Twas the night before Christmas, when all over the field,

Not a player was stirring, as the 2011 season had been sealed.

The bats were stacked in the clubhouse with care,

In hopes that a Championship soon would be there.

The Phillies were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of trophies danced in their heads.

And Ruben with his new closer contract tucked under his cap,

Had just settled down for a long off-season nap.

When out in Charlie’s house, there arose such a clatter,

He sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window he stumbled, half asleep,

Having woke from a nightmare of his bullpen being taken deep.

The moonlight lit up the old ’08 trophy, causing it to glow

And gave the illusion of a night game on the grass down below.

When, what to his wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh filled with ballplayers in good cheer.

With his General Manager, ace pitchers in tow,

He knew in a moment it must be Ruben Amaro.

More rapid than the trade deadline, forward they all came,

And he grumbled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now, Utley! Now, Howard! Now, Rollins and Victorino!

On, Ruiz! On, Halladay! On, Pence and Polanco!

To the top of the National League! To the top of them all!

Now run away! Run away! And play some baseball!”

And then, in a twinkling, Charlie heard, “You The Man!”

From the shouting and cheering of each happy fan.

As he drew in his head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney J-Roll came with a bound.

He was dressed all in pinstripes, from his head to his foot,

Having tossed his old contract, which was tarnished, with ashes and soot.

But he arrived with a smile and Charlie gave him a pat on his back,

Surely the new 3-year deal would put this team right back on track.

J-Roll spoke many words, but getting on with his job,

He welcomed Jonathan Papelbon, whose new deal has him living high on the hog.

And with thunderous joy, the fans clapped their hands,

With a few shiny new toys, 2011 is sure to be grand!

J-Roll then sprang to the sleigh, and to his team gave a call,

“You guys are the best ballplayers of all!”

But Charlie heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,

“Happy HoLEEday’s to all and to all a good night!”

Re-wording & photoshopping by Jenn

Looking for a last minute Phillies-themed holiday gift?  Well, allow me to assist.  I bought myself a gift this past weekend because I just could not walk past this thing without buying it.  It was too much fun.

Most of us are familiar with the latest Pillow Pet craze.  They are everywhere.  But now you can actually buy what appears to be a Pillow Pet on steroids (totally legal for stuffed animals, no urine test required).

Even better, this company is now making a Jumbo, 30″ Phanatic Pillow Pet.  I found it at Modell’s sitting high up on a shelf.   I asked a rather attractive male employee in his late 20′s to get the pillow off the shelf for me.  And as he handed it over, he grinned and said, “Here is your new Mommy!”  Yes, a grown man spoke out loud to a stuffed animal in a store full of people.  My life is never dull.

In a show of great restraint, I managed to stop myself from telling him that there was room in my car for one more.  Because sometimes, life should be just a little bit dull ;o)

So Jumbo Phanatic and I carried on alone, but not without amusing every person I passed by, watching me try not to trip over anything as I hauled this monstrous creature to the car.  As you can see from the photo, it is a bit difficult to see around all the fluff.

Have you found any other fun Phillies holiday gifts?  Let me know in the comment section below.

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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography

*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the MTR Media network*

Rollins shared the joy on his twitter account today:

The signing come right on the heels of the D-Train, Dontrelle Willis, agreeing to a 1-year deal with the Phils.  Rollins and Willis are old friends who attended the same high school and whose mom’s are also friends.

A former starter and former Rookie of the Year in 2003, Willis’ career has run way off the tracks in recent years.  But he may be useful as a left-handed specialist out of the bullpen for very little cash.  Philly seems like a good place for a comeback, but how that unfolds is yet to be seen.

I would have loved to have been a fly on that wall when J-Roll learned that Willis got a contract before he did.  It may have gone something like, “What you talkin’ ’bout Willis?”  Only here, Willis is Gary Coleman and J-Roll is Todd Bridges.  Think of it as a 70′s reverse time warp.

Either way, both players are probably thrilled to finally be on the same side.

