Briere = Cadaver?

21 01 2009

By Mike Gill
(From Philadelphiaflyers.com)

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that center Danny Briere will undergo an exploratory surgical procedure on Thursday, January 22, according club General Manager Paul Holmgren.
 
“Due to lingering discomfort in his groin/stomach areas, Danny (Briere) will have an exploratory surgical procedure done tomorrow (Thursday, January 22) by Dr. William Meyers (at Hahnemann University Hospital). Recovery time will be a minimum of two weeks,” said Holmgren in making the announcement.
 
“I am very disappointed,” said Briere. “It’s been frustrating not knowing what is going on, so we have decided to go in and check things out.”
 
Briere, 31, recorded a goal and four assists for five points and two penalty minutes in three games for the Phantoms after being assigned to the Phantoms for conditioning purposes on January 14. He has registered five goals and four assists for nine points in nine games with the Flyers this season.

He has missed the last 21 Flyers games with a groin strain, and 30 of the last 31 overall due to injury.

PCPTake:It looks like this story is getting a little fishy.  Do they want Briere back or not?  It seems anytime he gets a chance to talk he takes a step back.  On the other side, its not really fair for Luca Sbisa to get sent back to juniors, that’s kind of a major slap in the face and a waste of every ones time.  The problem is of course money.  Briere makes it and Sbisa doesn’t, so they need to figure out a way to make this all work.  The only other way is to trade a guy like Scottie Upshall or Mike Knuble, but if that doesn’t happen its Sbisa to juniors or Briere under the knife.


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Categories : Flyers, Hockey

Durbin Signs a 1-year deal

21 01 2009
Durbin was a key in the pen in 2008.

Durbin was a key in the pen in 2008.

By Mike Gill
(From Phillies Press Release)

Right-hander Chad Durbin agreed to a one-year, $1.635 million contract, avoiding salary arbitration, Assistant General Manager Scott Proefrock
announced today.

“Chad came to Philadelphia and in his first season of being a full-time reliever helped solidify what we believe to be one of the best bullpens in baseball,” said
Proefrock.

Durbin went 5-4 with a 2.87 ERA in a career-high 71 appearances last season, his first as a Phillie. He led all National League relievers in
innings pitched (87.2) and appeared in six playoff games for the Phillies.

“We’re very pleased with how it all played out and definitely didn’t want to go to arbitration,” said Durbin. “Both sides are happy to be
where we ended up.”

Originally selected by the Kansas City Royals in the third round of the June 1996 draft, Durbin is 30-41 with two saves and a 5.29 ERA in 185
games (75 starts) for the Royals (1999-2002), Cleveland Indians (2003-04), Arizona Diamondbacks (2004), Detroit Tigers (2006-07) and
Phillies (2008). In 110 career relief appearances, Durbin is 11-8 with a 3.88 ERA.

Durbin’s signing leaves two remaining arbitration-eligible players: first baseman Ryan Howard and outfielder Jayson Werth.


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He’s Werth It, Phils ink Werth to multi-year deal

21 01 2009
Werth signs a two-year deal.

Werth signs a two-year deal.

By Mike Gill

Another Phillie avoided the. arbitration process today.

The Phillies signed outfielder Jason Werth to a multi-year deal according to CSNPhilly.com.  The outfielder was an integral part of the Phillies playoff run, starting 103 games, hitting .272, 24 home runs and 67 RBI.  It is believed to be a two-year, $8-million deal that buys up one of his free-agent years and keeps him in Philadelphia without having to go through the arbitration process. 

Give Ruben Amaro Jr. credit, he is avoiding a lot of exchanges at the arbitration table and seems to be making good deals in the process.  Werth had asked for $4-million per season, the Phillies offered $3-million. so both sides came to a compromise, with Werth getting what he wanted and the Phillies getting to buy one of his free agent years.

Update  : The Deal is 2-years, $10 million.


