The Phillies Mailbag For The 2005 Offseason

[GaryMrMets]

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01/03/2006 10:00 AM ET
Mailbag: Will Burrell see time at first?
Beat reporter Ken Mandel answers Phillies fans' questions
By*Ken Mandel*/*MLB.com

Happy New Year, everyone. The mailbag was full of good questions from over the holidays, so let's delve in.

Will the Phillies consider using Pat Burrell as a spot starter at first base against lefties? This would get Jason Michaels a few more starts in the outfield. I don't see any other legit first-base option who could provide a power bat off the bench.
-- Jason L., Shoemakersville, Pa.

The offseason is the time for considering all possibilities, and playing Burrell at first base is one of many options being bounced around by manager Charlie Manuel. As you said, this would provide Michaels more at-bats in left field, and help Ryan Howard's transition to becoming an everyday first baseman.

Burrell's time at first would probably decrease as Howard improves against southpaws, and the experiment will likely begin in Spring Training. Burrell playing first is a much more realistic scenario than him playing third, as many other e-mails have suggested.

Where does Gavin Floyd fit into the big-league rotation? When will be his time to shine?
-- Dave K., Mesa, Ariz.

The Phillies are hoping for 2006, and they plan to give Floyd the chance to secure the fifth spot in the starting rotation. An injury to Vicente Padilla earned Floyd a few starts at the beginning of last season, but he struggled after a successful debut in 2004.

The young right-hander thinks he's rediscovered the pitching mechanics and moxie that made him a top prospect, and he's pitched well in Puerto Rico this winter. General manager Pat Gillick hasn't found an established starter over the winter, so Floyd may fill the void. While some in the organization were discouraged by his 2005 regression, others feel it was a necessary step in his development. Ultimately, Floyd will provide the answer in Spring Training.

What is Aaron Fultz's current status? He did a heck of a job last year as a reliever. Could he be a starter this year? Would the Phillies consider trading him, and if so, who would want him?
-- Danielle G., Philadelphia

Fultz's return in 2006 was never in question, though the reliever avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a contract last month. His streak of 348 Major League appearances without a start will continue, as he's found a niche as a situational lefty reliever. That said, Fultz pitched so well last season that he might find himself in a higher-profile role -- possibly as an option in the eighth inning -- especially with Ryan Madson heading to the rotation and the uncertainty regarding Rheal Cormier's return to effectiveness.

I heard catcher Bengie Molina is still available. Why aren't the Phillies looking his way, as he would be an upgrade from the aging Mike Lieberthal? Also, would Jeff Weaver be an option? He would add some depth to the rotation.
-- S.M., Philadelphia

Trading or releasing Lieberthal is the most popular mailbag request for the 2006 season (just ahead of shedding David Bell), but it doesn't look like it will happen. Lieberthal is owed $7.5 million in the final year of his contract. Teams aren't willing to absorb that salary, and the Phillies aren't willing to pay a portion of it to deal him.

This is why Molina won't be a Phillie, though his contract demands were likely to be prohibitive, anyway. As for Weaver, agent Scott Boras is said to be seeking at least $10 million a year for a minimum of four seasons. The Phillies likely wouldn't be willing to make an offer in that range.

I heard that the White Sox were dangling Jose Contreras for Bobby Abreu. Is there any way this might happen?
-- Joey P., Chicago

The World Series champions appear to have an abundance of pitching, especially after trading for Javier Vazquez and then locking up Jon Garland. Plus, there is talk of them wanting to open a spot for Brandon McCarthy, increasing the possibility of someone being dealt.

Contreras had a wonderful season for the White Sox and could be a nice fit in the Phils' rotation, though there might not be enough of a match for a second blockbuster deal between these teams. Chicago's overload of outfielders made Aaron Rowand expendable, so it's unlikely the White Sox would deal for an outfielder.

How realistic is Chris Booker's chance of making the team as a Rule 5 Draft pick? He got hit hard in his brief stint in Cincinnati last year, but he brings the heat to the tune of 97-100 mph.
-- Brad S., Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.

Booker's chances are pretty good at this point. The Phillies haven't had much luck improving the bullpen this winter and plan to give Booker a serious look in Spring Training. The right-hander will have to make the Major League team or be offered back to Cincinnati for $25,000.

Booker throws hard, and he may have revived his career by mastering a split-finger fastball while at Triple-A Louisville in 2005. That pitch helped him record 91 strikeouts in 65 innings. If he makes the club, he could fill a seventh-inning role.

Ken Mandel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Penciling in Pat Burrell (shown) at first base against lefties would provide more playing time to outfielder Jason Michaels.*(George Widman/AP)

[GaryMrMets]

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01/09/2006 10:00 AM ET
Mailbag: How will Franklin do?
Beat reporter Ken Mandel answers Phillies fans' questions
By*Ken Mandel*/*MLB.com

Questions regarding the Phillies' latest acquisition, Ryan Franklin, dominated this week's mailbag, whether they were about the signing itself, or what it means for players like Ryan Madson.

