Phillies Hot Stove Update

There are a lot of rumors swirling around the MLB Winter Meetings which are currently being held in Dallas.  Most of the talks surrounding the Phillies are focused on the possible Gio Gonzalez trade, Ryan Madson, and the possible Jimmy Rollins signing.

In regards to the Gio Gonzalez trade,  according to Jim Bowden, a reporter for ESPN, "Phillies and A's discussed a Domonic Brown -for- Gio Gonzalez package deal."

The move would mean the Phillies could then trade Cole Hamels who is is a free agent after next season.  Jim Salisbury of csnphilly.com puts it this way,

"Hamels, who turns 28 this month, is eligible for salary arbitration for the coming season. After that, he will be eligible for free-agency. The Phils would like to sign Hamels to a contract extension, but Gonzalez could be a cheaper, under-control left-handed alternative if the Phillies believe Hamels’ price is too high. The Phils plan to turn their attention to Hamels later this winter, but sources say they’ve already gauged his desires with his representative. It is likely that Hamels would seek a multi-year deal with an average annual value that could approach $20 million."

In my opinion, trading Cole Hamels is in the best interest for the Phillies.  After this season the Phillies will have three pitchers in Halladay, Hamels, and Lee making well over 60 million dollars.  60 million dollars for the starting rotation is not worth it especially given the Phillies recent seasons.  The Phillies had a dominant pitching staff both in 2010 and this past season, and it didn't result in a World Series championship.  Pitching clearly isn't the answer and the Phils need to get back to bolstering up their offense which is what ultimately won them the World Series back in 2008.

In terms of Madson according to Nick Cafardo, a Boston reporter, "Red sox won't give Ryan Madson "crazy money" according to one team official but remain interested."

Madson in affect could end up accepting arbitration from the Phillies in which he could probably make more money.  Madson and Papelbon in the back end of the bullpen sounds pretty good to me.

As for Jimmy, there are conflicting reports out right now.  Ken Rosenthal recently tweeted, "Phillies not close to re-signing Rollins. Still could happen, but not imminent." Meanwhile, Chris Singleton of ESPN tweeted, "Got a pretty encouraging report from a Phillies person that a deal will get done with @JimmyRollins11 soon."

Brewers beat writer Tom Haudricourt supported Singleton's tweet and said, "Brewers hearing that Jimmy Rollins is staying with Phillies, so looks like he’s out as possible SS option.”  Right now we will just have to wait and see how everything shakes out.  But in a nut shell, that is what is currently going on with your Phillies at the MLB Meetings in Dallas.  Stay updated to the blog as we will be sure to bring you any more news that comes out.

Update 3:37 PM:

According to Danny Knobler a writer for cbssports.com, "While Phillies tried for Gio, they're definitely out now. Never planned to trade Hamels. Would have dealt Kendrick or Blanton."

But a conflicting report came out from Ken Rosenthal,"Phillies made early run at Gio, were thwarted. Still persistent, one source says."

While the Phillies could still land Gio Gonzalez it looks as if they are set on keeping Cole Hamels in a Phillies uniform.

The only update from Rollins came from Danny Knobler who tweeted about an hour ago,"Phillies don't have deal with Rollins, but seems everyone expects it eventually."

Rollins is expected to be back in Philadelphia next year, but for how much and how long remains to be seen.