Phillies Trade Rumors

Seanez could take Happ's place on Phillies' NLCS roster
"As of yesterday evening, the Phillies were still in the process of finalizing their roster for the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers, which begins tomorrow at 8:22 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park.Teams are allowed totheir 25-man rosters before each playoff series. Assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said significant changes were unlikely, but allowed for the possibility of some massaging.One move the Phillies are currently debating, according to pitching coach Rich Dubee, involves the final spot in the bullpen. Currently, that position is occupied by lefthander J.A. Happ, who did not appear in the division series against the Brewers.Dubee said he didn't think the ..."
Blue Jays not in Gillick's plans
"This year's World Series, if it goes the distance, ends on Oct. 30. Pat Gillick's contract with the Philadelphia Phillies ends on Oct. 31. "That would be a nice way to go out the door," said Gillick yesterday at Miller Park where his Phillies failed to finish off the first step in that World Series quest against the Milwaukee Brewers. The next chapter in the 71-year-old baseball lifer's remarkable story is a secret Gillick isn't going to share just yet. All he would say is that it doesn't include a return engagement with the Blue Jays. Whatever it is that will occupy Gillick's considerable intellect, he will do it from the West Coast. "We live way out in Seattle and, working in ..."
Gillick won't deny possible return to Jays
"Pat Gillick did not exactly say he wanted the job running Canada's only Major League Baseball franchise. But he didn't deny interest, either. Of all the names being bandied about as the possible successor to Paul Godfrey as the president of the Toronto Blue Jays, Gillick's is possibly the most intriguing. Still revered in Toronto, he transformed the Blue Jays from expansion wannabe to powerhouse, culminating in back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993. "If something transpires after [the playoffs], that's fine," he said in a telephone interview yesterday. "But at this point I've had no thought, I've had no discussion whatsoever about it." Gillick, 71, is general manager of the ..."
Burrell's status unclear
"Maybe it's a testament to Pat Burrell's nature that few noticed as the Phillies' left fielder slowly left the playing field of Citizens Bank Park. Then again, maybe it's the star stature of Jimmy Rollins in the middle of an extensive interview that gave Burrell the solitude he sought. The No. 5 hitter in the Phillies' lineup certainly wasn't healthy when he left batting practice on Tuesday, looking three times his actual age. "I think he'll live," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who confirmed that Burrell's back had locked up on him during the workout. Manuel didn't seem too worried about Burrell, but stopped short of saying he thought he would be fine by today's Game 1 of the NLDS ..."
Giroux looks likely to start season with Phantoms
"Highly touted winger Claude Giroux, who the Flyers had hoped would be one of their key forwards this season, faces an uphill battle to earn a roster spot and, based on comments made by coach John Stevens yesterday, seems destined to start the year with the AHL Phantoms."I think Claude has done just OK, to be honest with you," Stevens said after yesterday's practice at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. "I think there was a lot of pressure on this kid coming in."Expectations were high after Giroux scored an astounding 51 points - 17 goals, 34 assists - in 19 playoff games with his Quebec Junior League team last season.A couple weeks ago, just before the start of the veterans' training camp on ..."
Gillick still not likely to return
"Pat Gillick is a scout at heart. So, as the team that he has built celebrated a second straight division title Saturday night, he thought about the unheralded talent evaluators who have worked so hard alongside him. He did not, however, reconsider stepping down as the Phillies' general manager. Last September, Gillick announced that the 2008 season would be his last as a GM. In a conversation Monday with The News Journal, he said that watching the Phils' late-season surge into the postseason hasn't done much to change his mind. "Probably not," said Gillick, who turned 71 in August. "Look, I signed a three-year contract. My contract is up. Because I'm 71, people keep saying I'm going to ..."
Who will be next GM?
"The Phillies have a lot riding on the next 21 games and it's not just on the field. Everything the Phillies hope to accomplish not only this year but into the future rests on these games, beginning with today's doubleheader at Shea Stadium against the New York Mets. First and foremost, the Phillies are still in pursuit of a second consecutive playoff berth. Entering the season, the Phillies had high expectations, buoyed by a National League East title just six months earlier. Their core group of players was for the most part commencing their prime years as Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard were the focal point of a powerful offense. While they have had their share of struggles, ..."
Iguchi Is Back
"The Phillies are expected to announce today that Iguchi, who played second base last season while Chase Utley was out with a broken hand, has come to a contract agreement with the Phillies. The San Diego Padres recently released Iguchi. Iguchi is expected to join the Phillies before tomorrow's game against the Mets. Iguchi would be ineligible for the postseason should the Phillies win the NL East or wild card."
Kendrick's next start uncertain
"Kyle Kendrick is out and it is uncertain when he could be back. The Phillies will skip his turn in the rotation Sunday against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium to have Cole Hamels (12-8, 3.01 ERA) face Mets lefthander Johan Santana instead. Kendrick (11-8, 5.08) could pitch Monday against the Florida Marlins at Citizens Bank Park, or sometime after that. Or maybe not. "I don't know yet," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "We'll take care of this weekend series and go from there." Kendrick said he understood the decision. "I haven't thrown the ball well," the righthander said. "I understand we've got 20 games left. We've got an extra day off and Cole has been pitching awesome, so why not? ..."
Hamels may be shuffled to face Mets
"Phillies manager Charlie Manuel is intrigued by the idea of moving his pitching order around so that staff ace Cole Hamels would take the mound against the New York Mets in a two-game series next Tuesday and Wednesday. The luxury of having an off day last Monday just might give Manuel that chance. However, he was noncommittal before the Phillies took on the Nationals on Wednesday night, even though his team trailed the Mets by 11ΒΌ2 games in the National League East. Hamels (10-8, 3.22 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against the Dodgers on Saturday afternoon. The left-hander made his last start on Sunday in the Phils' 2-1 win over San Diego and would have to move up in the rotation to get a shot ..."
Ross may be catching on
"The Phillies might be on the verge of adding a third wheel to their catching tandem. David Ross, released by Cincinnati on Monday, is expected to clear waivers today and become a free agent. The Phillies and Boston are interested, Fox Sports reported. A team source confirmed the Phils are talking about adding Ross, who possibly would get a chance to compete for playing time with starter Carlos Ruiz and often-used backup Chris Coste. Ross, 31, hit .231 with 3 homers and 13 RBIs in 52 games (43 as a starter) with the Reds. A right-handed hitter, Ross is a career .223 hitter in 423 games over seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2002-04), Pittsburgh (2005), San Diego (2005) and ..."
Phillies scout Freddy Garcia