Phillies Offseason Talk

[hunt]

[Geowhizzer]

 

[JTrotter Fan]

Mitch Fargin Williams!   

[Geowhizzer]

Mitch Fargin Williams!   

I think we've discussed this on here before, but that was all on Fregosi.  Williams was so obviously out of gas that he was throwing batting practice.  He should not have been used at that point- he just had nothing left.  Instead of 95+, he was throwing about 85.

Now, the harder question may have been:  who to put in that situation instead.

[SD_Eagle5]

Mitch Fargin Williams!   

I think we've discussed this on here before, but that was all on Fregosi.  Williams was so obviously out of gas that he was throwing batting practice.  He should not have been used at that point- he just had nothing left.  Instead of 95+, he was throwing about 85.

Now, the harder question may have been:  who to put in that situation instead.

I know Williams was the logical choice since he had been our closer all year, so I won't second guess Fregosi's decision (even over a decade later). However, Roger Mason came in as middle relief and was mowing 'em down. I think he had two consecutive 3 up and 3 down innings followed by the West/Anderson duo who also pitched scoreless innings. 

[JTrotter Fan]

It's still nice to have Mitch Fargin Williams as the scapegoat.  It's kinda like Aaron Fargin Boone.

[Geowhizzer]

It's still nice to have Mitch Fargin Williams as the scapegoat.  It's kinda like Aaron Fargin Boone.

That was one of the most painful sports moments of my life.  Thinking that the Phils would force game 7, have a real chance of actually winning the Series outright, and BAM! Game, series, season over.

I was just glad that if it had to happen, it was Joe Carter.  If it was Rickey Henderson, we'd still be hearing him go on about it.

[PhillyGirl]

hunt...how did it feel  blowing a 3-0 lead in the ALCS to the Red Sox?

stfu.

Phils determined to close Wagner deal


Daily News Staff Reports

David Montgomery and Ruben Amaro Jr. brought this back from Richmond, Va.:

Billy Wagner is serious.

Their message to their fans: So are we.

Wagner, who can become a free agent next month, wants $29 million over three seasons with a no-trade clause. It is believed that the Phillies' best offer before they arranged yesterday's meeting in the offices of Wagner's agent was 2 years with a team option for a third, a deal whose maximum value would be $24 million, with limited no-trade provisions.

"We made a proposal," said Amaro, the Phillies' assistant general manager who is handling negotiations after Montgomery, the team president, fired GM Ed Wade on Monday.

Wagner's response?

"Billy's a confident guy," Amaro said, then allowed, "We have some ground to cover, as far as what Billy wants. We'll be proactive in doing that."

Which means, it appears, that Wagner hasn't budged but the Phillies have. And they know they might have to budge some more. Wagner has been insistent that he needs to make at least as much per year as the $9 million he made last season in order to return to hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. Before Montgomery fired Wade, the Phillies told Wagner he was overvaluing himself.

Wagner, 34, and Bean Stringfellow, his agent, did not return messages left yesterday by the Daily News but, in an interview with Comcast SportsNet, Wagner described the meeting as "kind of refreshing.''

"We got to sit down with no stress of a game to play that day,'' he said.

"I think it's definitely going to be an ongoing process, but it was a positive start.

"Both sides were listening. They did a lot more listening, which is good. It's obvious they want to do the best they can, and there's give and take on both sides.

"I think today was a good move forward.''

One of the possible issues with Wagner is the team's lack of a general manager, which could affect the manager, coaching staff and composition of the club. Asked if that was a point of contention for Wagner, Amaro replied, "We didn't glean that."

What they did glean is that Wagner is willing to test the market, especially with the well-heeled Red Sox, Mets and Braves possibly needing closers in 2006. Which is why the Phillies don't want him hitting that market.

Amaro stressed this more than anything else: "This remains a priority for us."

Hunsicker update

League sources indicated that heavyweight GM candidate Gerry Hunsicker was scheduled to interview today for a front-office spot in Tampa Bay. Hunsicker is considered a favorite for the Phillies' vacant position.

The Phillies are expected to begin winnowing their candidate list today when their remaining brain trust meets with David Montgomery. However, the team is believed to have contacted Hunsicker to indicate its interest in the Collegeville, Pa., native, who built the Astros team that began its second straight NLCS last night.

Transactions

The Phillies have announced the following player transactions:

• Righthanded pitchers Keith Bucktrot, Francisco Butto and Edwin Moreno and catcher A.J. Hinch have been outrighted to Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Hinch has opted for free agency.

• Righthanded pitcher Yoel Hernandez had his contract purchased from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and has been added to the 40-man roster.

[hunt]

hunt...how did it feel  blowing a 3-0 lead in the ALCS to the Red Sox?

stfu.

i didn't blow the lead...i'm not on the team...duh.

make the playoffs...PLEASE!

[PhillyPhreak54]

The more I read about Troy Glaus, the more I change my mind on wanting him. I read in SportsWeekly that the reason ARZ is looking to dump him is because he has poor work ethic and has a poor attitude.

[rjs246]

Sounds like he'll fit right in.

[ice grillin you]

The more I read about Troy Glaus, the more I change my mind on wanting him. I read in SportsWeekly that the reason ARZ is looking to dump him is because he has poor work ethic and has a poor attitude

so hes burrell at third

i want burrell out for no other reason than if i see him strike out looking one more time i might go back on dust....and i dont wanna start smoking dust again

[PhillyPhreak54]

I'd almost prefer to see them trade Abreu for a starting pitcher. I love Bobby A, but they've got to shake it up. And not trade a RH for another RH. They need to get rid of some of the LH heavy lineup. And they need a #1 SP.

I like the Thome/Bell to SEA for Beltre deal better - if true.

[SunMo]

The more I read about Troy Glaus, the more I change my mind on wanting him. I read in SportsWeekly that the reason ARZ is looking to dump him is because he has poor work ethic and has a poor attitude

so hes burrell at third

i want burrell out for no other reason than if i see him strike out looking one more time i might go back on dust....and i dont wanna start smoking dust again

i agree completely.  maybe once in awhile, instead of trying to buy a walk by lifting his arms at any pitch near the inside corner, he could turn on one of those babies be the slugger he's paid to be.

[ice grillin you]

And they need a #1 SP

thats by far number one...it would put everyone is their rightful slots as far as the rotation goes...i almost wanna say they would have won the divison with a legit #1 this year...but they absolutely would have won the wc