Mitchell Report released; names listed here

The Mitchell Report has been released.

Here’s the list, which I found out of the PDF of the report

Rick Ankiel
David Bell
Paul Byrd
Jose Canseco
Jay Gibbons
Troy Glaus
Jason Grimsley
Jose Guillen
Jerry Hairston Jr.
Darren Holmes
Gary Matthews Jr
John Rocker
Scott Schoeneweis
Ismael Valdez
Matt Williams
Steve Woodward
Nook Logan
Howie Clark
Jeff Williams
Chad Allen
Brendan Donnelly
Jim Parque
Gary Bennett Jr
Matt Herges
Mike Bell
Eric Gagne
Kevin Brown
Fernando Vina
Bart Miadich
Adam Riggs
Paul LoDuca
Stephen Randolph
Mike Stanton
Jason Christiansen
Miguel Tejada
Adam Piatt
Kent Mercker
Cody McKay
Mike Lansing
Kevin Young
Todd Pratt
Phil Hiatt
Todd Williams
Chris Donnels
Ryan Franklin
Denny Neagle
Mo Vaughn
FP Santangelo
David Justice
Greg Zaun
Jason Grimsley
Chuck Knoblauch
Andy Pettitte
Roger Clemens
Rondell White
Matt Franco
Hal Morris
Mark Carreon
Todd Hundley
Josais Manzanillo
Tim Laker
Jack Cust
Brian Roberts
Larry Bigbie
David Segui
Lenny Dykstra
Randy Velarde
Gary Sheffield
Benito Santiago
Jeremy Giambi
Jason Giambi
Bobby Estalella
Barry Bonds
Marvin Benard

Thoughts:

- Paul LoDuca came out at me right away. That doesn’t surprise me. The guy seems to always be close to this kind of junk.
- Todd Pratt makes sense, but upsets me. As does Lenny Dykstra.
- More nothing names than big names. In fact, we already knew most of the big names. Sheffield is one who comes in as a small surprise.
- The list posted last night and e-mailed around is a huge hoax. No Pujols, Varitek, etc.
- Gary Matthews Jr. cashed in at the right time, eh?
- A lot of catchers here. I suppose they were all trying to prolong their careers and aid injuries.
- Eric Gagne’s admission shows he’s more the Sox-caliber pitcher than the Dodgers-caliber pitcher.
- Most of these guys are from the mid- and late-90s. Nothing huge to write home about.

Mitchell Report: E-mail says Pujols, Nomar; Nunez listed

UPDATE: This is not the real list. See above for the list taken from the actual report.

An e-mail circulating the Web has leaked the names that will be revealed today in the Mitchell Report, which was conducted to find MLB players who have taken performance-enhancing drugs. The real list will be released at 2 p.m., so there’s a good chance this list is genuinely fake or speculatory. So take it with a grain of salt. But I’ll post it regardless:

Brady Anderson, Manny Alexander, Rick Ankiel, Jeff Bagwell, Barry Bonds, Aaron Boone, Rafaeil Bettancourt, Bret Boone, Milton Bradley, David Bell, Dante Bichette, Albert Belle, Paul Byrd, Wil Cordero, Ken Caminiti, Mike Cameron, Ramon Castro, Jose and Ozzie Canseco, Roger Clemens, Paxton Crawford, Wilson Delgado, Lenn y Dykstra, Johnny Damon, Carl Everett, Kyle Farnsworth, Ryan Fr anklin, Troy Glaus, Rich Garces, Jason Grimsley, Troy Glaus, Juan Gonzalez (Juan A.?), Eric Gagne, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Giambi, Jeremy Giambi, Jose Guillen, Jay Gibbons, Juan Gonzalez, Clay Hensley, Jerry Hairston, Felix Heredia, Jr., Darren Holmes, Wally Joyner, Darryl Kile, Matt Lawton, Raul Mondesi, Ma rk McGwire, Guillermo Mota, Robert Machado, Damian Moss, Abraham Nunez, Trot Nixon, Jose Offerman, Andy Pettitte, Mark Prior, Neifi Perez, Rafael Palmiero, Albert Pujols, Brian Roberts, Juan Rincon, John Rocker, Pudge Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Scott Schoenweiis, David Segui, Alex Sanchez , Gary Sheffield, Miguel Tejada, Julian Tavarez, Fernando Tatis, Maurice Vaughn, Jason Varitek, Ismael Valdez, Matt Williams and Kerry Wood.

Among the big names in that list:
- Albert Pujols
- Roger Clemens
- Barry Bonds
- Jeff Bagwell
- Nomar Garciaparra
- Jason Varitek
- Sammy Sosa
- Mark McGwire

Some we figured, but Pujols? Wow.

