It was a good day to be a FLP - Joe Bisenius, Gary Knotts, Jason Jaramillo, J.D. Durbin and Brennan King all saw action today in the Phillies 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Let’s start with JJ - 0-2 with a K, but defensively he caught Doug Mientkiewicz stealing.  Joe Bisenius pitched a pair in relief, retiring 6 of the 7 batters he faced, giving up only a walk.  Third baseman Brennan King went 1-2 and scored a run.  Gary Knotts, being used in relief, picked up the win after giving up a solitary hit and no runs in his two innings of work.  J.D. didn’t have the greatest outing - 2 runs on 5 hits (including a HR) and a walk over two innings in a starting role.

There’s numerous other FLPs who had invites to Spring Training - I’ll look for their results later this evening or tomorrow.

Joe Bisenius - August 2007.

*** UPDATE ***

Our man in Florida, Bob Williams has a much more detailed review of the 11-6 loss than yours truly’s analysis of the boxscore.  Nice work! (and on a personal level, very gratifying to see the term “FLP” finding it’s way into the baseball vernacular)

From earlier this afternoon, during our regular “guessing game” on the drive home.

Me:  It’s my turn to guess something.

Bekah:  No.  It’s always your turn.

Me: Why don’t you make something up for me to guess?

Bekah: Because I don’t know anything!

Now, will she still be saying that in 10 years?  I doubt it.

Similarly, and from earlier this afternoon, a popular Phillies blog had this to say about John Russell’s Pirates in advance of today’s Grapefruit league opener with the Phillies:

The Pirates were the worst team in the National League last season and chances are quite strong they’ll finish that way again. They actually lost depth in their bullpen, which was an enviable unit for a couple of seasons. Gorzelanny and Ian Snell are nice pitchers, but I have some doubts. I was shocked their pitching staff ranked as low as it did in 2007; even worse than the Phils in many respects. They’re sinking pretty low for help, signing Byung-Hyun Kim to a guaranteed deal. Kim was technically their biggest off-season acquisition. Wright, the very definition of an up-and-down career, is a non-roster invitee trying to catch on at 32-years-old. Their lineup is wretched and without power. Too many Chris Duffy types. Their mission should be to get as much as they can for Snell and others at the non-waiver trade deadline. They need to do a better job finding cheap talent. I’m not high on their prospects.

In the spirit of positive spin – which I’m warned is at an all-time low here – at least we’re not Pirates fans. At least our star nucleus isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and at least management addressed a couple needs this off-season. What’s Pittsburgh done? What’s the point of it?

Which of course is why they play the games.  Final score Pittsburgh 11, Philadelphia 6.  FLPs Andy Tracy went 0-0 with a walk, and Jason Jaramillo went 0-1 with a walk and defensively gave up a stolen base.  Are the Pirates going to go out and win the World Series?  Probably not, but every once in a while it’s nice to dish out a little humble pie.  Below is an audio clip of an interview with John Russell (blogger: I finally ponied up the cash to allow me to “host” audio on this blog too).  It’s conducted during a “winter caravan” type event, probably back in January.

I rarely get a fever, but with the one I’m running right now, anything posted would likely be gibberish.

Sorry - more gibberish than usual.

Cross-posted to the UORB.

Seems like this question gets asked about guys like Gary Burnham every spring.  How can I guy who hits .XXX year after year, never get shot at the bigs?  In Gary’s case of course, the numbers are pretty decent:

.

Got that?  At the AA level or better, his average over 8 seasons was .294.  294.  Maybe his defense didn’t warrant a full time spot on a Major League roster, but never even a September call up?  No invites to Spring Training?  Couldn’t someone have used a left handed DH off the bench in a pinch hit situation?  Sadly for Gary, the answer has always been “no”.

In other FLP news, Chris Roberson who was recently traded to the Orioles, didn’t make the 40 man roster.  Baseball America expressed everyone’s surprise:

So, hold on–the Orioles lost Jeff Fiorentino as a waiver claim, after booting him off the 40-man roster to make room for Roberson . . . and then they don’t think enough of Roberson to keep him on the 40-man? At least they still have Roberson in the organization, as he has re-signed a minor league deal. Fiorentino is on his third team this offseason now with the Athletics.

One of the frequent “knocks” against Ottawa (in this post 9-11 world) was that it was just one more hassle for players always needing additional documents.  Seems like Ottawa - hell, Canada isn’t alone.

Quick hit until later - Gary Burnham’s packed his bags and will ply his trade in Taiwan this season.

