As spring training approaches GM Ruben Amaro and staff are still in search of a right handed bat off the bench for skipper Charlie Manuel.   Rumblings are that Nomar Garciaparra is still the primary target but Nomar is uncertain that he is in physical shape to warrant a position.  He must decide whether he will retire or attempt to play another year.  Rich Aurillia is also an apparent option that the club is considering.  If neither of those two are signed then perhaps Marcus Giles or Jason Donald might earn the spot.   In any regards adding a right hand bat would mean that either Geoff Jenkins or Matt Stairs would be dispositioned from a roster spot, rumors are that the team has marketed Jenkins but has found no takers due to the size of his contract.  Worst case scenario is not so bad in that the Phillies bench might just have three lefties, Jenkins, Stairs and Greg Dobbs.  All are proven hitters so it may work out in that regard.

Notes

My book ” The 2008 Philadelphia Phillies – A Poetic Season” has been purchased by the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs for sale in the stadium store!  Bravo to the Iron Pigs merchandise staff for giving me a shot!  The book is also available locally in the Philly area at Chester County Bookstore in West Goshen Shopping Center , Kennett Bookstore in Kennett, Brothers Pizza in West Chester, Caln Pizza in Thorndale, Giordanno’s Sports Bar in Kennett Square, Neumann College Bookstore in Aston  and soon in three Big League Haircuts establishments in West Goshen, Exton and Drexel Hill!    Please patronize these fine businesses!

I will be doing a book signing at the Kennett Bookstore on April 4th from 11 to 3, if in the area please stop in and lets talk baseball!

With 24 games remaining on the schedule and trailing by two games in the Division race one could surmise that every game is a “must win”!   That being said the Fightins sent their ace Cole Hamels to the hill to attempt halting the Nationals seven game winning streak and win this one for the Phils.

The Phillies drew first blood as consecutive singles by Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley plated two runs in the third inning.  The inning ended however on a sad note as National catcher Jesus Flores was carted off the field on a stretcher after a bang bang play resulted in a collision between him and Utley. Utley had broken for the plate on a pickoff attempt at first base and was attempting to jar the ball loose from Flores as Nat first basemen Ron Belliard’s throw beat him by plenty at the plate.  It appeared Flores suffered an injury to his ankle.

Pedro Feliz and Carlos Ruiz led off the Phillie seventh with singles, both were sacrificed to scoring position by Cole Hamels.   Jimmy Rollins plated Feliz with a single to right field and Ruiz scored on a groundout by Chase Utley to make the score 4 to 0. 

Cole Hamels pitched 7 and 1/3 innings, once again a quality start.  He ran out of gas in the eighth inning as Washington put two runners on with a walk and a single.  Charlie went to his pen and brought in J.C. Romero.  Romero struck out left handed hitter Willie Harris and then Manuel called in Chad Durbin.  Durbin did his job in the inning as well as he got Ryan ZImmerman to ground out to short and end the inning.  Brad Lidge pitched the ninth inning to close the game.

Chatter

Three additional roster additions were made as Mike Cervenak, Andy Tracy and Les Walrond were all recalled from Triple A Lehigh Valley.  All three have been on the roster for various stints this season.  Jason Donald from Double A Reading is also likely to be recalled as well as soon as the Reading season concludes.   The extra players give skipper Manuel more flexibility with his bench and bullpen.   Chase Utley was visibly upset when Flores was carted off, Utley plays as hard as any player in the bigs but he is not dirty nor does he want to hurt anyone.  His only play to be safe at the plate was to jar the ball loose and he made the right play…………. hope that Flores is ok.  National fans booed Utley in his plate appearances after the play, no class, no clue.

Question

How big do you believe it is that Cole Hamels takes the ball Sunday against New York rather than get an extra day off between starts and face Florida on Monday ?   Pitching on Sunday would give Hamels four days rest and would be his regular rest, Kyle Kendrick would get skipped over to accomplish this.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and mlbtraderumors.com both have rumblings of the Phillies being interested in outfielder Mark Kotsay of the Braves.  Atlanta has put Kotsay on waivers and will listen to offers.  Kotsay is a free agent next year so there is no obligation to a contract beyond this season.  He is a very good left handed bat and has been hot lately.  Speculation is that the Phillies could use him to replace injured Geoff Jenkins on the roster.  The Red Sox also are apparently very interested in Kotsay as J.D. Drew may be going on the disabled list soon.

Colorado has placed relief pitcher Brian Fuentes on waivers with the same concept in mind.  Fuentes is a free agent for the 2009 season and the Rockies are willing to deal him now but since he is a Type A free agent they would want value higher than the two first round draft picks they will get in return if they keep him for the balance of the season but then lose him to free agency over the winter.  Some team will most likely claim Fuentes to at a minimum block others from geting him.  The Mets would look awfully tough if they were able to obtain him at this point. 

In order for a player to be eligible for the post season he must be on the roster prior to August 31 so Sunday is another cutoff day if contenders want to add punch to the playoff roster. 

Kotsay might be had for a mid level type prospect but obviously Atlanta will hold out for the best deal, not sure if the Phils would dangle Olympian Jason Donald at the Braves but he might be a fit for them at second base next season as Kelly Johnson has been a disapointment at that position for them this year.