer, I have no doubt that I'd try to fashion a defense or mitigation argument around the fact that he was intoxicated. But I'm not his lawyer and, just because I do criminal defense work doesn't mean I have to suspend my common sense & believe that there might be some benign explanation for groping a woman on an emergency room gurney at 3:00 in the morning. Nor do I have any obligation to regard Chad Gaudin in the same fashion as I would regard any other stranger who has never been accused of such conduct."
TL;DR: I am perfectly justified to stand in righteous judgment of a man I've never met, but if he paid me enough money, I'd be fine defending his actions.
Posted by: Iceman | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 08:55 PM
"I am perfectly justified to stand in righteous judgment of a man I've never met, but if he paid me enough money, I'd be fine defending his actions."
That's what lawyers do. You seem to find that shocking.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 09:09 PM
Quote from random blog about Gaudin.
"Almost every pitcher has some shoulder damage by the time they reach Gaudin’s age. It is just too convenient. Gaudin now has to seek work elsewhere, has lost some leverage, and many roster spots are filled. Look for the player’s union to put a stop to this."
Posted by: PLM | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 09:10 PM
Yeah, good luck with that random blog guy...
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 09:15 PM
Personally I think Ethan needs to be put in AAA for now. Sorta reminds me of Zagurski..
Posted by: PLM | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 09:17 PM
PLM: Ethan is actually a prospect. Zagurski was a 12th round college pitcher who was drafted with a ceiling of roster filler for AA and AAA. He was a fringe prospect at best.
Posted by: clout | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 09:28 PM
Exactly.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 09:34 PM
Philadelphia being shut down two days in a row. This storm is mucking up my productivity.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 10:04 PM
The mid-Atlantic region is going to have to toughen up about winter weather, cause this is probably closer to the new normal than not.
Posted by: Chris in VT | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 10:12 PM
Brian Roberts, president & CEO of Comcast, negotiated the merger by phone from Sochi, where he is attending the Olympics. Mr. Roberts was quoted as saying "Now that this small matter has been settled, I can devote my full energy to restoring Beerleaguer to it's former glory."
Posted by: Conway Twitty | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 10:18 PM
I guess we should be saying goodbye to Big Jim Fregosi. I don't think I've ever seen a man power smoke like that. He was truly one of a kind. And a baseball lifer. By all accounts a good guy, if a little gruff. Sad to see someone puffing their life away, literally. My father did much the same.
Posted by: aksmith | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 10:32 PM
AK, I hear you. He will be missed. While he probably did puff (and perhaps in recent years, eat) his life away, he will have lived 71 years, only 3 less than the average American male. And from the outside at least, it seems like it wasn't a bad life.
Posted by: steve | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 10:55 PM
Great reporting as always from Howard Eskin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) 7:10 PM
Former Manager Jim Fregosi dies at 71. Had suffered a massive stroke while on a cruise is last 36 hours.
Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) 7:38 PM
Former manager Jim Fregosi has been taken off support, but has not died. Info I got was pre mature and I apologize. He hangs on but very bad.
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 11:51 PM
All the nit picking over Kevin Munson's likelihood of making the team is pretty comical.
If there is only one spot left and everything between Munson and his competition are equal, does anyone really think that Munson doesn't start the season in Philadelphia?
I don't know if the guy is league average, the savior of the bullpen or a complete piece of garbage, but I don't see too many names on that list who strike me as a sure thing. Unless three guys completely outperform Munson by a country mile, he's starting 2014 in the Phils bullpen.
Posted by: Will Schweitzer | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 12:11 AM
this wiki article is a good place to start if we want to remember Big Jim Fregosi's 1993 Phillies. in Harry's NLE clinching call he refered to them as "this wonderful band of throwback players..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Philadelphia_Phillies_season
Posted by: bullit | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 12:17 AM
"That's what lawyers do. You seem to find that shocking."
bap, no, just morally repugnant and the height of greedy, hypocritical behavior.