Got a nice note updating all of us on the activities of Jody Kingsbury, who was a media relations intern with the Lynx last summer.

Jody has been using his winter well, putting together video highlight packages for the varsity teams at McMaster University down in Hamilton.

Speaking as someone whose CIS fetish has been spun off into a second blog, Jody’s highlight packages perfectly capture the atmosphere of a university game in Canada. It’s professional work but it doesn’t look so slick that you forget you’re watching true student-athletes.

No doubt a lot of collegiate and professional sports organizations could stand to have Mr. Kingsbury’s expertise and enthusiasm.

(Cross-posted to the UORB.)

*** UPDATE ***

Carl adds:  Glad to see that one of us wasn’t a slacker this weekend.  Thanks to friend of the blog (FOTB), RD, for the update on Jody and the link to his work at McMaster - very impressive (just don’t go all MSM on us, JK!).  I was going to add that another FOTB has alerted us that FLS (Former Lynx Staff) and blog favorite, Michaela is still working in MiLB.  And no, she didn’t go over to the Dark Side.  Michaela’s working with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Jays AA affiliate as their new Marketing Manager.  Congrats MS!

It’s good to see FLP Howie Clark stepping forward to discuss his part in the Mitchell Report.

“It was a mistake that I made. I was wrong for doing it, and I accept full responsibility for my actions,” Clark said Monday in the Twins’ clubhouse, shortly after taking part in his new team’s first workout of the spring.

Rather than stonewalling the media, or denying what he knew was true, he’s taken the straightforward approach with the admission.  The Twins are, quite rightly, impressed.

When the report was released, Clark responded, he said, in the only way his conscience would allow. He confessed.

“He called us a day later,” said Twins general manager Bill Smith, who signed the 34-year-old infielder to a minor league contract on Nov. 22. “He basically walked through what happened and why. He stepped up, and I really appreciated it. I respect the way he handled it, because he was very straightforward.”

Without getting into the morality argument, or even attempting to compare Howie’s case with some of the others that have been highlighted in the report, I will say this much:  I think that Howie, by confronting this in the manner he has, will find that the well of forgiveness will be pretty deep.

I thought there was something familiar about the photo on the left (presumably taken during ST, 2008).  Nice to see that a multi-millionaire and constructor of two World Series teams isn’t a pretentious fashionista.  Quite apart from that, you know that a guy who still makes his home in Canada (albeit Toronna) and whose wife is named Doris must be a pretty good guy.  The photo on the right was taken on July 3, 2008 at Lynx Stadium.  Mr. Gillick was up negotiating a contract with “the boy’s” agent.

From Baseball America’s “From the top: Measuring which farm systems are closest to the Majors“.  It’s subjective of course (and yes, stats are for losers) but even if they outperform the evaluation, will the former Ottawa parent club get out of the lower third?  Interesting to see former parent club Washington (Montreal) mired in 27th spot, one below the Phillies, while Baltimore may have turned things around (15th position).

This, according to the author, Ben Badler:

What could these results mean for the near future? Last year, the Diamondbacks and Rockies finished with 90 wins each, one year after each team won 76 games. In last year’s free agent market, the Diamondbacks didn’t spend any money on major league free agents, while the Rockies’ only major league free agent acquisition from another team was righthander LaTroy Hawkins, who received a one-year, $3.5 million deal. The Diamondbacks last year had a 4.00 CTM Score. They received key contributions from five of their top 10 prospects—righthanders Micah Owings and Tony Pena, third baseman Mark Reynolds and outfielders Chris Young and Justin Upton—en route to a National League West title.

The 2007 Rockies had a 3.80 CTM Score and ended their year in the World Series. Top prospect Troy Tulowitzki established himself as one of the game’s best shortstops–especially with a glove in his hand–while Franklin Morales and Ubaldo Jimenez both had favorable results on the mound down the stretch when most of the Rockies starting pitchers hit the disabled list. While the focus is often on finding future superstars or above-average big leaguers, players who are simply average or below-average but better than a replacement-level player add value to a major league team. By being able to plug in a pair of prospects with upside into the major league roster when injuries created an opening, the Rockies may have had an advantage over teams that would have otherwise had to rely on an older Triple-A veterans or raw youngsters.

A multitude of variables affect a team’s chances of making the playoffs—having a strong major league roster to begin with, staying healthy, and having a general manager and a manager who make the right moves during the season. But with the right mix of all those elements, a team that can supplement its 25-man roster with quality players in the upper levels of its farm system should have a marked advantage over teams that do not.

