Jimmy Rollins Agrees to Three-Year Deal

The Phillies waited it out and got what they wanted…. Jimmy Rollins agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract with a vesting option for a fourth season.  It appears as if the fourth year is pretty attainable at $11MM, so it’s basically about how healthy he can remain.

As the market crumbled around him Rollins was left without many choices as his 5-year demand was just too high.  In the end I think he made the right choice, and I’m happy that he’ll be back.  With the caliber of the starters that we have, and the questions with the offense, we need solid defense, and that’s exactly what Jimmy provides.

It would have been difficult for us to see Jimmy in another team’s uniform, and thankfully now we won’t have to.  Here’s hoping that Rollins can be a Phillie for life.

A Fan’s Letter to Jimmy Rollins…

Dear Jimmy,

First let me open up by saying that I am extremely grateful for the efforts that you have made in the past to the team that I love, and in the commumity that I live in.  Your charitable efforts have blessed so many children in the community.  From your efforts with Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania, to your involvement in the RBI program.  You have helped so many children in our area and we are forever in your debt.  Thank you.

So let’s get to the reason that I’m writing this letter to you.  Sure, I’m a sports writer, but I’m also a Phillies fan.  I follow you on Twitter, and I’m sure you’re pleased to know we’re friends on Facebook.  I’ve worn your #11 jersey on my back, and I have your bobblehead on my writing desk. You’re my Shortstop.  You’re our Shortstop, and I’d like to keep it that way.

Read the rest here…

 

Be sure to keep up to date with the Phillies this off-season, and follow me on Twitter.

 

Getting a Little Bored?

What have you been upto?  How are you killing time?  Consider a letter to Bud Selig to tell him how much this layoff bites…

Anyway, this has been a bit long.  I think that we’ve beat this conversation into the ground for now, so let’s talk about something else. 

Just for fun on here or on my Facebook tell me about your favorite Phillie moment of the last 3 years. 

Here’s a Youtube clip that makes me smile and will give you a hint of mine….  Enjoy!

Lidge Balks – Phils Win in Extras

The Phillies were talking plenty about getting back to fundamental baseball before Friday night’s game against the San Diego Padres.  A terrible series against the Huston Astros has raised a lot of concern around Charlie Manuel’s club.  They appeared to back up their desire to improve on the mistakes until the 9th inning when Brad Lidge balked in the tying run.  The Phillies made another remarkable comeback with a single by Polanco that allowed Jimmy Rollins to score.

His teammates on the bench were pretty impressed.

“That was one of the most athletic slides I have ever seen.” Lidge said.

Rollins’ slide is being compared to something you would have seen in the Martix. Luis Durango made a strong throw to catcher Yorvit Torrealba, but
Rollins slid wide to avoid the tag and reached back with his left hand
to touch the plate. Umpire James Hoye signaled safe as Rollins popped up
and clapped his hands. 

So what was it that caused the balk?  Brad claimed that as he went into his windup he felt like he was going to drop the ball so he looked down and it caused him to have to stop.

“Basically I had to step off or I would have fallen on my face,” he
said. “It’s kind of hard to explain. It happened pretty quick. Suffice
it say I wasn’t thrilled about that, and probably in a million more
windups, something like that wouldn’t happen. Fortunately, we won the
game.”

I don’t really think that there is too much cause for concern with the offensive performance on Friday night.  Mat Latos is a very good pitcher, and the Phillies hit him just as good as pretty much anybody else.  Howard still looks pretty awful but I’m more then willing to wait it out because I think the price will be worth the reward with this one.  

The Phillies gained a little ground on the Braves as they have been struggling, too. 

Cain Can’t Beat Jimmy

Jimmy Rollins goes one hit short of the cycle in a fantastic win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, Jimmy’s three run jack in the bottom of the 4th was the offensive highlight of the game, however his triple was pretty damn exciting too.  I love watching guys fly around the bases like that.  Jimmy has really turned it on in the last week. Rollins is 5-for-10 with six RBI, three runs scored, and two stolen bases.

Charlie Manuel was asked before the game if Jimmy Rollins, could hit.

“You bet your sweet *** he can hit” Charlie said.  Nice.