Earlier this off-season, I made some predictions on how the free-agent period would play out for the Phillies.  Let’s see how I did:

I said that both J-Roll and Brian Schneider would re-sign.  Check.

Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge would not have their options picked up and neither would resign.  Check.

And I predicted that Ryan Madson, Raul Ibanez and Ross Gload would also not re-sign.  Check.

That makes me 7 for 7.  Check.  Did you expect any less? ;o)

Technically, anything can happen between now and spring training, but I am fairly certain the Phillies are done making moves.  How about you?  Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments :O)

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*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the MTR Media network*

With a plethora of outfielders now in the Phillies system after a few signings, Ben Francisco has been traded Toronto for Minor League relief pitcher Frank Gailey.  Gailey, 26, is from Philly and has a record of 23-15 with a 2.45 ERA in 175 appearances in the minors. 

Francisco had a promising spring training before the 2011 season, but his hot streak ran cold quickly.  While Francisco was not consistent as a starter, the bench role did seem to suit him well.  He hit .269 with 4 RBI in 2011 and .289 with 7 RBI in 2010 as a pinch hitter.

But John Mayberry Jr. clearly outplayed him this past season.  And with the new additions of Scott Podsednik and Laynce Nix plus Domonic Brown on the roster, the outfield is full.

However, the Phillies seem to have some concerns about Brown’s future and they seem intent on giving him more time in the minors before they bring him up again.  Brown should be major league ready by now, but the Phils do not seem convinced.

If this is true, why not trade Brown now while he is still listed as a top prospect?  Because if they give him another shot in the bigs and he bombs again, his value will go right out the window.  At least now, they could get something in return for him.  Just a thought…

In other news, Jimmy Rollins is still in limbo, although rumors are flying that a deal is imminent.  J-Roll has not gotten much interest from other teams so resigning him at a descent price may be getting a little easier.

So what has J-Roll been doing while he waits?  Apparently, tweeting about “Ryan Braun’s positive drug test“: “I really hope Braunie’s initial test is not upheld. Either way people are gonna judge him. I believe him though.”

Braun was named the NL MVP this year.  So this may be the worst timing ever, although many people think the test was an error or some weird medical condition.  Whatever the case, we will not have a real answer anytime soon as Braun is appealing the ruling which, if he loses, will end in a 50-game suspension.

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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography

*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the MTR Media network*

Last year with the Nationals, Nix hit .250 with 16 home runs.  Similarly, Raul Ibanez hit .245 with 20 homers.  And this signing pretty much signals the end of Ibanez’s career with the Phillies.  So they are replacing him with a guy who is similar and only a little bit younger in baseball years.  The big difference here is that Ibanez had a solid career.  Nix has not.

So yes, this move is just one more head scratcher this offseason for the Phillies who seem to be going back to their roots of taking out the trash and hoping it turns into treasure.  Sometimes that works out; most of the time, it does not.  As for Ibanez, it certainly looks like he has been “Nixed.”

In happier news, Chase Utley and his wife Jen welcomed their first child on December 2.  His name is Benjamin Cooper Utley; FYI – Cooper is mom’s maiden name.  There was a photo posted on Crossing Broad but the Utley’s had them remove it.

So you can either use your imagination…or, use my imagination ;o)

By the way, the market for short stops just heated up.  The Miami Marlins have signed Jose Reyes for 6 years at $106 million.  He is not a Met anymore, but the NL East is still not rid of the annoying, showboating Reyes.

And his price tag also means that Jimmy Rollins may expect more money than the Phillies are able to give.  As a back-up plan, rumors have been flying about interest in Aramis Ramirez.  However, Ramirez plays third base.  Where does that leave Placido Polanco and who will play short stop?

So many questions, so few answers…  I will tell you this though, the 2012 Phillies are starting to look a whole lot different than the 2011 Phillies, although it is more of a lateral-type movement so far.

