[Phils20]

Moyer Signs Two-Year Deal
The Phillies have signed Jamie Moyer to a two-year contract extension.
Both years are guaranteed, meaning there is no club option for 2010.
"We're very pleased to have Jamie back," Ruben Amaro Jr. said today. "He's been a valuable piece of the puzzle for us, and obviously gives us some more starting pitching depth. He was a goal for us from the outset."
Moyer will be 48 when his contract expires.
"There's no question it's a concern," Amaro said of Moyer's age. "For us to go two years guaranteed, I think shows our committment to him, but he's probably one of our best conditioned athletes that we have. His dedication to his craft is as high as anybody's on our club. Jamie is going to do what he can to play out this contract and be an effective pitcher for us. We have every reason to believe with the way he works and the way he pitches that he can do just that, play out his contract."
The Phillies see four-fifths of their rotation complete with Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Joe Blanton and Moyer. The fifth spot? I think you'll see quite a battle in spring training. I think you're looking at Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ, Carlos Carrasco, Chan Ho Park and Drew Carpenter competing for that job. Adam Eaton stands almost no chance. The Phillies have been trying to give him away lately, but have found no takers. As far as Park goes, I tend to think Park is entering spring training in a similar position as Chad Durbin last year. I'm sure he's been told he will have a chance to start, but I think you will see him in the bullpen when the season starts.
Here's how I see the pitching staff shaping up entering Opening Day 2009:
Starters: Hamels, Myers, Blanton, Moyer and Kendrick/Happ/Carrasco
Bullpen: Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero, Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre, Clay Condrey and Park.
*
Chase Utley spoke to reporters today and said he expects to be ready to play come Opening Day 2009.
“Rehab is going well,” Utley said. “Things are progressing very well. I don’t expect any setbacks. I feel like I’ll be ready to go, but it’s something I have to be careful of. I want to make sure that we rehab this right. I don’t want to have this problem again. But as of now it’s looking good.”

[njpsufan]

Park is an absolutely horrible pick up. Did no one look at his numbers after he left LA for Texas??? The guy got shelled. For god's sake... the Mutts didn't want this guy in their bullpen!!! And they would take anybody! He will get lit up like a Xmas tree in out park. This was a waste of $2.5M which we could have used elsewhere.

[Full Cougar]

Lets see how Moyer turns out.

[njpsufan]

Moyer is fairly consistent... does that mean I think he wins 16 games again??? no, but figure 12-15 depending on run support. If you can get him the match-ups agst weaker teams he can do well. Keep Hamels, Myers and the others for the tougher teams. I wish they only signed him for 1 yr but I think with what the guy brings to the clubhouse as a mentor to the younger pitchers is priceless. As I said in another post, he just bought a house near Clearwater, FL.... near the Phils complex and home of their GCL team. Don't be surprised when he retires if he goes right to work there as pitching coach for rookie league or the low Class A team. Perfect fit.

[Phils20]

He did sign for 2, but has stated that if he is not up to par, he won't hold the Phils hostage to year 2.

I think it's a good signing. He isn't expected to beat the other teams 1-2 pitchers, so I think he'll have another solid season for the Champs!

[Full Cougar]

I agree, he may be old, but I think he could be as good as some other 3rd or 4th rotations starters.