The Rockies and Diamondbacks were admittedly cherry-picked examples from 2007. But even though results may vary from year to year, it’s easy to see why teams with advanced, high-caliber prospects have a competitve advantage.

Florida would be nice….

Man I hate winter.

Time to catch up with some FLPs, care of Phillybaseballnews.com:

In the pick-a-Durbin sweepstakes, the Phillies hope Chad doesn’t leave them hanging.

Chad Durbin is on a mission to beat out Adam Eaton for a spot in the rotation. If not, he’ll most likely spot start and pitch in long relief.

But if J.D. Durbin out-duels Eaton and out-Durbins Chad, the Phillies will face a difficult decision. Neither Durbin has options, which means the Phillies risk having them claimed off waivers if they don’t head north with the team.

J. D. has occasionally kept calm enough on the mound to harness his above average stuff, but most times he just gets himself into trouble. Chad was a Jekyll and Hyde last season, coming apart at the seems after a respectable first half.

J.D. is running out of time, but a tremendous spring could earn him a spot on the team. Likewise, if Chad can’t revert from Hyde back into Jekyll, there might be some awkward results.

Clay Condrey

Like the Durbins, Clay has no options, so this may be his final spring with the Phillies.

Clay Condrey was mostly mediocre for the Phillies out of the bullpen last season, showing brief flashes of brilliance while logging a career high 50 innings. His 5-0 record can’t be overlooked, and going 2-for-2 in save opportunities helps, but the 1.54 WHIP and poor peripherals are uninspiring.

Clay’s status might also come down to Adam Eaton. If Eaton loses his job to a Durbin or another right-hander, he will probably open the season on the disabled list, not in the bullpen. Eaton hasn’t fared well in relief and is generally against the idea. Most likely a roster spot would open for a right-hander in the bullpen, and this is where Condrey fits in.

Vic Darensbourg

Darensbourg is another lefty reliever with an outside chance of winning a job. As a non-roster invitee, the Phillies could sign him to a one-year deal without much trouble or expense, but a place on the 40 man would have to be cleared. At 30 years old, he has major league experience, but more than anything, he’s a lefty. Vic will have to beat other dark horse lefty relievers Shane Youman and Brian Mazone, who’s back from Korea.

Jason Jaramillo

Chris Coste will probably keep his job backing up catcher Carlos Ruiz, and I sure hope he does with his book due out soon. But if anyone knows to take nothing for granted, it’s Coste.

Behind solid incumbent Carlos Ruiz, Jason Jaramillo is the next in a line of catchers of the future. Top backstop prospects include spring training invitees Lou Marson and Tuffy Gosewisch. Marson, winner of back-to-back championships in low-A and high-A, is perhaps the best of the bunch. Another young gun, Travis D’Arnaud, should arrive next spring with a major league glove in hand.

Jaramillo, a Triple-A all-star, also fields his position well. What’s more, he switch-hits, which makes him a valuable bench player. Jaramillo may yet blossom into a star, and the Phillies need to see as much of him as they can with the other rookies pushing him from below. Sooner or later a trade will be made and the Phillies can’t afford to lose the wrong catcher of the future.

Since Jaramillo can be optioned to the minors, it may take the rest of the season to overtake Coste. But if Coste has a terrible spring and Jaramillo shines, Coste might complete the transition to his new media career a little sooner than he hoped.

J.A. Happ

J.A. Happ hit a wall last year due to injury after a couple of minor league seasons on the rise. Happ is a control lefty with steady, unspectacular stuff, and projects as a bottom of the rotation starter. Most likely, since he has two option years remaining, he’ll start the season in Triple-A. But if he shows exceptional command in spring training and the other candidates for the starting rotation falter, the Phillies could decide to keep him in place of Eaton. Or, J.A. could be a default choice as a lefty in the bullpen. Another dark horse lefty who can start or relieve is Fabio Castro, who also has two option years remaining.

Mr. Manuel, Mr. Gillick, please don’t even think about Eaton’s contract. Let bygones be a steady stream of bygones. Give these dark horse candidates a long look. Make sure Adam Eaton out-pitches them in fair competition, especially those with no options. We can’t afford another dreadful fifth starter, nor can we lose players who might contribute by making wrong roster decisions. I’m not saying Anderson Garcia, who was just claimed off waivers by Seattle, is going to be this year’s Justin Germano, but the claims may continue. When your pitching staff ranked in the bottom-third of baseball last season, the margin for error is thin.