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Moyer, 46, Signs Two-Year Deal To Remain In Philly
By Drew Silverman, The Bulletin
His fastball just gets slower and slower. And he just gets better and better.
“That’s the beauty of Jamie Moyer.”
Those words were spoken by Ruben Amaro Jr. yesterday, when the Phillies’ general manager announced that the team had re-signed Moyer to a two-year contract.
It is a $13 million deal, which is basically unprecedented for a 46-year-old pitcher entering his 23rd major league season. But, as has become clear over the last two decades, Jamie Moyer is the exception, never the rule.
“I’m sure if you ask Jamie, he’ll say that he will play out a few more contracts,” Amaro said. “I know on paper it probably says this is his last contract, but it will be fun to see how it plays out.”
Amaro did acknowledge that age was a significant factor with Moyer, who is the oldest active player in major league baseball and the oldest player in Phillies history to, well, do just about anything.
“There’s no question it’s a concern,” Amaro said. “For us to go two years guaranteed, I think shows our commitment to him.”
Moyer can earn $20 million over the two years if he pitches 190 innings and makes 31 starts each season.
He will receive base salaries of $6.5 million in each of the next two seasons, and he can make an additional $1.25 million in performance bonuses each year: $250,000 each for 150, 160, 170, 180 and 190 innings pitched.
In addition, Moyer’s 2010 base can escalate by up to $4.5 million: $250,000 each for 150 innings and 23 starts, and $500,000 each for 160, 170, 180 and 190 innings, and 25, 27, 29 and 31 starts.
He also has a limited no-trade clause that allows him to block trades to six teams, no more than four in a league.
Moyer, who led the Phillies with 16 victories last season, had been pushing for a two-year deal all along. After an outstanding regular season in which he posted a 3.71 ERA in 33 starts, Moyer was roughed up in his first two postseason outings. But the veteran left-hander came back strong in Game 3 of the World Series, holding the Rays to three runs in 6 1⁄3 innings of a critical 5-4 victory.
“Based off of last season, I feel that I threw the ball pretty consistently,” said Moyer, a product of Souderton High School and Saint Joseph’s University. “I felt no reason why I couldn’t pitch next year and having the security of the second year, it pushes me and it drives me.”
Moyer, who will be less than a month shy of his 48th birthday when this contract expires in 2010, is just happy to still be pitching in the major leagues, particularly for his hometown team.
“I’m happy to be back in Philadelphia to defend our World Series championship,” said Moyer, who is just as much a pitching coach as a pitcher at this stage of his career. “I’m excited about our club. I’m looking forward to a great year from everybody.”
Park’s Place
Even with Moyer back in the fold, the Phillies had been looking to fill another gap in their rotation, as well as possibly a spot in their bullpen.
They may have killed two birds with one pitcher.
The Phillies have reached a preliminary agreement with Chan Ho Park on a one-year deal that is contingent upon Park passing a physical. According to the Korea Times, the deal is worth $2.5 million and could increase to $5 million if certain performance bonuses are reached.
Park, who pitched primarily in relief for the Dodgers last season, said he also had interest from the Giants, Diamondbacks, Royals and Blue Jays. But of that group, only the Phillies made the playoffs last year. And the lure of joining the defending champions was a deciding factor for the veteran right-hander, who has only made the postseason twice in his 15-year career.
“Five teams contacted me, and the Phillies made the biggest efforts among them,” Park was quoted as saying in The Times. “I selected Philadelphia because they are the World Series champions and have high expectations for a playoff berth next season.”
A former free agent bust for the Rangers, Park resurrected his career with the Dodgers last season. The 35-year-old posted a 3.40 ERA in 54 games, holding right-handed hitters to a .237 average. Lefties hit .301 against him.
He has 280 career starts, but made only five last season. In those outings, he was 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA, although he averaged only five innings per start. It is also worth noting that Park had a 2.18 ERA at Dodger Stadium and a 4.50 ERA away from the pitcher-friendly park.
