GaryMrMets
08-01-2004, 08:01 PM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s073104d.htm
Phillies pull trigger, deal for relievers
Saturday, July 31, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
CHICAGO
A certain saying has been heard often this week pertaining to a certain Democratic presidential candidate. Today, the Phillies have reason to be uttering the same words in support of their own postseason campaign: "Help is on the way."
Phillies General Manager Ed Wade took a step toward making John Kerry's campaign slogan appropriate Friday night, acquiring right-handed relievers Felix Rodriguez and Todd Jones in separate deals.
Rodriguez was obtained from San Francisco for outfielder Ricky Ledee and minor-league pitcher Alfredo Simon, while Jones and minor-league outfielder Brad Correll were traded from Cincinnati in exchange for right-hander Josh Hancock and minor-league infielder Anderson Machado.
Rodriguez, 31, has a 3.43 ERA and has held opponents to a .250 batting average in 53 appearances this season. Jones, 36, was 8-2 with a 3.79 ERA in 51 games for the Reds. They join a Phillies bullpen in dire need of help, with two key members - Billy Wagner and Ryan Madson - on the disabled list.
"We've been trying to improve our pitching, particularly in our bullpen," Wade said in announcing the Rodriguez deal. "We think this is a significant addition."
But they had to give up Ledee, who was batting .285 with seven home runs and had received more significant playing time in the last month after Marlon Byrd was sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre June 20. Byrd, who hit .255 with one home run for the Red Barons, was recalled Friday night and will join the team in Chicago today.
The Phillies are adding salary in this deal, as Rodriguez is making $3.05 million this year, compared to Ledee's $1.225 million. But the Phillies are also shopping second baseman Placido Polanco ($3.95 million) and could move him by today's 4 p.m. non-waiver trading deadline.
Rodriguez's contract contains an option for 2005 that can be vested at $3.15 million. Jones has a one-year deal worth $425,000.
Meanwhile, the Phillies' divisional rivals got serious on Friday. The New York Mets acquired pitchers Kris Benson and Victor Zambrano in separate deals, while Florida received catcher Paul Lo Duca as part of a six-player trade with Los Angeles.
Wade said he made runs at both Benson and Zambrano, to no avail. All indications are that the Phillies continue to back away from any proposals that involve one of four "untouchable" players - infielder Chase Utley, reliever Madson and minor-league pitchers Gavin Floyd and Cole Hamels.
Wagner goes on DL: The Phillies placed Wagner on the 15-day DL Friday after he was diagnosed with a strained muscle in his left shoulder on Thursday. Right-hander Amaury Telemaco was activated from the DL to take his place.
An MRI exam taken by team doctor Michael Ciccotti revealed no structural damage, but Wagner will be shut down until the Phillies' road trip ends Aug. 9. It's Wagner's second DL stint this season - he spent four weeks on it in May and June for a strained groin.
After throwing for consecutive days earlier this week in Florida, Wagner said, "I was so aching and miserable that I felt I had to get it checked out. . . .
"We thought it would be best to get the MRI so that we knew what we're dealing with. I just wanted to be sure."
Because Wagner returned to Philadelphia, he missed the eventful final two days in Florida - the fallout from comments by fellow reliever Rheal Cormier regarding the atmosphere in the clubhouse and the team meeting Thursday that followed the Marlins' sweep.
Wagner still had an opinion to share Friday.
"I think we've got too many sensitive people on this team, both coaches and players," he said.
"We've got too good of a team. We need to just relax and play."
He also dismissed the notion that manager Larry Bowa, whose job status has been called into question, is the reason for the team's recent poor performance. "Bo can't (mess) up a team this good," he said.
Phillies fodder
Right-hander Vicente Padilla (biceps tendinitis) will continue his rehab assignment today with Scranton, pitching three innings or 45 pitches. His scheduled start Thursday was scratched after the Red Barons endured a rain delay following his warmup. Padilla could return as soon as Aug. 10. . . . Floyd will be promoted to Scranton today and pitch on Tuesday. The right-hander went 6-6 with a 2.57 ERA in 20 starts for Class-AA Reading. First baseman Ryan Howard was also promoted after setting the Reading home-run record earlier this month. . . .
It was business as usual at Wrigley Field Friday morning after City of Chicago inspectors declared satisfactory the installation of netting to protect fans from falling chunks of concrete.