I've answered as many as I could.

With the addition of Franklin to the rotation, is there any concern -- or should there be -- that four of the five starters are righties? Would this mean that Madson will spend another season in the 'pen, allowing lefty Eude Brito to assume the fifth spot, or is having five right-handed starters OK?
-- Rob M., State College, Pa.

The rotation is what it is. General manager Pat Gillick said he would have liked to add a southpaw to the rotation, but a match wasn't found. Managers often prefer to have one lefty to give teams a different look, but they really just want five guys who get outs. The presence of four righties won't have any bearing on Madson's or Brito's chances of making the rotation. Madson will slide into the role that best helps the team.

He'll be a starter if the Phillies add a setup man, and a setup man if the Phillies add a starter or an early-inning reliever. As for Brito, his chances of making the team aren't great at this point.

Exactly what did we gain by giving away Vicente Padilla and signing Franklin? Franklin is older, has a similar ERA and is making the money Padilla would have made. Am I missing something?
-- Joe B., Aston, Pa.

If anything, it's the fact that the Phillies reached the point of no return with Padilla and believed he was better off with another organization. In Texas, Philadelphia found a team willing to try to get through to a pitcher who at times was unwilling to listen to coaches and couldn't establish any consistency. We see change-of-scenery trades made all the time, and this was simply another one. The same can be said for Franklin, who is trying to forget two rough seasons and a 10-day suspension for violating Major League Baseball's steroid policy.

Gillick likes Franklin's ability, and the GM hopes the righty still has something left. By this winter's standards, $2.6 million isn't much for a guy who might have something to prove. On paper, it's a definite risk, but Franklin has a better chance to succeed in Philadelphia than Padilla. I'm not saying he will -- and his numbers are what they are -- I'm just saying he has a better chance.

Who do you think will be Opening Day starter? I vote for Brett Myers.
-- Martin B., Vineland, N.J.

Despite Myers' coming-out party last season, my guess is that Jon Lieber will make his seventh career Opening Day start. The veteran is the ace of the staff and won 17 games in his first season in Philadelphia. Manager Charlie Manuel also likes the idea of splitting up Lieber and Cory Lidle, who are similar pitchers. That's where Myers comes in. The 25-year-old will get plenty of Opening Day starts before his career ends, and will lead many staffs.

Bobby Abreu is my favorite baseball player. The Phillies won't trade him, will they?
-- Billy C., Harleysville, Pa.

It doesn't look that way right now, despite his name showing up many times in trade rumors. Just last week, he was linked to a deal with Baltimore that would have landed Miguel Tejada to play third base.

Here's what amazes me about Abreu and his time in Philadelphia: Fans look at him and see two completely different players, with no in-between. He's either a franchise player who's been a consistent offensive performer for the past eight seasons, or an outfielder who hasn't realized his true ability. He either doesn't care at all, or is so good that he makes it look so easy and, as a result, it looks like he doesn't care. Fan reaction would likely be split down the middle if he were dealt, regardless of the return. I'm of the opinion that Abreu is going to continue to be underappreciated until he retires, and that will be his legacy.

Year after year, we hear about "can't miss" prospect pitchers like Gavin Floyd, Cole Hamels, Brandon Duckworth, etc. Do the Phillies have any others we don't know about yet, and why do I see other teams have phenoms like Mark Prior start in the Majors when they are 21 instead of 25 or 26, like most Phillies prospects?
-- Jonathan A., Bensalem, Pa.

The Phillies like Scott Mathieson, who made some nice strides with Class A Clearwater in 2005. They're also thrilled with Daniel Haigwood and Gio Gonzalez, the two pitchers acquired in the Jim Thome trade. It's important to not get hung up on age and focus on bringing a player along at his own pace. Assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle is a proponent of keeping guys at a level for a full season, rather than rushing them along.

Naturally, there are always exceptions, and Hamels would have been one of them. Phenom pitchers like Prior don't come around often, so when they do, it's hard not to notice. Keep this in mind: In the 10th start of Prior's rookie season in 2002 (at age 21), he opposed a young phenom named Myers, who was one month shy of his 22nd birthday. Myers only needed half a year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to show he was ready. Floyd also arrived in the big leagues at 21 as a September callup, and struggled through 2005. Hamels would probably already be with the Phillies if not for persistent injuries. It's up to the organization when a player is ready.

What's the latest on Randy Wolf? How's his recovery going, and when does he plan on returning to the mound?
-- Doug F., Berwyn, Pa.

Wolf has started some light throwing and is still on schedule for a late July return. The Phillies won't rush him.