Among Phillies of the past (no current ones named):
- Abraham Nunez
- Lenny Dykstra
- Ryan Franklin
- Paul Byrd
- David Bell

Nunez? Wow. Would’ve never thought.

It seems pretty legitimate, but again, I stress that we can’t say anything official until the real list comes out at 2 p.m. Let’s not burn these guys at the stake yet.

Bye-bye Rowand, Wade goes nuts

Crazy day.

- Aaron Rowand is a San Francisco Giant. The former Phillies centerfielder signed for 5Y/$60M. Too much? Yes. Necessary? For the Giants, it’s hard to say. They don’t have the offense necessary to be a contender, but in the National League West, with that pitching, nothing isn’t possible.

- For the Phillies, however, it’s an alert. Put it to rest: Rowand is too much at that price and length. 2007 was a career season; he matched that somewhat in 2005; every other year came with injury or mediocre play. He’s a gamer, yes; he’s a chemistry guy, yes; but those things don’t equal a five-year deal.

Still, the Phillies need to make some moves. It’s necessary. If they have just $10M to spend, grab a reliever, grab a low-cost starter, grab an outfielder who could play everyday in right field. Or trade some farmhands for a mid-level starter. Whatever the case, do it. Erik Bedard may not be an option — considering Baltimore claims the Phils don’t have the chips — but here’s a name I’ll throw out: Ian Snell. The righthander has an ERA below 4 and could provide a perfect No. 3 in the rotation. Of course, Baseball-Reference compares him to … this guy.

Whatever the case, the Phils need to spend. They don’t need to spend like the Cubs, or even like the Giants. But to win the East, they need to show some force. Be aggressive.

- Also today, Ed Wade continued his demolition of the Astros farm system by acquiring Miguel Tejada for five players, including former Phillie prospect Mike Costanzo. Too much? Yes. Necessary? Yes.

What? Necessary? Let me explain:

The Astros are in the NL Central.

That’s it. With Tejada on board, the Astros feature a nice lineup. Their order goes from Bourn to Pence to Berkman to Lee to Tejada. Now, I don’t think Tejada is the same player he was five years ago (which is why I think Wade gave up far too much, not to mention Tejada can ask for a trade at the end of 2008), but as the tertiary compliment on a team, he becomes valuable. And for one year, the ’stros can bash the heck out of the Central, using mediocre pitching and powerful hitting to win their division.

Sound familiar?

Rumor: Iguchi could play third for Phillies in 2008

Todd Zolecki is reporting the Phillies have renewed interest in Tadahito Iguchi.

Pat Gillick told reporters the second baseman who provided a huge lift off the bench during Chase Utley’s injury and beyond may be more receptive about the prospect of playing third base next season. This is after saying about a month ago that he wanted to start at second base for a Major League team. He hasn’t been rumored in much anything since.

Iguchi, who turned 33 today, went .304/.361/.442 for the Phils in abbreviated action in 2007. Total, he went .276/.347/.421 with 9 home runs and 43 runs batted in.

Iguchi doesn’t mean a huge upgrade at third base, let’s get that straight. He isn’t quite capable of a 20-home run season, nor is he truly capable of a .300 season. Is it a cheap solution at a weakness position? Yes. Is it overwhelmingly strong? No.

Of course, one can’t think Wes Helms will duplicate the same terrible play he exhibited in 2007. But if the Phils brought back Iguchi, Helms would become immediately expendable. But he’s likely worth something greater than a bag of balls and something less than an actual Major League-ready player.

Jimmy Rollins wins NL MVP

Jimmy Rollins: MVP.

A look at the moments that made 2007 the Year of J-Roll.

Jan. 22: Rollins to Mets: Beat us.

The year began with a boom in the National League East, as Rollins admitted the Phillies were superior (on paper) than their New York rivals. It lit a fire under the Mets, who opened the season with a lead in the East, including a big series win against Rollins (who made a crucial error) and the Phils at Shea Stadium. But, as we know, the fire wasn’t made to last for six months.

April 25: After starting the season 4-11, Rollins helps lead the Phillies to a fifth win in a row, a 9-3 win over Washington. Rollins knocks his eighth homer of the season, keeping the National League lead. He upped his slugging percentage to .659.

June 5-7: The month of May was not particularly good for J-Roll, but he came back strong in June, going 7-14 with a home run, 4 RBIs and 2 SBs in a crucial 3-game sweep of the Mets at Shea.

July 13-14: Maybe feeling snubbed after the All Star Game, which he wasn’t picked to attend, Rollins goes a combined 6-10 with homers in back-to-back games agasint the Cardinals, preventing the team’s 10,000th loss for a short while. Rollins got pushed aside by Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez and the Brewers’ JJ Hardy.

August 27-30: Rollins puts together four consecutive multi-hit games, knocking two homers and getting on base half the time against the Mets in a gigantic four-game sweep at the Vault. It pulls the Phils close to the Mets and sets up a September to remember.

