As spring training approaches in February General Manager Ruben Amaro and his staff are hard at work regarding filling out the bench for the defending champs. The team is top heavy with left handed bench strength as Greg Dobbs, Geoff Jenkins and Matt Stairs all swing from the left side. Eric Bruntlett and either Chris Coste or Ronny Paulino would represent pinch hitting potential from the right side. The team did recently sign Marcus Giles to a minor league deal but he is coming off a year of inactivity.
Rumor has it that the team is at least discussing the possibility of Nomar Garciaparra or Gabe Kapler as potential right hand hitters off the bench. Kapler could also spell either Raul Ibanez or Shane Victorino in the outfield as needed. Garciaparra would have to accept a far more limited role than he has even had in recent years with the Dodgers. Personally I would be pleased with either option and am glad to see the team is working on giving skipper Manual some right handed options to consider.
Chatter
Derek Lowe apparently has met in recent days with the Atlanta Braves who appear to be very interested in his services especially in light of John Smoltz going to the Red Sox, previous reports stated that the Mets were also seeking to sign him. Depending on what you read the Phils are also at least interested in Lowe and monitoring the situation. I would love to see Lowe in the Phillies rotation next year and if they were able to sign him would put them, at least on paper, in clear control of winning their third straight division title! Having him sign with either the Braves or Mets is not a show stopper in that regard but having him with us would be a definite plus!
NFL Chatter
I know this is a baseball blog but being a Philly fan I can’t help but put my two cents in on this weekend’s playoff games. I am strongly rooting for my Eagles to stomp those little Giants from New York! I don’t know why but I have a feeling that the Arizona Cardinals will beat the Carolina Panthers tommorrow night. I also think the Ravens and Steelers come out victorious however I don’t discount those San Diego Chargers to provide a potential upset over those Stillers!