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Phils Sign Blanton to 1-year, $5.475 Million deal

20 01 2009

By Mike Gill

The Phillies have added another piece to their World Series puzzle and avoided arbitration by giving pitcher Joe Blanton a 1-year, $5.475 million deal.  Blanton was 4-0 after being brought over from the Oakland A’s and gave the Phillies a quality innings eater at the back-end of their rotation. 

The signings leave three players eligible for arbitration: Ryan Howard, Jason Werth and Chad Durbin.

PCPTake:  This is anothe rsolid move, just to make sure there is peace and harmony in the club house.  Not only did he go 4-0 during the regular season, but he also went 3-0 during the playoffs and became a fan favorite by hitting a post season home run.  Overall, he is a solid back-end guy and should gives the Phillies a durable arm that can log innings.  Its also not a bad deal for the Phillies, who now only need to lock Durbin up to complete there staff.


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Another Phillies Player Avoids Arbitration

20 01 2009
Victorino gets a 1-year deal

Victorino gets a 1-year deal

By Mike Gill

According to CSNPhilly.com, the Phillies have avoided arbirtation with outfielder Shane Victorino. 

The two-sides agreed on a one-year deal, the terms of the deal were not announced.  This is another good move by the Phils, first locking up Greg Dobbs, then Cole Hamels, then Ryan Madson and now Vicotrinio. 

The only think one has to wonder is, what is Ryan Howard thinking?  We all know the Phillies arent prepared to throw that long term deal at Howard, but I wonder if they Phillies have even thought about giving him a 3-year deal at this point.  Either way, I doubt Howard would take the home-town discount that Utley, Rollins and Hamels have all taken to stay in Philly.

Victorinio is a key to the Phils though, he plays with heart and emotion and is a catalyst for this team.  Even though I would like to have seen him sign a long-term deal, just knowhing he is back and has a chance to again prove he is an everyday player doesnt hurt.  I can see an scenario where Victorinio is signed long-term at the mid-season if he gets off to a good start. 

Either way, I think all parties are happy and one-by-one the Phillies are chopping down that arbitration list.

UPDATE : The deal is a 1-year, $3.125 million deal. Victorino has avoided arbitration and made $350,000 last season.


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PHILLIES, MADSON AGREE TO THREE-YEAR CONTRACT

20 01 2009

By Mike Gill
(From Phillies Press Release)

Right-hander Ryan Madson agreed to a three-year, $12 million contract, avoiding arbitration, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today.

Madson, 28, went 4-2 with one save and a 3.05 ERA in 76 appearances for the Phillies last season. He finished fifth among National League relievers in innings pitched (82.2) and tied for ninth in games. Madson pitched at least 2.0 innings in 15 of his 76 appearances. In 11 playoff games, he was 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA, including five scoreless innings in the National League Championship Series.

“Ryan has emerged as a quality setup reliever and big game pitcher,” said Amaro. “We’re very happy that he will be part of our bullpen for at least another three years.”

Originally selected by the Phillies in the ninth round of the 1998 draft, Madson has a career record of 32-21 with five saves and a 3.94 ERA in 295 games. In 277 career relief appearances, he has a 3.18 ERA.

PCPTake: The Phillies lock-up one of the stars of this post season by inking Madson to this 3-year deal.  Lets hope his post season wasnt a tease and he can pitch like that for a full season.  He might be called on more this season early with the loss of JC Romero for 50 games.  I think Madson can certinly regain that form, the hope here is that he doesnt run out of gas if they make the post season.


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The Duke’s Picks – Conference Championships

18 01 2009

mcnabb-709810by Michael DeLuca

Teams in bold are predictions with the spread, teams in CAPS are home teams.

Philadelphia Eagles -3.5 ARIZONA CARDINALS – I went through a large part of the year touting the Arizona Cardinals defense, claiming them to be the most underrated unit in the league.  It’s a very difficult point to argue, since their high octane pass offense, ranked #2 in the league in pass attempts, takes little time off the clock and leaves them on the field for such a large portion of the game.  In such a scenario, one must look beyond the yards against totals, where Arizona ranked 22nd against the pass and 16th against the rush during the 08′ regular season.  When you take a look at the team on a per play basis, you’ll notice that only 10 team’s had a better defense against the run when it comes to yards per carry, where opponents averaged 4.0.  Led by Karlos Dansby and his 119 tackles (95 solo), this unit can defend the run with the best of them.  Their pass defense, on the other hand Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Cardinals, Eagles, Football, Ravens, Steelers

Three More Years For King Cole

18 01 2009
The 3-Year, $20.5 Million man.