September 15: Rollins strikes a pitch to centerfield in the eighth inning of a tie game against the Mets at Shea. Carlos Beltran, usually a rock in center, misplays the fly and has to backtrack. His glove doesn’t reach the ball, sailing over his head and to the wall. Rollins barrels into third base with his 18th triple of the season, scoring Wes Helms and Pete LaForest and giving the Phils the lead. The Phils would win, sweeping the Mets and preparing the team for a final two-week surge for the NL East title.

September 30: The final game of the regular season. The Phillies and Mets are tied for first place in the NL East, and already in Queens, the Mets are down 7-1 to the Marlins. Jimmy Rollins leads off the Phillies offense with a single. Then he steals second. Then he steals third. Chase Utley flies a shallow pop to right field, and Rollins, probably biting his nails at the chance, takes off once the ball hits the mit. He charges the line and comes home standing up. 1-0 Phils.

Later, Rollins gets on base via a walk. Standing at second, he waits as Ryan Howard unloads on a pitch and drives it just over the head of Rafael Belliard and into shallow right field. Yet again, Rollins is off. The throw comes in, but Rollins is way ahead of it, and begins his slide from about halfway down the third base line. he slides right across the plate, like a glass plate on a sheet of ice, gliding to the end of the circle, where he stands and gets a big hand from Aaron Rowand.

Then, with the Phils needing an insurance run, two are on base. Rollins comes to the plate, the crowd going nuts, anticipating something — it’s going to be big, they just know it. He finds his pitch and rips the ball on a line down the first base line. One run scores. Two runs score. The cameras show Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand cheering the runs on, then Rowand points excitedly to second base — Jimmy hasn’t stopped. The throw comes in, Rollins is on his horse, Burrell is jumping in the dugout … slide … safe.

Wheeler and Matthews go crazy. The fans go crazy. Rollins raises his arms in the air and claps. Triple No. 20. The 20-20-20-20 season is complete. Rollins’ MVP victory is solidified. Rollins’ preseason words are vindicated. It’s the best moment of the season … of his career — until one hour later.

Did you know Rollins missed only 12 innings of baseball in 2007? Twelve! ! That’s a gamer.

Congratulations, Jimmy Rollins, 2007 Most Valuable Player of the National League.

Sox re-sign Lowell; Phils almost won

Mike Lowell signed with the Red Sox. It’s a 3-year/$37.5M deal.

Reports are the Phillies had a conference call with Lowell last night, and offered 4 years/$50M. In fact, there was an hour, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney, when the deal seemed done.

Same price, one more year, no go. Does it mean Lowell didn’t want to play in Philly, or that Lowell really wanted to go back to Boston? I’d say the latter — Lowell wanted to go back, and merely was hoping Boston would match the Phils’ money. Three or four years, Lowell gets to play long-term the place he liked most.

For the Phils, what’s next?

Yes, the offer shows the Phils were willing to spend big money on what was perceived to be a low priority. Also, it shows — as Rotoworld put it — the Phils “have been lying to pretty much everyone.” Which is great, if true — the Phils may very well be dedicated to winning, despite the critics and us bloggers who only get the rumor mill. Let them work the lines. It doesn’t mean, however, that they’re going to fill third base with something other than Helms/Dobbs/Bruntlett. The price has to be right.

Free agent third basemen:
- Corey Koskie
- Mike Lamb
- Pedro Feliz
- Tadahito Iguchi?
- Marcus Giles?

Possible trade bait:
- Joe Crede
- Hank Blalock
- Miguel Tejada

Are any of these options any better than the perceived Helms/Dobbs/Bruntlett platoon? Maybe, but for the money, probably not. Maybe Tejada — if the Phils can swing a deal that doesn’t involve Carlos Carrasco/Joe Savery/Josh Outman/Shane Victorino — but is that likely? I’ll take Koskie on a 1Y/$2M flier; honestly, that’s about it. It may be better to hold onto third base, and try to upgrade right field. Now.

breaking news: Phillies re-sign Romero

The Phillies and JC Romero have agreed to terms, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

It’s a multi-year deal, but no figures have been released yet. Romero went 1-2 with a 1.24 ERA with the Phils, helping to get them into the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

So now, the Phillies potential bullpen is shaped up like this:

Relievers: Clay Condrey / Mike Zagurski / Francisco Rosario / Ryan Madson / JC Romero / Tom Gordon / Brad Lidge

More information when it comes.

UPDATE: It’s a three-year deal worth $12M, with a fourth-year option at $4.75M.