Ken Mandel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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By current standards, $2.6 million isn't much for a guy like Ryan Franklin, who might have something to prove.*(Duane Burleson/AP)

[GaryMrMets]

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01/16/2006 10:00 AM ET
Mailbag: How will Abreu respond?
Beat reporter Ken Mandel answers fans' burning questions
By*Ken Mandel*/*MLB.com

Obviously, the Phillies have been attempting to trade Bobby Abreu. If they are unable to, which looks probable, will Abreu's performance suffer because he's upset with the Phillies, who don't appear to want him?
-- Tommy S., Allentown, Pa.

Abreu won't suffer because he's hurt that the Phillies offered him around. As fans have known for years, Abreu's greatest asset -- or shortcoming -- is that he shows zero emotion when he plays, and puts up consistent offensive numbers every year. He'll do that again, assuming he's recovered from the injuries that led to his September swoon. A .295 career hitter in September, Abreu batted .243 after Sept. 1 last season while battling shoulder and leg injuries. The issue here won't be his pride but his age. He'll be 32 when the season starts, and the right fielder has played at least 151 games a year since 1998. The possibility that he could be at the beginning of a gradual decline has to at least be considered.

That's only part of the reason he may have been shopped. Simply put, he's the team's most tradeable commodity. Whenever teams came asking about the Phillies' surplus of outfielders, Abreu's name usually came up first, and Philadelphia followed by asking for premium pitching in return. As recently as last week, general manager Pat Gillick said that he was close to a deal for a significant starter, but it fell apart. The rumor is that Abreu was involved. A deal may still be struck before the trading deadline at the end of July.

This much is certain: Abreu is the least likely player on the Phillies to have his feelings hurt by trade rumors. He'll be happy playing baseball in general, and he also has the security of a no-trade clause, which allows him the right to refuse any deal.

When do you think Brett Myers will become the ace of the staff, and what current pitcher do you think Myers draws comparisons to right now to?
-- Joe K., Philadelphia

Myers is very close to becoming the ace of the staff, even if he's still technically the team's No. 2 pitcher. He and Jon Lieber had their share of big games, and each compiled nine of their wins after Phillies losses. Obviously, that's a much higher percentage for Myers -- who had four fewer victories -- but he wasn't consistent enough to be considered an ace. Neither was Lieber, but that's beside the point. The hope is that Myers will take another gigantic step toward improving his consistency and put together an entire season like his first half of 2005. He thinks he can, and many in the organization agree.

As for the second part of your question, Myers has always been likened to his idol, Curt Schilling, but that's the best comparison. One Web site, www.baseballreference.com, lists Minnesota's Brad Radke, Chicago's Javier Vazquez and San Diego's Jake Peavy (my personal favorite) as similar pitchers based on age comparisons. Not too shabby.

Though I've heard many within the organization tout Jason Jaramillo as the "catcher of the future," he likely won't reach the Major Leagues by the time Mike Lieberthal may depart after the season. And with the slow progression favored by assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle, Jaramillo might not be in the Majors when he's 25. Who can we expect to fill the void? Carlos Ruiz?
-- Andy W., Ardmore, Pa.

Jaramillo batted .304 with eight homers in 119 games for Class A Lakewood, and might start this season as high as Double-A Reading. Another solid season could earn him a midseason promotion to Triple-A, though that's getting a little ahead of ourselves. You must factor in the possibility of a regression or injury. That said, Ruiz is quietly being talked about as a potential Major League backup catcher of the future, though he hit better than the Phillies expected last season with the Red Barons.

Assuming Lieberthal isn't signed to a one-year deal -- which is highly unlikely -- the Phillies would probably look in the direction of one- or two-year fix. Jaramillo has the best chance of being the guy for the Phillies down the road, and it could still happen. Always on the lookout for catching, Philadelphia might also see what's available in June's First-Year Player Draft.

Are the Phillies content with David Bell at third, or are they actively seeking a new third baseman?
-- Bill S., Manheim, Pa.

Content or not, he's the third baseman. He was rumored to be heading to Pittsburgh or Los Angeles this offseason, but those teams signed Joe Randa and Bill Mueller, respectively. Bell had been talked about as a possible fit in Kansas City, where he could play for his father and offer veteran leadership, but that doesn't appear likely. The biggest issue is his $4.5 million salary. If the Phillies aren't willing to pay a significant portion of that salary to facilitate a deal, Bell isn't going anywhere.

When Billy Wagner comes to town as a Met, do you think he'll be booed or get an ovation?
-- Matt H., Langhorne, Pa.

Come on, Matt, you know the answer to that one. He'll be treated warmly while sitting in the bullpen at Citizens Bank Park, as fans politely ask about how his family is enjoying life in the big city.

Wagner is the enemy now, and will be "welcomed" accordingly. Keep this in mind, too: If Wagner's warming up, the Phillies are either losing or tied, so that won't be a good thing, either.

Ken Mandel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Bobby Abreu batted .243 after Sept. 1 last season while battling injuries. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)