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• Amaro: Goal is still to sign Hamels

  July 02, 2012 by KenRosenthal

  Sources said Sunday that the Philadelphia Phillies were calling teams on left-hander Cole Hamels, informing them that he could be available at a steep price in trade.

  “Our goal is the same as it has been from the beginning,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Monday, “to sign him and keep him long term in a Phillies uniform.”

  Hamels, who was named to his third All-Star team Sunday, can become a free agent at the end of the season. The last substantive talks between the sides were during spring training.

  Amaro mentioned the possibility that the Phillies could be a “seller” earlier in the season and first floated Hamels’ name to other clubs then.

  Asked about reports of renewed trade discussions concerning Hamels, Amaro neither confirmed nor denied that they are taking place.

  “I do not ever discuss the information that is out there, nor those rumors or speculations.

  “This is the time of year where things will be out there. It is the nature of our sport and a product of the time of year.”

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• Phillies updates: Howard, Thome, Madson/Papelbon

  January 13, 2012 by JonPaulMorosi

  Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. addressed a number of topics surrounding his team in a conversation with FOXSports.com this week.

  * Amaro said he remains open to upgrading the pitching staff, if he can add rotation depth or a left-handed reliever at reasonable costs. The Phillies also would like to add more speed to their bench.

  * Amaro said it will be “great” if first baseman Ryan Howard is able to return to the team in May after undergoing surgery for a ruptured left Achilles. Amaro said Howard was recently cleared to resume strength-building exercises and some weight-bearing activities. “We’re still being very cautious with him,” Amaro said.

  In the meantime, Amaro is content with the internal options to fill in for Howard: John Mayberry Jr., Ty Wigginton, Laynce Nix, and Jim Thome. “We’re covered,” Amaro said.

  * Amaro is very satisfied with reports on Thome, as he prepares to play in the field on a limited basis. Thome, 41, has played just four games at first base since 2005 – and none since 2007. “Our medical people are surprised at the shape he’s in,” Amaro said. “They think he might be better now than he was when we first signed him in 2002.” Amaro said it’s conceivable that Thome could play first base as often as four or five times per month.

  * Based on what former Philadelphia closer Ryan Madson received from the Reds ($8.5 million over one year), is there any second-guessing about whether the Phillies overpaid for Jonathan Papelbon at four years and $50 million?

  “That’s the beauty and difficulty of free agency,” Amaro said. “We knew there were other teams who were going to be very competitive in the market for closers. Once we got to an AAV (average annual value) of $12.5 million with Papelbon, we felt that was a reasonable deal for us to make.

  “We don’t necessarily like deals of that length. There is risk. But he has a good track record, when you look at what he’s done and the physical condition he’s in. He’s going to pitch this year at 31. In the end, we got the best guy for our situation.

  “When we came into the off-season, we identified closer as our most specific need – and that’s no disrespect to Jimmy (Rollins). We wanted a lockdown type of guy, and there aren’t all that many closers with that sort of track record. We’re trying to win more than one World Series. We wanted to find the best player we could for that role. The risk, if you wait too long, is that you don’t end up with that guy.

  “Markets can be fluid and difficult to gauge. I’m happy with the player we have.”

  -- Jon Paul Morosi

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• For Phillies, everything hinges on Rollins

  December 05, 2011 by KenRosenthal

  The rest of the Phillies’ offseason hinges on whether they re-sign free-agent shortstop Jimmy Rollins, a negotiation that one rival agent describes as “an epic Roman battle” between two strong-willed men, Rollins and Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.

  If the Phillies do not keep Rollins, they intend to play rookie Freddy Galvis at short and lose considerable offense at the position. Their next move — the one for another bat — is where things would get interesting.

  The Phillies, according to two reports, are interested in free-agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez, a move that could require them to trade their current third baseman, Placido Polanco.

  They are actively trying to move Polanco, according to a rival executive.

  The pursuit of Ramirez could be a ploy to get Rollins to come off his desire for a five-year deal. Ramirez, who turns 34 in June, does not fit the Phillies’ desire to get younger — Rollins, 33, is an exception because of his history with the team. Some teams also question Ramirez’s makeup.

  The other option, of course, would be for the Phillies to add another bat in their outfield. The team reached agreement with free agent Laynce Nix, a left-handed hitter, on a two-year, $2.5 million contract Sunday. But Nix might simply be a hedge in case Amaro is unable to get another outfielder he wants.

  The Phillies, one source said, have cooled on free agent Michael Cuddyer, viewing his best position as right field, where Hunter Pence is under control for two more seasons. Another free agent, Jason Kubel, might be too expensive and require too long a contract. Still another, Carlos Beltran, could be had on a shorter term, but at a higher salary — and he’s 34.

  Plenty of other outfielders are available either on the open market or in trade, and Amaro is always aggressive, always full of surprises. Maybe his next move is Ramirez. Maybe it’s an outfielder. Or maybe he’ll just settle his epic Roman battle with Rollins.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• Phillies close to re-signing closer Madson?

  November 07, 2011 by KenRosenthal

  Are the Phillies close to re-signing closer Ryan Madson?

  Depends upon whom you ask.

  One major-league source said Monday night that the Phillies were working hard to keep Madson and possibly nearing an agreement.

  Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro did not deny that a deal was close. But he did not confirm it, either.

  “I do not characterize my negotiations,” Amaro said. “I need a closer. It’s no secret I need a closer.”

  Asked if he was still talking to Jonathan Papelbon and Heath Bell, two of the other top free-agent closers, Amaro said, “I am talking to everyone.”

  Amaro often strikes quickly in free agency. Madson’s agent, Scott Boras, generally prefers to wait out the market.

  One concern for the Phillies could be length of contract. They are just getting out from under Brad Lidge’s three-year, $37.5 million deal.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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