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Photoshopping by Jenn Zambri Photography

*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the MTR Media network*

@HunterPence3: Happy Thanksgiving everyone…..Let’s Go Eat!
Nov 24 via Twitter for BlackBerry®

Here is a VIDEO of Hunter with his family on Thanksgiving :O)

And just yesterday, Shane Victorino also took to Twitter to share his son Kingston’s birthday celebration with the world.  And no, I did not Photoshop this picture.  That really is Shane and Melissa Victorino dressed as clowns to entertain their kids.

@ShaneVictorino: #Grateful today celebrating Kingston’s bday in Hawaii http://t.co/Mol3e968
Nov 26 via Camera on iOS

Shane and Melissa are wonderful people and seriously super parents.  How lucky are those kids? 

So while their teammates were having great times with their families, 3 other Phillies players / free agents had some food for thought along with their turkey.  Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Madson and Raul Ibanez were all offered arbitration before the holiday weekend.

The offers put the Phillies in a position to receive compensatory draft picks for each player who declines.  However, it also puts them in the position to get slightly screwed if any of them actually accepts.  Rollins will likely decline as arbitration only gives the accepting player a one year deal and a salary determined by a hearing.

However, if Madson does not get an offer to his liking, arbitration may be an easy way to big one-year pay check for him.  Then again, it also positions him as the set-up man for Jonathan Papelbon, making his dreams of a huge closer contract the following season unlikely.  Madson will likely decline.

The really weird one here is Ibanez.  There are not too many teams, if any, in the market for an almost 40-year old left fielder with declining stats.  Ibanez made $12 million last year and in a hearing, that would be taken into account.  Even if he got half that amount, it is still way too much to be playing a platoon guy.  With the odds of no one else signing him being pretty high, Ibanez might accept and that would be trouble for the Phillies payroll.  I cannot imagine what the Phillies are thinking here.

Each player has until December 7, 2011 to decide.  So continue digesting your holiday weekend feast.  You have just over a week before you may feel the need to be ill.  Let us hope not though :O)

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*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the MTR Media network*

What We Can All Be Thankful For:

- 5 straight NL East Titles :O)

- The Houston Astros: Because some team has to suck this badly.  Be glad it is not the Phillies.

- Soccer fans: Because they make baseball fans seem tame.

- Seeing Roy Halladay pitch. It never gets old.

- Text messaging: Because I did not feel like talking to you anyway ;o)

- Politicians: I can be 100% assured that my moral compass points in the right direction after watching these people.

- Panama: Because they produced Carlos Ruiz :O)

- Gravity

- Umpires: They make me feel really smart.

- Modern plumbing.  Belize is a nice place to visit, unless you need to use the bathroom. :O(

- Form fitting baseball pants

- Chocolate

- Friends, family and my fellow Phans!

- Everything in this video:

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

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Photos by Jenn Zambri Photography except soccer lady, www.chicagonow.com

*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the MTR Media network*

Mahalo and Happy Shane Victorino Day!  Yes, Governor Neil Abercrombie declared that today is Shane Victorino Day in Hawaii.  And no, you cannot make this stuff up, folks.

Shane tweeted about the event earlier today:  ”Just founded out that Hawaii Governor Abercrombie declaring today as Shane Victorino Day in Hawaii! Whoa…honored! #TeamMana“  But what I really want to know is, where was Mr. Fitch today and did he knit a ridiculously expensive sweater for the occassion?

Seriously, congrats to Shane!  The Flyin’ Hawaiian has earned the honor!

Taking a back seat to the Victorino news today was the signing of utility man Ty Wigginton, 34.  The Phillies will pay half of his $4 million salary next year and they expect he will fill in mostly at 3rd and 1st since both Ryan Howard and Placido Polanco had surgery this off-season.

Wigginton has been tossed around MLB like a ping-pong ball.  The Phillies will be his 7th team entering his 11th major league season.  He is a lifetime .265 hitter and batted .242 last season.

The big draw here appears to be his power, but the right-handed Wigginton will probably see limited at-bats so I question that reasoning.  I also question why the Phillies picked up another aging player on the tail end of his career whose batting average has dropped steadily each year since 2008.