Posted by: pro bono | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 12:32 AM
"Grantland ranks baseball's 15 worst contracts:
http://grantland.com/features/mlb-worst-contracts-alex-rodriguez-albert-pujols/"
I kept wincing every time I got past #10 and it wasn't Howard. The gif on him falling on his ass had me giggling madly like a child for about 30 seconds.
Posted by: Jackamac | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 12:38 AM
SI Now: Aging Phillies last stand
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/video/mlb/20140212/2014-02-12-clip9.sportsillustrated/
Posted by: awh™ | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 12:39 AM
Jackamac, do you even read the threads?
I posted that link almost 9 hours ago.
Posted by: awh™ | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 12:48 AM
Sorry to hear about Jim Fregosi. The man was a big part of that wild and wacky 93 season.
Posted by: Dragon | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 01:40 AM
On the bullpen:
Papelbon, DeFratus, Lincoln are locks because they are out of options.
Bastardo is lock due to his prior effectiveness.
I expect Diekman to be there as a LOOGY.
Munson gets the nod as Rule 5.
I think the 'long man' role is unclear. Lincoln or Rosenberg could fill that role I suppose but might be better as higher leverage guys. I'd actually like to have MAG in that role to keep innings off his arm but keep him with the Major League Club and coaches to learn about the league.
Papelbon, Bastardo, DeFratus, Lincoln, Diekman, Munson, MAG would be my current plan.
Posted by: PhxPhilly | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 05:26 AM
i like that plan.
Posted by: bullit | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 06:47 AM
awh*, it appears as though Jackamac was quoting you.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 07:35 AM
Fatti, I missed that. Such happens when too much wine and early AM hours interfere with reading comprehension.
Posted by: awh™ | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 08:49 AM
RIP, Jim Fregosi.
Posted by: awh™ | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 08:52 AM
RIP Jim Fregosi. A true baseball lifer who'll be missed.
Posted by: D Pat | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 09:12 AM
"Ruiz’s assessment of Gonzalez’s workout was lukewarm.
“It’s hard to say right now because it’s the first day,” Ruiz said. “He was a little wild. I said to him, ‘It’s the first day of spring training.’ He threw some strikes, but he left some balls up and bounced a couple curveballs.”" -- CSN Philly
Sounds like MAG is ready for a spot in the Phillies bullpen already
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 09:12 AM
Speaking of wild pitches, A.J. Burnett and Wil Nieves should make a record setting battery.
Posted by: Meyer | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 09:27 AM
Cyclic, LINK PLEASE!
Posted by: awh™ | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 09:30 AM
http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/gonzalez-draws-crowd-questions-remain
Sorry, mate. It was up in the right sidebar, posted by the CSN overlords.
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 09:36 AM
Yeah yeah, ST isn't worth much, but if MAG has a really good spring and is anywhere close to what the Phillies thought when his deal was $48 million, then I really hope he starts with the big club and not in AAA.
He'd have to look pretty bad for me to believe that AAA is the best option for him to start the year.
I also agree with what bap said earlier, and regardless of ST performance, it will be ridiculous if some combination of Gwynn Jr., Abreu, Frandsen, Cedeno, etc. make the opening day roster while Ruf starts at AAA.
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 10:03 AM
Might as well say they're going to fill out the bullpen with a combination of Huey, Duey, and Louie.
Posted by: limoguy | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 10:29 AM
Yeah yeah, ST isn't worth much, but if MAG has a really good spring and is anywhere close to what the Phillies thought when his deal was $48 million, then I really hope he starts with the big club and not in AAA.
He'd have to look pretty bad for me to believe that AAA is the best option for him to start the year.
I also agree with what bap said earlier, and regardless of ST performance, it will be ridiculous if some combination of Gwynn Jr., Abreu, Frandsen, Cedeno, etc. make the opening day roster while Ruf starts at AAA.
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 10:03 AM
I'd be very willing to bet that the Opening Day bench consists of Fransden, Mayberry, Galvis, Abreu, and Nieves, with Ruf either at AAA to open the season or traded sometime between now and April. If I'm wrong, I'd be delighted, but I don't think I will be.
Posted by: Allen Thornberg | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 10:35 AM
Didn't realize De Fratus was out of options. He is a basically a lock too unless he is horrendous in ST.
