Ryan Madson & Carlos Ruiz - MyPHL17.com

We are two weeks into 2012, to which I find the new year is already going by way too fast. However, the faster it goes the closer to Spring Training we get.  So gotta take the good with the bad.

Which leads me to the bad.  Ryan Madson signing with the Cincinnati Reds.  I’ve said it before and I will say it again, I hate that the Phillies didn’t re-sign him. And though we got Jonathan Papelbon, I still feel the Phillies dropped the ball on the Madson situation.  Just yesterday I heard rumblings that Madson had no intention of leaving Philly but when negotiations soured and the Phillies went after Papelbon, that all changed…obviously.

Madson agreed to a one-year contract with the Reds. Multiple published reports said the contract was for $8.5 million, while a source told MLB.com he was guaranteed $10 million, which could include a buyout. – Phillies.com

The Phillies released John Bowker so he can pursue a baseball career in Japan. For his sake and Japan’s hope he actually hits.

Spring Training game tickets went on sale yesterday.  Tickets can be purchased at either phillies.com/spring or by calling Phillies Ticket Services 215-463-1000.  Their first exhibition game will be played February 29th at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Florida.  Below is the Phillies’ Spring Training home game schedule:

Phillies.com

And according to Philly.com, GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. has little interest in acquiring Chicago Cub pitcher Kerry Wood.  Which contradicts previous reports stating he was.

Before getting to the bullpen, Amaro envisions Vance Worley and Joe Blanton’s occupying the two starting spots behind the big three of Roy Halladay, Lee, and Cole Hamels. He said that Kyle Kendrick could be a swing-type pitcher who can start if someone is injured. (On that note, Amaro said he is pleased with Blanton’s progress from right-elbow problems last season.) – Philly.com

The current bullpen consists of Michael Stutes, David Herndon, Jose Contreras, Kendrick, and Papelbon.  If Amaro adds to it, he will more than likely look into minor league guys and deals.

Amaro listed other candidates, including righthanders Brian Sanches, Justin De Fratus, Phillippe Aumont, and Michael Schwimer; and lefties Jake Diekman and Joe Savery. In this group, all but Sanches have little to no major-league experience. The 33-year-old Sanches was 4-1 with a 3.94 ERA in 39 appearances for the Florida – now Miami – Marlins last season.

“We expect them all to be vying for spots,” Amaro said. “It’s all about competition.” – Philly.com

Have a great weekend everyone!

Image Source:  MyPHL17.com

Heather Carnassale is the Senior Phillies Writer for Aerys Sports. You can email her at viewfromsection116@gmail.com, or follow her on twitter @heatherc531 and @viewfromsec116.

Brad Lidge - MyPHL17.com

Yesterday at Citizens Bank Park, the dismantling of the Winter Classic ice rink began.  And after an Alumni game, the Classic game, an AHL Phantoms game, and a pubic skate, the ballpark says goodbye to ice hockey.

Now its time to get back to baseball.

So what’s happening with Brad Lidge?  Well…not too much.

He’s yet to find another team but unlike Ryan Madson who might have possibly burned that Phillies bridge, Lidge could be back.

Last year before heading into Spring Training, Lidge was the Phillies closer but injuries to his shoulder and knee kept him away from the team for half of the 2011 season.  He also lost a decent amount of speed off his once dominating fastball.  Which according to Phillies.com, might be the real reason teams are reluctant to sign Lidge, even for only one year.

By the time Lidge was activated from the DL last season, Ryan Madson had established himself as manager Charlie Manuel’s go-to guy in save situations. Lidge understood the situation and accepted it without complaint. He would still like to close, however, but realizes he may not have the opportunity to open the 2012 season in that role, as there are still free-agent closers available, including Madson. – Phillies.com

Lidge works out everyday and remains positive.  But if no other team wants him, there’s always that chance the Phillies could re-sign him as a possible set-up man.  Though they are looking at Kerry Wood, emphasis on looking.  Nothing has been done and Wood could still re-sign with the Cubs.  And with Jose Contreras on the mend, until they see what he’s capable and not capable of doing this season, having a guy like Lidge could be a good thing.

Its a bunch of what-ifs!

And speaking of what-ifs, yesterday after I tweeted out the Kerry Wood story, @View From Section 116 got a tweet back:

1/9/12 tweet

Which that tweet sparked a good point. My response was:  Ain’t that the truth, to which Aerys Sports Philadelphia Eagles writer Sports Muse stated she was going to say the same as me (great minds think alike).  And then View’s writer Karilee Jeantet tweeted that in regards to hitting, she has been saying that the entire off-season.

1/9/12 tweet

So the issue really isn’t the bullpen its the hitting or lack thereof.

But as of right now, the Phillies higher-ups seem perfectly content on the projected 2012 batting line-up. I guess the only thing we Phillies fans can do is keep the fingers crossed and hope for the best!

Any suggestions on what the Phillies could or should do?

Image source:  MyPHL17.com

Kerry Wood - Wikimedia.org

According to CSNPhilly.com, the Phillies are showing interest in Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood, who supposedly wasn’t planning on going anywhere, but now has been talking to other teams.

Wood, 34, had an ERA of 3.35 last season, with a 1.29 WHIP in 51 innings for the Cubs. He initially accepted a one-year, $1.5 million contract from the Cubs, but things have apparently somewhat deteriorated on that front. – CSNPhilly.com

The Phillies are planning on using Jose Contreras as their setup man but that all depends on his recovery/rehab after elbow surgery.

Ironically, Phillies 2011 closer Ryan Madson has yet sign with any team and from all accounts, hardly if any are interested.  There was talk about the Anaheim Angels showing interest but that didn’t come to fruition.  So Madson who could have stayed on with the Phillies (as the set up guy), declined arbitration, therefore nixing that idea.

Madson declined arbitration from the Phillies. Had he accepted, he would have been retained on a 1-year contract and have set up new closer Jonathan Papelbon next season and hit the free-agent market. Animosity exists between the Phillies and Madson’s agent, Scott Boras, who was unhappy with the way negotiations were conducted before the Phillies signed Papelbon. – Philly.com

As with all things Phillies-related, guess we will have to wait and see what happens. 

For more information on the Chicago Cubs, check out Aerys Sports:  A League Of Her Own.

Image source:  Commons.Wikimedia.org