Wow. I stand by my remarks that this is overpaying for a guy who isn’t certain to duplicate his 2007 success. I can’t see Ron Mahay or Jeremy Affeldt getting deals this large. As it stands, the Phils now have an added $11 million to pay in 2008, meaning they have about $9 million remaining to spend. This certainly won’t get them a premiere pitcher; more than likely, they’ll add a middling reliever and a couple stopgaps for the offense. The Rowand re-signing looks very unlikely.

Breaking news: Phillies trade for Lidge

Michael Bourn, Mike Costanzo and Geoff Geary were dealt to the Astros for Eric Bruntlett and Brad Lidge.

The obvious take is: This improves the bullpen.

Let’s break it down.

Phils Lose:
- Michael Bourn: Clearly the biggest loss of the deal. Bourn was the fourth outfielder, and a possible future starter. We’ll most miss his blinding speed (he may be the fastest guy in the game) and his fine glove. Pat Gillick better look hard for another outfielder, because if we lose Aaron Rowand, I’m not comfortable with Burrell/Victorino/Werth.
- Mike Costanzo: A top-10 prospect for us, he’s got a powerful bat but limited abilities elsewhere. I really don’t mind losing him, as the Phils don’t need another power bat with strikeout tendencies on the big club.
- Geoff Geary: Actually, this irks me a bit, as Geary could’ve filled in the 5th/6th inning role well. Of course, I believe he was either Majors or waivers, so maybe this wasn’t a bad cut.

Phils Get:
- Brad Lidge: The former All Star closer is 30 and going into his seventh year in the majors. He has saved 122 games in the past four years, but his 2006 was horrendous, as he stunk it up with a Phillie-quality 5.28 ERA. He rebounded in 2007 in a closer/setup role with a 3.36 ERA and 1.254 WHIP. He strikes out a lot of guys and if he returns to his 2004 peak, he’d be absolutely stunning in the closer role.
- Eric Bruntlett: Not known for his offense (zero homers the last two years), Bruntlett is your new Abraham Nunez. Then again, he committed eight errors in 73 games last season. That’s not exactly defensive replacement material, but his nickname is “Superman,” so we’ll see. Almost a throw in, and I suppose he’s equal to Geary in this deal.

What it means:

The Associated Press and Jerry Crasnick are saying the Brett Myers 9th inning era is done in Philadelphia, the thrilling climax being “Curve ball struck ‘im out! Phillies are 2007 National League Eastern Division champions!”

If Myers moves back to the rotation, it basically solves the rotation problem (though acquiring one of those cheap No. 4 or 5 options wouldn’t hurt). But the bullpen …

Rotation: Hamels/Myers/Moyer/Kendrick/Eaton
Bullpen: Condrey/Zagurski/Rosario (or Mateo)/Madson/Romero (or other)/Gordon/Lidge

We need someone else. I’d make the push for Francisco Cordero and drive Lidge to the 8th, pushing Gordon to a filler role and ditching Rosario.

If Myers remains the closer, the rotation still needs an arm. There’s talk of the Phils being interested in Japanese hurler Hirodi Kuroka. He’d make sense as a possible No. 2. As would my previous option, Bartolo Colon.

Rotation: Hamels/FILL/Moyer/Kendrick/Eaton
Bullpen: Condrey/Zagurski/Madson/Romero (or other)/Gordon/Lidge/Myers

We still need that LOOGY, and re-signing Romero becomes priority 1. But again, if Myers moves back to the rotation, I’m not completely comfortable with Lidge closing games. I’d like to see the team make the push for Cordero.

How’d they do?

Well, we won’t know that answer for some time, but this has the potential to be a great deal. If Lidge can at least play like he did last season, it immediately upgrades our weakest place. And we filled one of our necessities: grabbing a guy with experience who can setup in the 8th (or close in the 9th). Yes, we gave away Bourn, but the stark reality is he wasn’t starting this year. Even if the Phils lose Aaron Rowand, Jayson Werth will be in right field. In fact, this may signal that the Phils and Rowand are very close to something; if this is the case, I have no problems with losing Bourn. But if Rowand walks, it becomes a necessity to grab at least a fourth outfielder.

Mike Costanzo isn’t quite an everyday Major League player. He strikes out a ton and plays horrid defense. As a third baseman, defense is paramount; moreover, he wouldn’t be moving to first base anytime soon with what’s there now. Costanzo simply was not the third base answer for the big club. Geary could’ve been valuable in the 5th/6th innings, and maybe the Phils could’ve given up someone else, but middle relievers of Geary’s talents are a dime a dozen (we have a bunch of them).

Finally, Lidge has $6M+ coming his way in 2008, and we’ll be paying almost all of that. Not bad; we have about $14M to spend on either a starter or a reliever, Romero and another offensive bat. Should work.

For now, I give the Phillies a 5.5 on the deal. If Lidge performs well and the Phils upgrade another two pitching spots, it’s a clear win.