With all the talk about this team needing to get younger, I am confused.  We signed a 34-year old who will likely replace 29-year old Michael Martinez on the major league roster.  And this is after signing and severely overpaying for a 31-year old Jonathan Papelbon (to a FIVE year deal) and 41-year old Jim Thome.  Is it just me, or are the Phillies sort of going backwards here?  I understood the addition of Thome, which is good on a number of levels.  But this one?  Not so sure…

Not to mention Wigginton has a nice list of injuries to his credit, including groin strains, oblique strains, a fractured thumb, a broken hand and a sore back.

While Wigginton did not cost much and has value as a versatile player, the Phils already have plenty of versatile, average hitting  bench guys (Wilson Valdez, Martinez, Ben Francisco).  This seems a bit redundant to me.

Anyone else care to share their opinion?  Feel free to comment below.  And please, have a super Happy Shane Victorino Day :O)

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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography

*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the MTR Media network*

Kershaw was very deserving, although Halladay was a close runner-up.  But having 3 Phillies in the top 5 is also quite an impressive feat.

Another Phillies pitcher came close to taking home some hardware as well.  Vance Worley landed in 3rd place for Rookie of the Year behind two Braves, closer Craig Kimbrel and first baseman Freddie Freeman.  I thought Freeman would be the winner, but 2nd place is not too shabby.

And of course, neither is 3rd place.  Worley should be proud that on a staff with 4 ace starters, he not only held his own, he also got plenty of attention for a spectacular rookie season.

Also as I predicted, Charlie Manuel was overlooked for Manager of the Year…again.  Yes, despite a Major League leading 102 wins, 5 straight division titles and a World Series, Manuel came in 4th place.  The D-Backs skipper, Kirk Gibson, took first place.

Even crazier, Joe Maddon of the Rays won for the American league, making it TWO Manager of the Year awards in 4 years.  Don’t get me wrong, I like Maddon.  He is actually from the Philly area.  And certainly, he deserves the honor.  But it does seem like a real shame that Manuel cannot get any respect in the National League like Maddon does in the AL.  Manuel beat Maddon in the 2008 World Series and has accomplished more overall.

But as is usually the case, Manuel just keeps getting shunned.

In other news, Brian Schneider will be the back-up back-stop once again in 2012.  The one-year deal is worth $800,000.  There is still no word on a deal for Jimmy Rollins.  Stay tuned…

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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography

*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the MTR Media network*

Both Papelbon and Ryan Madson are the same age and have similar stats with the big difference being experience as a closer.  Papelbon has six years experience, Madson has just over a year all together.

Rumor has it that Madson was willing to take a 4-year, $44 million deal.  The Phillies signed Papelbon for  4-years and $50 million.  Madson would have been cheaper, theoretically, but Paplebon has the edge in experience.

My only concern is this: Madson seems to be on an up-swing with his stats improving over the past 3-years as he worked into the closer role.  On the other hand, Papelbon had a horrid 2010 season, improving in 2011, but still nowhere near his All-Star numbers from 2006-2009.  To me, this seems like a slight downward trend.

Then again, perhaps a change of scenery and removal from a Red Sox team that just had several surprisingly bad years will be the key to Papelbon’s return to form.

I realize I sound schizophrenic but I am just caught in between here.  This move to me is not good or bad…yet.  If Madson signs for a lot less than $50 million, this move may not look good.  Otherwise, only time will tell.

This $50 million deal also brings up a few other questions.  Will the Phillies have enough cash left to re-sign Jimmy Rollins?  Can they still work out a deal for a role player like Michael Cuddyer?  Once again, the Phillies raised ticket prices for the upcoming season so clearly, money is on their minds.

By the way, my favorite part of that article about the tickets is when John Weber, vice president of sales, says, “we will work with anyone who wants to move to another seating area.”  Really?  Because I tried that last year and was basically laughed at by a sales rep who told me there was almost no chance of a different seat opening up.  Anyone else had the same experience?

Back to the topic of closer, I would like to know what everyone else thinks of the move.  Leave your thoughts in the comment section.

And best of luck to Madson; he will be missed.

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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography

*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the MTR Media network*