06/07 Phillies Offseason Thread

[PhillyPhreak54]

Who would spend that money on him (Soriano) though?

Mets said they weren't interested.
Yankees said they won't likely go after him.
Boston? Maybe. Gotta get rid of Manny first. Unless they play Soriano in RF and that would be a terrible defensive OF
Dodgers? Maybe.

But who knows who is bullshteintin and who is tellin the troof.

It'd be great to see the Phils get him.

I hope they look elsewhere for the 4th starter. I don't think Wolf's the answer.

I'd like to see thm go after Gil Meche. He's known to Gillick because of the Seattle connection. Put him in the NL and his numbers improve a little bit. He'd be a great 4th starter.

GET GIL MECHE!

[PhillyPhreak54]

By Todd Zolecki
The Philadelphia Inquirer

PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies can't make an official offer to free-agent outfielder Alfonso Soriano until Nov. 12, but when they do they know it needs to be a legitimate proposal.
How much will it take?

The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that Soriano is seeking a similar contract to the one Carlos Beltran signed with the New York Mets before the 2005 season, which was for seven years and $119 million. The Phillies could open with a five-year offer for $80 million.

The Phillies will pursue Soriano before they try to trade leftfielder Pat Burrell. A source said there is a chance the Phillies could open the season with both players in the outfield. But the Phils would prefer to move Burrell, who will make $27 million for the next two seasons.

Soriano hit .277 with 46 home runs, 95 RBIs and 41 stolen bases last season for the Washington Nationals. He batted leadoff 541 times, but he likely would hit fourth between Ryan Howard and Chase Utley if he signed with the Phillies.
The Phillies still hope to re-sign lefthander Randy Wolf, who would round out their starting rotation.

But the club expects Wolf to test the free-agent market for the first time in his career before he signs anywhere.

Wolf is expected to draw considerable interest.

The Phillies also have to make a call on centerfielder Aaron Rowand. He has a $3.25 million player option and has until Wednesday to pick it up or decline. He is expected to decline it, but the Phils have a $5 million club option. If they don't pick up that option, the Phillies still control Rowand's rights. They could renegotiate a contract in between $3.25 million and $5 million or take him to salary arbitration.

[PhillyPhreak54]

By Pete Caldera
The Record (Hackensack N.J.)

There are teams involved in the Alfonso Soriano sweepstakes that are considering Gary Sheffield as their "Plan B."
The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to chase hard after Soriano, the top slugging free agent, but they also would consider sending a package including starter Gavin Floyd to the Bronx in exchange for Sheffield, whose $13 million option should be triggered by Sunday night's deadline.
The Phillies could be willing to extend Sheffield's contract by one year, though Sheffield wants a guarantee through 2009.

Not a fan of Sheff. He's a walking stint on the DL and he's always whining about something. If he'd shut his mouth and guarantee us 162 and put up his number I'm sold. But he won't and he can't.

Get Soriano!

[Rome]

Gil Meche's home/away splits are atrocious, Jay.

He had the good fortune to pitch in Safeco Field, that's why his stats were skewed.

No thanks.

[Geowhizzer]

What about Jeff Suppan?  I think he's a free agent this year.

[ice grillin you]

suppan would fill out the rotation nicely and wont break the bank

IN

[BigEd76]

According to Randy Miller, Soriano's agent plans to get the Mets and Phillies bidding against each other to drive up the price, then the agent, not Soriano, has the final say on the deal accepted.  ummm 

Supposedly one of his Phillies sources (could be a fan or some janitor for all we know) thinks Soriano would hit at least 50 HRs and steal 50-60 bases, and another says they have only minimal interest in Aramis Ramirez.  He talked to a "Diamondbacks source" (probably another janitor) that said the D-Backs have no interest in Burrell because he only has "40 good swings a year"...

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

no interest in Burrell because he only has "40 good swings a year"...

Ha!  Good analysis.

[Geowhizzer]

He has that many?

[MDS]

mpmpcgraw buy a team so you can trade for burrell

[mpmcgraw]

According to Randy Miller, Soriano's agent plans to get the Mets and Phillies bidding against each other to drive up the price, then the agent, not Soriano, has the final say on the deal accepted.  ummm 

Why is this a bad thing? 

Doesnt Soriano have the same agent as Thome?

[ice grillin you]

Why is this a bad thing?

are you serious?

[mpmcgraw]

I read the first part wrong shut up or mds will rape you in your sleep. 

Even if you do shut up he might rape you anyway.

[ice grillin you]

youre wrong a lot....almost more than bunkley...if thats even possible

[mpmcgraw]

Burrell is not a bad player, deal with it.

Rowand is not a good player, deal with it. 

I assumed you were mainly talking about my defense of Burrell because I agree with you more than not about the Eagles, whatever that may say about me.