Phillies pull trigger, deal for relievers
Saturday, July 31, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
CHICAGO
A certain saying has been heard often this week pertaining to a certain Democratic presidential candidate. Today, the Phillies have reason to be uttering the same words in support of their own postseason campaign: "Help is on the way."
Phillies General Manager Ed Wade took a step toward making John Kerry's campaign slogan appropriate Friday night, acquiring right-handed relievers Felix Rodriguez and Todd Jones in separate deals.
Rodriguez was obtained from San Francisco for outfielder Ricky Ledee and minor-league pitcher Alfredo Simon, while Jones and minor-league outfielder Brad Correll were traded from Cincinnati in exchange for right-hander Josh Hancock and minor-league infielder Anderson Machado.
Rodriguez, 31, has a 3.43 ERA and has held opponents to a .250 batting average in 53 appearances this season. Jones, 36, was 8-2 with a 3.79 ERA in 51 games for the Reds. They join a Phillies bullpen in dire need of help, with two key members - Billy Wagner and Ryan Madson - on the disabled list.
"We've been trying to improve our pitching, particularly in our bullpen," Wade said in announcing the Rodriguez deal. "We think this is a significant addition."
But they had to give up Ledee, who was batting .285 with seven home runs and had received more significant playing time in the last month after Marlon Byrd was sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre June 20. Byrd, who hit .255 with one home run for the Red Barons, was recalled Friday night and will join the team in Chicago today.
The Phillies are adding salary in this deal, as Rodriguez is making $3.05 million this year, compared to Ledee's $1.225 million. But the Phillies are also shopping second baseman Placido Polanco ($3.95 million) and could move him by today's 4 p.m. non-waiver trading deadline.
Rodriguez's contract contains an option for 2005 that can be vested at $3.15 million. Jones has a one-year deal worth $425,000.
Meanwhile, the Phillies' divisional rivals got serious on Friday. The New York Mets acquired pitchers Kris Benson and Victor Zambrano in separate deals, while Florida received catcher Paul Lo Duca as part of a six-player trade with Los Angeles.
Wade said he made runs at both Benson and Zambrano, to no avail. All indications are that the Phillies continue to back away from any proposals that involve one of four "untouchable" players - infielder Chase Utley, reliever Madson and minor-league pitchers Gavin Floyd and Cole Hamels.
Wagner goes on DL: The Phillies placed Wagner on the 15-day DL Friday after he was diagnosed with a strained muscle in his left shoulder on Thursday. Right-hander Amaury Telemaco was activated from the DL to take his place.
An MRI exam taken by team doctor Michael Ciccotti revealed no structural damage, but Wagner will be shut down until the Phillies' road trip ends Aug. 9. It's Wagner's second DL stint this season - he spent four weeks on it in May and June for a strained groin.
After throwing for consecutive days earlier this week in Florida, Wagner said, "I was so aching and miserable that I felt I had to get it checked out. . . .
"We thought it would be best to get the MRI so that we knew what we're dealing with. I just wanted to be sure."
Because Wagner returned to Philadelphia, he missed the eventful final two days in Florida - the fallout from comments by fellow reliever Rheal Cormier regarding the atmosphere in the clubhouse and the team meeting Thursday that followed the Marlins' sweep.
Wagner still had an opinion to share Friday.
"I think we've got too many sensitive people on this team, both coaches and players," he said.
"We've got too good of a team. We need to just relax and play."
He also dismissed the notion that manager Larry Bowa, whose job status has been called into question, is the reason for the team's recent poor performance. "Bo can't (mess) up a team this good," he said.
Phillies fodder
Right-hander Vicente Padilla (biceps tendinitis) will continue his rehab assignment today with Scranton, pitching three innings or 45 pitches. His scheduled start Thursday was scratched after the Red Barons endured a rain delay following his warmup. Padilla could return as soon as Aug. 10. . . . Floyd will be promoted to Scranton today and pitch on Tuesday. The right-hander went 6-6 with a 2.57 ERA in 20 starts for Class-AA Reading. First baseman Ryan Howard was also promoted after setting the Reading home-run record earlier this month. . . .
It was business as usual at Wrigley Field Friday morning after City of Chicago inspectors declared satisfactory the installation of netting to protect fans from falling chunks of concrete.