Ryno looking for $18 million, Buchholz re-signs with Rox

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.

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.

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.

Wathan to manage 'Claws in 09

The Phillies announced the minor league coaching assignments for 2009. Dusty Wathan will be the manager in the BlueClaw's ninth season, taking over for Steve Roadcap, who will move up to Reading. Former major league pitcher Bob Milacki will be the pitching coach and Gregg Legg will return as the bench coach. Dave Huppert, who managed the BlueClaws to the 2006 SAL championship and the Threshers to the 2007 FSL title, will return to Lehigh Valley for a second season with the IronPigs. Dave Lundquist, who was the pitching coach here last season, stays with his staff and goes to Clearwater to work with manager Ernie Whitt.

Also, Jason Donald was awarded the Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award, which is awarded to the the Arizona Fall League player who best exemplifies unselfishness, hard work and leadership on and off the field. More congrats for JD, who had a landmark 2008.

Mathieson re-signs

The Phillies did not tender an offer to Scott Mathieson, making him a free agent, then resigned him to a new minor league deal. This removes him from the 40-man roster. Mathieson, a 2004 BlueClaw who made his major league debut in June of 2006, pitched just 7 games in 2007 and missed all of this year while rehabbing 2 separate Tommy John surgeries.

Bear, Harker lost in rule 5 draft

More of our boys on the move today as both Brett Harker and Ron "Bear" Hill were selected by the Florida Marlins in the minor league phase of the rule 5 draft.

Also, Andy Barb was selected by the Orioles off the Seattle's minor league roster. Andy, who had 17 saves with Lakewood in 2006 before leaving as part of the Jamie Moyer deal had an injury riddled 2008 and is looking to come back with the Orioles. He has been assigned to AA Bowie.

JJ to Pirates

The Phillies have traded Jason Jaramillo to Pittsburgh for Ronny Paulino. Jaramillo goes to Pirates where he get a chance to play for former AAA manager John Russell and former roving hitting instructor Don Long.

JJ hit .304 for Lakewood in 2005, and was selected to the SAL all-star team. He skipped Clearwater and went directly to Reading in 2006, where he hit .247, also getting some time at AAA. Then he hit .379 in the Arizona fall league. He was also a member of the USA World Cup team, which won a gold medal in Taiwan following the 2007 season.

Jaramillo has become the odd man out with the emergence of Lou Marson as the catcher of the future in the eyes of Phillies management.