For his career, Park is 117-92 with a 4.34 ERA. He averaged 15 wins a season for the Dodgers from 1997-2001 before the Rangers signed him to a five-year, $65 million contract that proved catastrophic. He pitched for Texas for the next four seasons, won a total of 22 games and posted a 5.65 ERA for the Rangers while pitching half his games in one of the league’s most homer-happy ballparks.
Of course, Citizens Bank Park has a similar reputation, and Park admitted that was one of his concerns.
“I was a little worried about Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Phillies, which is hitter-friendly,” Park said in The Times. “But as they considered me a starter, I signed with Philadelphia.”
Park, who also has pitched for the Padres and Mets in recent seasons, will likely compete for the fifth starter’s job with Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ and top prospect Carlos Carrasco. Adam Eaton, who has struggled as the Phils’ fifth starter over the last two seasons, is under contract for $8.5 million in 2009 but does not appear to be in the team’s plans.
The Chase Is On
In his first gathering with the media since undergoing right hip surgery on Nov. 24, Chase Utley proclaimed himself “good” and maintains his belief that he’ll be ready by opening day.
“I’m feeling good,” said the Phillies’ All-Star second baseman. “I don’t see any reason why I won’t be ready for the start of the season, barring any setbacks.”
Utley, who walked into yesterday’s news conference with an exaggerated limp, noted that the injury affected him more in the field than at the plate. But nonetheless, his power numbers declined significantly over the second half of the season.
“I knew something wasn’t right for a while,” said Utley, who finished the year with a .292 average, 33 homers and 104 RBIs. “I didn’t know how bad it was until we actually had it examined. Did I have to have the surgery? No, I didn’t have to have it. But I felt like it was something that needed to be done. I’m young. I’m healthy. If there’s any time to have this surgery, it’s now.”
The surgery is expected to sideline Utley for four to six months. The Phillies open the season April 5 at Citizens Bank Park against the Braves.
“My plan is to be ready at least by the middle of spring training,” Utley said. “We’ll see how it goes. Maybe earlier, maybe a little later. We’ll just have to see how it goes. The most important thing is to get healthy. That’s the bottom line.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Drew Silverman can be reached at dsilverman@thebulletin.us.
“That’s the beauty of Jamie Moyer.”
Those words were spoken by Ruben Amaro Jr. yesterday, when the Phillies’ general manager announced that the team had re-signed Moyer to a two-year contract.
It is a $13 million deal, which is basically unprecedented for a 46-year-old pitcher entering his 23rd major league season. But, as has become clear over the last two decades, Jamie Moyer is the exception, never the rule.
“I’m sure if you ask Jamie, he’ll say that he will play out a few more contracts,” Amaro said. “I know on paper it probably says this is his last contract, but it will be fun to see how it plays out.”
Amaro did acknowledge that age was a significant factor with Moyer, who is the oldest active player in major league baseball and the oldest player in Phillies history to, well, do just about anything.
“There’s no question it’s a concern,” Amaro said. “For us to go two years guaranteed, I think shows our commitment to him.”
Moyer can earn $20 million over the two years if he pitches 190 innings and makes 31 starts each season.
He will receive base salaries of $6.5 million in each of the next two seasons, and he can make an additional $1.25 million in performance bonuses each year: $250,000 each for 150, 160, 170, 180 and 190 innings pitched.
In addition, Moyer’s 2010 base can escalate by up to $4.5 million: $250,000 each for 150 innings and 23 starts, and $500,000 each for 160, 170, 180 and 190 innings, and 25, 27, 29 and 31 starts.
He also has a limited no-trade clause that allows him to block trades to six teams, no more than four in a league.
Moyer, who led the Phillies with 16 victories last season, had been pushing for a two-year deal all along. After an outstanding regular season in which he posted a 3.71 ERA in 33 starts, Moyer was roughed up in his first two postseason outings. But the veteran left-hander came back strong in Game 3 of the World Series, holding the Rays to three runs in 6 1⁄3 innings of a critical 5-4 victory.
“Based off of last season, I feel that I threw the ball pretty consistently,” said Moyer, a product of Souderton High School and Saint Joseph’s University. “I felt no reason why I couldn’t pitch next year and having the security of the second year, it pushes me and it drives me.”
