* The Phillies signed 35-year-old reliever Francisco Rodriguez, aka K-Rod, to a minor league contract. He will go to spring training and try to make the 40-man roster.
K-Rod is fourth all-time on the saves list. He has lost something off his once blazing fastball, but reinvented himself the last few years, having a solid season with the Tigers before being released by Detroit last summer.
For the Phils it seems like a no-lose deal. If K-Rod makes the team, so much the better. He can be a closer, while Hector Neris shifts back to 8th-inning set-up guy, and Pat Neshek has the 7th inning, where he has been so effective.
With spring training just around the corner, the team has work to do. The outfield is crowded with four everyday outfielders vying for playing time in Altherr, Herrera, Hoskins and Williams. First baseman Tommy Joseph remains on the team, despite having no position to play, with the signing of Carlos Santana. Catching is also a position that needs to be addressed, as three back stoppers- Rupp, Knapp and Alfaro- compete for spots on the roster.
Most of all, aside from Aaron Nola, the starting pitching staff is up for grabs. One or two veteran hurlers would stabilize the young staff. Reports are that Yu Darvish and Alex Cobb could still be Phillies before the season starts.
Rightfully so, the local sports scene has been all-Eagles with their Super Bowl run. But after February 4, eyes will turn to Florida and spring training. Summer is on the horizon and Philly's baseball team, led by young stars like Hoskins, will try to take center stage, I say try because after the Eagles win the Super Bowl next Sunday, there will be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration and parade and all the joy that goes with a championship. Both the Flyers and Sixers are playing well and should have playoff runs. So the Phils will have to fight for attention and must do something special to grab the local headlines this spring.
* My girlfriend, Holly, surprised me on our 3rd anniversary by giving me tickets to the Phillies- Orioles game in Baltimore on Wednesday, May 16. It's a 12:35 afternoon game and we are meeting my oldest brother jIm, who lives in Maryland.
I have never been to Oriole Park at Camden Yards before. Camden Yards was the very first "new" ballpark built in the early 90s which left the cookie-cutter, multi-purpose stadium behind,, and started the more unique baseball park feel. Future ballparks like Citizens Bank Park were built with Camden yards in mind. It is the stadium which started it all.
I'm looking forward to seeing the park, but also the famous B&O Warehouse over the right field fence, which sits in an area like Ashburn Alley, which sells concessions and souvenirs. Boog's Bar-B-Que is the original rib/steak place like Bull's-Bar-B-Que in Philadelphia.
It's also the first time I will ever be in an enemy ballpark. So often, especially in the last several years, we see Mets fans or Cardinal fans, or Red Sox Nation invade CBP. Jerseys other than red are splashed thru-out the crowd. Cub fans tried to take over the stadium last August when they came in. Dodger fans always are vocal. Yankee fans will come down the turnpike this June when the Yanks visit for the first time in years.
As a loyal Phillies fan, you feel like telling these bums to go back home, this is our place. Now the shoe is on the other foot, as i'm sure I'll be decked out in Phils' gear in a Baltimore park. But I was there several years ago when vocal Oriole supporters made the trek up I-95 to Philly, so it's to be expected that I won't be alone in Camden Yards, rooting for the Fightin' Phils.
Otherwise, it will be nice to take in the Inner Harbor and all the food and sights around Baltimore. Hopefully it's a warm spring afternoon and the Phillies are playing well. it will be a good chance to check out what may be future Phille Manny Machado at third base.
For the record, the Orioles do return the favor and visit Citizens Bank Park for a two-game series on July 3-4.
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