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On Baseball | Gillick goes to meetings as man on a few missions
By Jim Salisbury
Inquirer Staff Writer
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - Anyone who doubted whether 68-year-old Pat Gillick still had the energy to handle the round-the-clock duties of a major-league general manager should have seen him the last four days.
With a briefcase in his hand, cowboy boots on his feet and a look of purpose on his face, the new Phillies GM was perpetual motion, hustling from one meeting to another in an effort to improve his team.
"I've got to get to a meeting," a hurried Gillick said after stopping briefly to answer reporters' questions during the final day of the annual general managers' meetings yesterday at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort.
Gillick did not reveal much about his four days of meetings, but it was clear that he and his lieutenants were quite busy trying to buff up the team that Gillick thinks needs just five more wins to make the playoffs next season.
According to executives and agents at the meetings, the Phillies proposed at least one significant trade, got some nibbles on first baseman Jim Thome, and touched base with the representative for A.J. Burnett, the top pitcher on the free-agent market.
The Phils also continued to plot their strategy should closer Billy Wagner sign elsewhere. Wagner hits the open market today, and word is that the New York Mets are ready to make a big offer, possibly for as many as four years.
"We come out of here with a lot more information," Gillick said. "Right now, it's like fantasy league. Everybody thinks up possibilities. Things will be more realistic down the road."
Let's take a closer look at some of the Phillies' activities during the meetings:
According to one executive, the Phillies discussed a trade that would have sent rightfielder Bobby Abreu to the Toronto Blue Jays for centerfielder Vernon Wells. The Jays, who are looking for a corner outfielder, turned thumbs down on the proposed deal because Abreu is owed at least $31 million over the next two seasons.
A Wells-for-Abreu deal could still come to fruition if Abreu would waive his no-trade clause and the Phils would eat some of his salary. That deal could help the Phillies on two fronts. It would give them a proven centerfielder and open right field as a possible landing spot for Ryan Howard if they're unable to deal Thome.
Gillick has said that chances of Howard playing outfield are remote, but he has not completely closed the door on the possibility. Should the Phils go the outfield route with Howard, it might make sense to play him in right field because, as first baseman, he is used to seeing the ball come off the hitter's bat from that angle.
Larry Reynolds, Howard's agent, said his client prefers to play first base.
"You never say never," Reynolds said yesterday. "But right now Ryan's focus is playing first base."
The Phils were able to generate some interest in Thome, particularly from the Seattle Mariners, who are looking for a lefthanded power bat. Talks between the two teams appeared to be very preliminary, and it remains to be seen whether Thome, who has a no-trade clause, would accept a deal to Seattle.
A number of teams are looking for a power bat/designated hitter/first baseman, but the market on Thome figures to be slow in developing because there are a number of first basemen available (Paul Konerko is a free agent and Carlos Delgado, Lyle Overbay and Aubrey Huff could be traded) and some teams still want to see whether Thome is healthy in spring training.
In addition to the Mariners, the Orioles, Dodgers, Twins and White Sox all bear watching on the Thome front. The White Sox could go in his direction if they don't re-sign Konerko. Thome is an Illinois native, and people close to him say he would waive his no-trade clause to play in Chicago. The Phils would have to eat some of the remaining $46 million on his contract to move him.
It's clearly not out of the question that the Phils could keep Thome. Gillick said he is not shopping any of his players, and one rival GM said: "They sound like they might keep him." There is a school of thought that says the Phils could deal Abreu or Pat Burrell, and buy time on the Thome-Howard situation by using Howard in the outfield next year.
The Phils spoke to Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker. They could make a play for Burnett, but only if they don't re-sign Wagner, who can begin fielding offers today, and will likely get a significant one from the Mets.
"We have concerns [that Wagner will sign elsewhere], but that's what free agency is all about," Gillick said. "This is Billy's first time out there, and I'm sure he'll enjoy it. Our priority is having him back in Philadelphia."
Gillick is scheduled to meet with Wagner at the pitcher's Virginia home on Wednesday.
