Phillies Offseason Talk

[PhillyPhreak54]

I don't know if they would go that high since Ryan doesn't have a proven track record of being a closer. Last year was his first year as a closer so maybe they'd be hesitant to pull the trigger because of that.

Either way, they've got to get one or the other. My preferance is getting Billy Wags back.

Billy said in an interview that Madson is going to the rotation too, so they need BP help in a bad way.

And to help relieve the payroll a bit if they re-sign Wags they'll just have to trade Bobby Abreu or pat Burrell.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

As for Billy Wags....Gillick is meeting with him today.

If I am Gillick I offer him 3 years $33-$36M to help make up for that 4th year the Mets are offering. Maybe he'd still go for the guaranteed 4th year but the Phillies MUST retain him. If they let him walk there is nothing out there.

That's a really stupid idea.  We'd regret that contract as early as this season.

A better deal would be to offer him $27-$28m over 3 years, with a team option for $8-9m in the 4th year.  If the team chooses to release him, about a $3 million buyout would be activated.  You're looking at a deal that gives Wagner the $30 million guaranteed he wants and manages to squeeze in a quasi-4th year also.

$11m+/year is just too much.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Or we could watch Vicente Padilla/Robinson Tejada/random FA slopballer blow leads all year long.

Which is more stupid? Sign a great closer or pay less and go back to the days of Joe Table?

[JTrotter Fan]

How bout the Phils just take a year off and not play.  That might be better. 

[rjs246]

How bout the Phils just take a year off and not play.  That might be better. 

Finally! Someone else has gotten on board.

[Rome]

You're assuming that the rag-tag bunch of bitches they have starting and setting up will get them to leads in the 9th, Jay.

I don't see that happening.  They have to get the starting staff straightened out first, then concern themselves with set-up men, and then worry about a closer.

Closers can be had for less than Wagner is asking and if they don't have leads going into the 8th and 9th innings because of zesty starting and middle relief pitching, what good does it do to have an $11M/year closer?

[BigEd76]

There's no way I'd give him $12M a year.  Closers break down.  Even Gagne...

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Overpaying for guys has worked so far for this team, right?

[MDS]

3 years 30 mil is my limit for wags. if he wants to walk to new york for me years and money, so be it.

[SunMo]

From Bob Nightengale in USA Today:
High-ranking club officials revealed that the White Sox have informed the Phillies that they want first baseman Jim Thome.

And, yes, the Phillies replied, Thome is very much available. Trading Thome would clear room for Rookie of the Year Ryan Howard.

The Phillies have several suitors for Thome, but with $43.5 remaining in his contract, they will likely have to swallow nearly half of his salary. The Phillies also realize that their offseason options could be severely limited by Thome, who has a no-trade clause.

And guess where he'd love to play next year? On the South Side of Chicago.

The White Sox believe that Thome can help bring them another World Series championship. He not only provides insurance in case free agent first baseman Paul Konerko flees for a potential five-year, $65 million contract offer from the Angels, but he becomes the finest DH in the game if Konerko returns.

White Sox GM Kenny Williams refused to confirm or deny his team's interest in Thome, but Williams vows the White Sox will be aggressive this offseason.

"Sometimes, you have to be creative, go a little out of the box to get it done," Williams says. "We'll figure this out just like we figured things out last year when Magglio (Ordonez) was gone, Carlos (Lee) was gone. The whole of the team is more important than any individual piece. We want Paul back, and I'm optimistic something will work out.

"But we have to make plans to protect ourselves. And if we can get Paul back, too, it'll make us that much stronger."

[rjs246]

Steroids are yummy.

[SunMo]

Steroids are yummy.

stop being mean, you're making me sad.

[Rome]

Steroids are yummy.

stop being mean, you're making me sad.

Roid rage!

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I would love to see Thome in a White Sox uniform next year.

[MDS]

id give them thome for a sack of dog crap if they take his contract off our hands.