Ryan Howard has drawn his line in the sand. The big first baseman, who made $10 million while leading the Phillies to the promised land in 2008, is looking for a small raise for 2009. Howard is asking for $18 million, while the Phillies are offering $14 million. Ryan was one of only a few players to win in arbitration last year. He hit 48 home runs and drove in 146 runs in the championship season, has hit 177 homers in his 3.5 year career, and his next RBI will be #500. Ryan, who just turned 29 years old, has hit 58, 47, and 48 dingers the past 3 seasons.
Meanwhile, Taylor Buchholz was rewarded by Colorado with a $1.055 million deal, avoiding the arbitration process. Buchholz, who was the starting pitcher in the BlueClaws first ever game, made 63 appearances out the bullpen for the Rockies, posting a very solid 2.17 ERA in what was his first season exclusively as a reliever.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Phillies lock up Hamels
The Phillies began taking care of business yesterday, agreeing with Cole Hamels on a 3-year $20.5 million deal. Cole, who is 25 years old, will still be eligible for arbitration after the 2011 season and a free agent after 2012, but this gives him financial security and the Phillies some flexibility to lock up some other players, most notably Ryan Howard.
You may remember Hamels, soaked with champagne in the clubhouse saying he wanted to help the Phils becomes a "dynasty like the Yankees, or the Braves." He will now have at least 3 more chances to pitch them to another championship.
In an unrelated note, Scott Mathieson has agreed to pitch for Canada in the World Baseball Classic this March.
You may remember Hamels, soaked with champagne in the clubhouse saying he wanted to help the Phils becomes a "dynasty like the Yankees, or the Braves." He will now have at least 3 more chances to pitch them to another championship.
In an unrelated note, Scott Mathieson has agreed to pitch for Canada in the World Baseball Classic this March.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Former 'Claws all over BA list
Baseball America has released its lists of top prospects for each major league organization and the Phillies list has former Lakewood BlueClaws in 8 of the top 9 spots.
Dominic Brown, who had an outstanding 2008, has taken the #1 position from Carlos Carrasco, who held it the last 2 years. Carlos "falls" to #2.
Catcher Lou Marson has moved up to #3, and Jason Donald is #4. Donald may be the only HomeSider who had a more impressive 2008 than Brown, while Marson becomes the catcher of the future for the world champs.
Kyle Drabek, recovered from Tommy John surgery, is #5, Michael Taylor, who hit .348 for 2 teams last summer comes in at #6, and Travis D'Arnuad, who was very impressive at Williamsport and Lakewood is #7.
J.A. Happ, who will vie for a spot in the Phillies starting rotation this spring, is #9.
It has taken 9 years, but now Lakewood has truly become the home of future Philadelphia Phillies.
Dominic Brown, who had an outstanding 2008, has taken the #1 position from Carlos Carrasco, who held it the last 2 years. Carlos "falls" to #2.
Catcher Lou Marson has moved up to #3, and Jason Donald is #4. Donald may be the only HomeSider who had a more impressive 2008 than Brown, while Marson becomes the catcher of the future for the world champs.
Kyle Drabek, recovered from Tommy John surgery, is #5, Michael Taylor, who hit .348 for 2 teams last summer comes in at #6, and Travis D'Arnuad, who was very impressive at Williamsport and Lakewood is #7.
J.A. Happ, who will vie for a spot in the Phillies starting rotation this spring, is #9.
It has taken 9 years, but now Lakewood has truly become the home of future Philadelphia Phillies.
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