By Jim Salisbury
Inquirer Staff Writer
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - Anyone who doubted whether 68-year-old Pat Gillick still had the energy to handle the round-the-clock duties of a major-league general manager should have seen him the last four days.
With a briefcase in his hand, cowboy boots on his feet and a look of purpose on his face, the new Phillies GM was perpetual motion, hustling from one meeting to another in an effort to improve his team.
"I've got to get to a meeting," a hurried Gillick said after stopping briefly to answer reporters' questions during the final day of the annual general managers' meetings yesterday at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort.
Gillick did not reveal much about his four days of meetings, but it was clear that he and his lieutenants were quite busy trying to buff up the team that Gillick thinks needs just five more wins to make the playoffs next season.
According to executives and agents at the meetings, the Phillies proposed at least one significant trade, got some nibbles on first baseman Jim Thome, and touched base with the representative for A.J. Burnett, the top pitcher on the free-agent market.
The Phils also continued to plot their strategy should closer Billy Wagner sign elsewhere. Wagner hits the open market today, and word is that the New York Mets are ready to make a big offer, possibly for as many as four years.
"We come out of here with a lot more information," Gillick said. "Right now, it's like fantasy league. Everybody thinks up possibilities. Things will be more realistic down the road."
Let's take a closer look at some of the Phillies' activities during the meetings:
According to one executive, the Phillies discussed a trade that would have sent rightfielder Bobby Abreu to the Toronto Blue Jays for centerfielder Vernon Wells. The Jays, who are looking for a corner outfielder, turned thumbs down on the proposed deal because Abreu is owed at least $31 million over the next two seasons.
A Wells-for-Abreu deal could still come to fruition if Abreu would waive his no-trade clause and the Phils would eat some of his salary. That deal could help the Phillies on two fronts. It would give them a proven centerfielder and open right field as a possible landing spot for Ryan Howard if they're unable to deal Thome.
Gillick has said that chances of Howard playing outfield are remote, but he has not completely closed the door on the possibility. Should the Phils go the outfield route with Howard, it might make sense to play him in right field because, as first baseman, he is used to seeing the ball come off the hitter's bat from that angle.
Larry Reynolds, Howard's agent, said his client prefers to play first base.
"You never say never," Reynolds said yesterday. "But right now Ryan's focus is playing first base."
The Phils were able to generate some interest in Thome, particularly from the Seattle Mariners, who are looking for a lefthanded power bat. Talks between the two teams appeared to be very preliminary, and it remains to be seen whether Thome, who has a no-trade clause, would accept a deal to Seattle.
A number of teams are looking for a power bat/designated hitter/first baseman, but the market on Thome figures to be slow in developing because there are a number of first basemen available (Paul Konerko is a free agent and Carlos Delgado, Lyle Overbay and Aubrey Huff could be traded) and some teams still want to see whether Thome is healthy in spring training.
In addition to the Mariners, the Orioles, Dodgers, Twins and White Sox all bear watching on the Thome front. The White Sox could go in his direction if they don't re-sign Konerko. Thome is an Illinois native, and people close to him say he would waive his no-trade clause to play in Chicago. The Phils would have to eat some of the remaining $46 million on his contract to move him.
It's clearly not out of the question that the Phils could keep Thome. Gillick said he is not shopping any of his players, and one rival GM said: "They sound like they might keep him." There is a school of thought that says the Phils could deal Abreu or Pat Burrell, and buy time on the Thome-Howard situation by using Howard in the outfield next year.
The Phils spoke to Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker. They could make a play for Burnett, but only if they don't re-sign Wagner, who can begin fielding offers today, and will likely get a significant one from the Mets.
"We have concerns [that Wagner will sign elsewhere], but that's what free agency is all about," Gillick said. "This is Billy's first time out there, and I'm sure he'll enjoy it. Our priority is having him back in Philadelphia."
Gillick is scheduled to meet with Wagner at the pitcher's Virginia home on Wednesday.
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