The 3-Year, $20.5 Million man.

By Mike Gill
(From Phillies Press Release)

Left-hander Cole Hamels signed a three-year, $20.5 million contract with the Phillies, avoiding his first three years of arbitration, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and Assistant General
Manager Scott Proefrock jointly announced today. The contract runs through the 2011 season.

Hamels, 25, went 14-10 last year with two shutouts and a 3.09 ERA in 33 starts for the Phillies during the regular season and then 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five playoff starts, en route to being named MVP of both the
National League Championship Series and World Series. Combined, Hamels posted an 18-10 record with a 2.92 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .222 average in 262.1 total innings pitched.

“Cole has been an integral part of our club,” said Amaro. “Based on his 2008 and postseason performance, he has established himself as a true number one starter.” Read the rest of this entry »


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Who is Philly’s Most Popular Player?

15 01 2009

Warning: After reading this column you will want to respond. You will not be able to control yourself.

By Joe Mitchell

Someday soon it will be over. The career of Brian Dawkins. Watch closely. Cherish these moments. You will tell your children and grandchildren about him. There will be, and have been, other great running backs, hockey goalies, centerfielders and quarterbacks. We have never seen the like of Dawkins in a Philadelphia uniform.

Dawkins is the perfect Philadelphia athlete. First he plays football. Second he plays defense. Third HE HITS. Fourth, he cares. He gets as depressed as the fans after a loss.

Fifth. He hits. Sixth, he’s basically a little guy. Seventh he hits. Eighth he loves the fans. Ninth he’s been here a long time (this is critical) And, of course, he hits.

You’ll talk for years about his hits on receivers foolish enough to cross the middle. And then you’ll laugh when you talk about the next time the same receiver came across the same area and dropped the pass because he was looking over his shoulder.

So does all that make Dawkins the most popular Eagle or even most popular Philadelphia athlete ever? Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : 76ers, Baseball, Basketball, Eagles, Flyers, Football, Hockey, Phillies

PHILLIES INVITE FOUR MORE PLAYERS TO SPRING TRAINING

15 01 2009
Ozuna speed and experience could help him make the team.

Ozuna speed and experience could help him make the team.

Infielders Anthony Hewitt, Pablo Ozuna and Jorge Velandia and left-hander Jacob Woods signed minor league contracts and were invited to major league spring training, the Phillies announced today.

Hewitt, 19, was the Phillies’ first-round selection in last year’s draft. In 33 games with the rookie-level Gulf Coast Phillies in 2008, Hewitt batted .197 with seven doubles, one home run and nine RBI.

Ozuna split the 2008 season between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting a combined .260 with one home run and nine RBI in 68 games. A member of the 2005 World Champion White Sox, the 34-year-old has a career average of .282 in 309 games for the Florida Marlins (2000, 2002), Colorado Rockies (2003), White Sox (2005-08) and Dodgers (2008).

A native of Venezuela, Velandia split last season between triple-A Syracuse and triple-A Buffalo and batted a combined .233 with three home runs and 20 RBI in 80 games. In seven games with the Cleveland Indians, the 34-year-old hit .375. Velandia has appeared in 174 major league games for the San Diego Padres (1997), Oakland A’s (1998-2000), New York Mets (2000-01, 2003), Tampa Bay Rays (2007) and Indians (2008).

Woods appeared in 15 games for the Seattle Mariners last season, but spent the majority of the year with triple-A Tacoma, where he went 6-1 with one save and a 4.08 ERA in 32 games (two starts). In his major league career, Woods is a combined 8-5 with one save and a 4.60 ERA in 84 games (eight starts) for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2005) and Mariners (2006-08). Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Baseball, Phillies

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