The Phillies faced the Giants #2 pitcher that has recently been pitching like a number one, and for the second straight night they waited til the right moment and pounced.  Matt Cain has been more reliable to the Giants in the second half then 2x Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum.  Tonight wasn’t his night though as Cain surrendered 5 runs in six innings. 

Joe Blanton continues to inch closer to form.  It’s unfortunate that it’s basically taken him all season to get where the Phillies wanted.  Besides two big homers Joe was pretty effective, pitching 6 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts.  It was enough to let the lineup do it’s job.

Side Notes –

Ryan Howard – Howard is now eying Monday for his return to the lineup.  I’m glad they’re not rushing him. 

Wild Card – That’s great… We want the Division title.

Hey, YOU friend me on Facebook!
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What Ever Mauer, We Have Power!

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The Phillies are pouring it on.   Joe Blanton threw six strong and effective
innings for the Phils, who have won three straight and four of five after a
5-14 skid dropped them into third place in the NL East. Howard went 4 for 4
with three RBIs and set a career high with four extra-base hits, falling a
single short of the cycle.  Howard
homered twice, doubled and tripled.  Chase Utley also went deep and the
Philadelphia Phillies beat the Minnesota Twins 9-5 on Friday night.  It was awesome to see this kind of return
home after all the pain of the last 3 weeks.

Chase Utley proved us all wrong… He IS fine. Chase had two hits and four RBIs
after denying before the game that he’s injured. First base coach Davey Lopes
had told Baseball Prospectus that Utley “has been hampered by a little bit
of a knee injury.” 

Chase was not happy about that.

Utley admitted he has sporadic pain
in his right knee, but emphasized it’s not serious and isn’t the reason for a dreadful
slump that has plagued him since late April. 
In the third Chase made an outstanding diving play to rob Denard Span of
a hit, and turned a nifty double play after bare handing shortstop Wilson
Valdez’s flip in the sixth. If you saw Chase run after Howard tripled I think you can assume he feels alright.

Utley and Howard went back-to-back
with homers, when just the night before Howard and Werth did the same over the
Yankees.

Scott Mathieson allowed two runs and
recorded two outs in the ninth for Philadelphia in his first appearance in the
majors since 2006. He had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow twice and
missed all of 2007 and 2008.  Today
Mathieson was placed on something that I have never heard of before today
called “Optional
Waivers” meaning that players who are 3-plus years removed from their first
Major League appearance AND still have minor league options fall under this
category.  Huh?  I dunno…

Side
Notes –

Jimmy
– he’s going to play another 9 innings in Clearwater today so he won’t be back
until at least Tuesday… But Valdez is playing great as of late, so take your
time Jimmy… Come back healthy!!!

Happ
– J.A. threw five innings in a rehab start Friday night with Double-A Reading.
He allowed five hits, four runs, three walks and one home run. He struck out
two.

Chooch! – Carlos Ruiz will NOT be put on the disabled list
following his hit to the head in the eighth inning of Friday’s win over
Minnesota. Chooch did not suffer a concussion, but will be out of commission
for at least a few days as he undergoes additional testing.  The Phillies added Dane Sardinha to the
40 man roster, but expect Brian Schnieder to take the workload.

We lost, it sucked.

When it rains, it pours… Yeah, it sure did.  With two outs in the bottom of the first the Braves went up 3-0 off the bat of Troy Glaus.  Then the rain came and forced Charlie Manuel to bench Cole and make the bullpen go the distance….

Alright, I have to say something about that. What a stupid move considering Kyle Kendrick pitches today.  Charlie used all but one pitcher in Tuesdays 7-3 loss.  What the hell is he going to do if Kyle gets blasted?  Ugh.  Thursday, we all get the day off.

Was there a glimmer of hope?  Howard finally homered breaking the team’s drought.

Side Note – Updates and stuff…

Today -Shane Victorino is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Braves. Jayson
Werth will start in center field, while Ben Francisco plays right
field. Greg Dobbs starts at third base while Brian Schneider starts in
place of Carlos Ruiz.

Jimmy – Ruben Amaro Jr. says that he expects Jimmy to stay on the D.L. for an extra week.

Polly – Should return by Friday, then we fire Greg Dobbs.

Happ – Is scheduled to throw Thursday, and if all goes well he could have a rehab assignment in his future in Clearwater.