Bat Boy Easily Holds Shane Victorino Back During Argument With Umpire

The first thing I think of when I think of Victorino.

...myself

Ok, the Phillies have more and more players tied up for 2010-2012 (including Halladay), but they still have Werth and Howard coming up for FA after 2010, right?

I ask, because it seems to me that the Phils are trying to ride their current horses as much as they can, but still will have some turnover after this year.....

Werth is a FA after 2010. Howard is a FA after 2011.

They will sign Werth to a deal that is backloaded with most of the money in 2012 and beyond. They will let Howard walk.

Howard is signed through 2011. Werth is the only big name FA for 2010 as I think the Phils already exercised their 2011 option on Rollins.

If Ruben Amaro can get Werth to sign for a 3 year instead of arbitration, I'll be ready to pronounce him king of the negotiators.

EDIT: As hard as it is for a Phillies fan to do, a beverage to Metman.

They are going to have to work in some of the younger guys at some point right? Perhaps they will let Werth walk and bring in D. Brown?

I too suspect that they will let Howard walk (I think it is the correct move) and then move Utley to 1B. He is as good on offense and it will save on his wear and tear.

I think its wise to lock up good young players, but don't you also risk a fair amount of financial and roster flexibility if you overdo it?

I think they let Werth and Howard walk.

I'd move Ibanez to 1B and trade Ryan Howard. Too bad the Mets are probably #1 in the Ryan Howard market. I agree they probably let Werth and Howard walk.

Before the Holliday trade, I thought it would be good for the Phillies to trade Werth for a good starter, and then replace Werth with Taylor.

then move Utley to 1B. He is as good on offense and it will save on his wear and tear.

Isn't Utley the best, or one of the best, defensively at 2B in the league? Wouldn't you lose a lot of value by moving him to 1B?

I'd certainly love to see Howard on the Giants. Any idea what it would take? Would a top of the rotation starter (Cain or Sanchez) and a top prospect get it done?

Appropos of nothing, I sat in front of Ryan Howard at a KU game last week and he is not nearly as large as I thought he would be.

Isn't the problem with signing Ryan Howard the fact that it may take a big deal and he is highly unlikely (lost weight be damned) to be a guy who is worth it deep into his 30's? One a two or three year deal sure I would take Howard, but a 6-7 year deal (which it will probably take) I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole.

Also, if signing Victorino means losing Werth I can't say that I am for it. However, that seems kinda unlikely since Victorino would have been around in 2011 anyway at about 5-8 million or so it probably doesn't matter much for Werth.

he is not nearly as large as I thought he would be.

He lost a lot of weight before last season.

On Phils' payroll -- ouch? With this, they're up to about $135 this year with, by Cots, nearly $130 M already committed for next year plus potential 1st year arbs in Francisco and Kendrick and a 2nd year arb for Ruiz. 2011 increases to Halladay, Blanton and Hamels already eat up the savings if they let Werth walk. That's Cubs-esque payroll management right there.

A ton of money comes off after 2011 though (Howard, Ibanez, Madson and a bunch of small contracts).

They gave Gload a 2-year contract? And Schneider? I know it's not much money but really?