Moyer, who will be less than a month shy of his 48th birthday when this contract expires in 2010, is just happy to still be pitching in the major leagues, particularly for his hometown team.
“I’m happy to be back in Philadelphia to defend our World Series championship,” said Moyer, who is just as much a pitching coach as a pitcher at this stage of his career. “I’m excited about our club. I’m looking forward to a great year from everybody.”
Park’s Place
Even with Moyer back in the fold, the Phillies had been looking to fill another gap in their rotation, as well as possibly a spot in their bullpen.
They may have killed two birds with one pitcher.
The Phillies have reached a preliminary agreement with Chan Ho Park on a one-year deal that is contingent upon Park passing a physical. According to the Korea Times, the deal is worth $2.5 million and could increase to $5 million if certain performance bonuses are reached.
Park, who pitched primarily in relief for the Dodgers last season, said he also had interest from the Giants, Diamondbacks, Royals and Blue Jays. But of that group, only the Phillies made the playoffs last year. And the lure of joining the defending champions was a deciding factor for the veteran right-hander, who has only made the postseason twice in his 15-year career.
“Five teams contacted me, and the Phillies made the biggest efforts among them,” Park was quoted as saying in The Times. “I selected Philadelphia because they are the World Series champions and have high expectations for a playoff berth next season.”
A former free agent bust for the Rangers, Park resurrected his career with the Dodgers last season. The 35-year-old posted a 3.40 ERA in 54 games, holding right-handed hitters to a .237 average. Lefties hit .301 against him.
He has 280 career starts, but made only five last season. In those outings, he was 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA, although he averaged only five innings per start. It is also worth noting that Park had a 2.18 ERA at Dodger Stadium and a 4.50 ERA away from the pitcher-friendly park.
For his career, Park is 117-92 with a 4.34 ERA. He averaged 15 wins a season for the Dodgers from 1997-2001 before the Rangers signed him to a five-year, $65 million contract that proved catastrophic. He pitched for Texas for the next four seasons, won a total of 22 games and posted a 5.65 ERA for the Rangers while pitching half his games in one of the league’s most homer-happy ballparks.
Of course, Citizens Bank Park has a similar reputation, and Park admitted that was one of his concerns.
“I was a little worried about Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Phillies, which is hitter-friendly,” Park said in The Times. “But as they considered me a starter, I signed with Philadelphia.”
Park, who also has pitched for the Padres and Mets in recent seasons, will likely compete for the fifth starter’s job with Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ and top prospect Carlos Carrasco. Adam Eaton, who has struggled as the Phils’ fifth starter over the last two seasons, is under contract for $8.5 million in 2009 but does not appear to be in the team’s plans.
The Chase Is On
In his first gathering with the media since undergoing right hip surgery on Nov. 24, Chase Utley proclaimed himself “good” and maintains his belief that he’ll be ready by opening day.
“I’m feeling good,” said the Phillies’ All-Star second baseman. “I don’t see any reason why I won’t be ready for the start of the season, barring any setbacks.”
Utley, who walked into yesterday’s news conference with an exaggerated limp, noted that the injury affected him more in the field than at the plate. But nonetheless, his power numbers declined significantly over the second half of the season.
“I knew something wasn’t right for a while,” said Utley, who finished the year with a .292 average, 33 homers and 104 RBIs. “I didn’t know how bad it was until we actually had it examined. Did I have to have the surgery? No, I didn’t have to have it. But I felt like it was something that needed to be done. I’m young. I’m healthy. If there’s any time to have this surgery, it’s now.”
The surgery is expected to sideline Utley for four to six months. The Phillies open the season April 5 at Citizens Bank Park against the Braves.
“My plan is to be ready at least by the middle of spring training,” Utley said. “We’ll see how it goes. Maybe earlier, maybe a little later. We’ll just have to see how it goes. The most important thing is to get healthy. That’s the bottom line.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Drew Silverman can be reached at dsilverman@thebulletin.us.
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