Contrarily to Amaro's talk the other day about lots of roster spot battles there are almost none on the entire roster. Every starting position is filled. Rotation is sent. Basically 1-2 bench spots and 2-3 bullpen spots.
Posted by: MG | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 10:36 AM
Another dark thought; does anyone think it odd that the Burnett deal still has yet to be officialized by Amaro, and that we haven't got the details of the option yet? My paranoid side tells me that Rube could be trying to stall off the consummation of the deal until he gets a better handle on whether MAG can pitch or not; I keep expecting to log on Beerleaguer and see that the Burnett deal has fallen through, with Rube claiming that the option terms were the sticking point and Burnett's camp insisting that they have no idea why Rube suddenly backed out.
Posted by: Allen Thornberg | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 10:45 AM
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-13/minor-leaguers-of-the-world-unite-.html#q|get_items|%7B%22status%22%3A200%2C%22page_num%22%3A1%2C%22filter%22%3A%22unread%22%2C%22total_matches%22%3A0%2C%22is_search%22%3Afalse%2C%22items%22%3A%5B%5D%7D
"Three minor league baseball players have filed a class action lawsuit against Major League Baseball claiming the current contract system violates local and federal wage laws.
The suit was filed by Aaron Senne, Michael Liberto and Oliver Odle in the federal California Northern District Court and names as defendants MLB, the commissioner's office, Commissioner Bud Selig and the parent clubs of their former teams -- the Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants.
The backbone of the case is that minor leaguers aren't afforded the benefits of a union, as major leaguers are, and thus work mandatory, unpaid overtime hours, receiving pay amounting to less than minimum wage. While some players get substantial bonuses, the suit says the average player receives a salary of $3,000 to $7,500 for a season of work. It also claims that while minor leaguers are compensated for the five-month season, they often have contractual obligations to appear at spring training, winter training, instructional league and conditioning sessions that occur outside that period."
MLB already created the slotted draft system to save $$$ for MLB teams and you actually work out the hours worked by minor league ball players including the mandatory contractactual periods they are at below minimum wage.
Depending upon the political leanings of the juge (and there is a reason they filed this in Northern CA), this will have some legs to it.
Posted by: MG | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 10:48 AM
BAP- it certainly is a lawyer's job to defend some reprehensible characters for large sums of money. I have no problem with that.
What's interesting in your case is that you take particularly self-righteous moral stands against certain characters (Gaudin) that probably aren't nearly as disgusting as the people you defend for a living. That isn't part of the job.
Posted by: Iceman | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 10:54 AM
Less impressive spring debut?
MAG or Ricky 'Wild Thing' Vaughn?
Posted by: MG | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 11:26 AM
MG, MAG....
Posted by: awh™ | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 12:07 PM
This Gaudin crap is getting out of hand. He'll contribute successfully to another club. Did he get charged with a crime? It didn't seem to make a difference in Brett Myers case. I hope he makes the Phillie brass look like idiots.
Posted by: Sam Dracula | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 12:25 PM
Apparently Todd Zolecki is reporting that Burnett also got a limited no-trade clause - no details available on that either. So many questions....
Posted by: ColonelTom | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 12:31 PM
"Didn't realize De Fratus was out of options. He is a basically a lock too unless he is horrendous in ST."
MG, not necessarily. They have let relief arms walk in the past.
Posted by: awh™ | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 01:04 PM
DeFratus was a mainstay on the Phillies top 20 prospect lists for years and is only 2 seasons removed from being the team's 7th ranked prospect on BA's annual list. While his rookie year was something of a disappointment, he certainly didn't disgrace himself. He would have to stink it up something fierce to be let go in spring training.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 02:09 PM
AT, just because you're paranoid doesn't mean you're wrong. The terms of the option and no-trade clause would be very important, particularly on a one-year deal. Given that we've seen this movie before (the initial deal with MAG), and since we have big questions about two rotation arms (Hamels and MAG) I wouldn't be shocked to see it fall through either.
Posted by: ColonelTom | Friday, February 14, 2014 at 02:10 PM