Au Contreras (Phillies Feb 2)

Is it Ground Hog Day for the Phillies? Remember the Bill Murray flick named after the famous day held in Punxsutawney, PA. Of course you do.

If you recall Murray kept repeating the same day, Ground Hog Day, over and over again until essentially he got it right. Hopefully the Phillies will repeat their trips to the World Series in order to make things right again!

So far Ruben Amaro has been fairly busy to help make that happen. He’s still at it. The latest? RHP Jose Contreras. Yes he of Yankees, White Sox and Rockies fame.

The aging right hander has had a solid career. He is reportedly 38 years old however. That in itself does not mean he can’t pitch anymore. In fact he was still effective in relief for the Rockies last season and has reached the point in his career where perhaps that is his gig now. Ala Chan Ho Park. Which let’s face it, that is what this move is all about. This is to sure up the long middle situations and perhaps even some later inning jams. Ironically he could also prove an asset as a 5th starter at times, depending on the production of Jamie Moyer and/or Kyle Kendrick. In fact according to Phillies.com Jose will work out of the rotation in the spring. Which actually is a good idea for a couple reasons.

1- If he indeed takes the 5th spot.

2 – Normally for the bulk of the spring the starters only go for 2-4 inning stretches. Assuming that Contreras is a long middle guy than 3 innings is great practice for the real deal.

Contreras signed a $1,500,000 one year deal. He wants to start but the Phillies were very clear that they would prefer using him in relief. Considering the opportunity to pitch and win he reportedly told Ruben Amaro he would be the bat boy if they needed him too. And I’m sure coming to the reigning NL Champions doesn’t hurt either. He also has a World Championship with the White Sox in 2005 that he wishes to taste again.

“When Colorado told me I was going to the bullpen, I wasn’t sure and comfortable, but everything went fine and I felt pretty good,” Contreras said.

SPLITS	G	GS	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	P/GS	WHIP	BAA	ERA
Season	28	23	0	0	131.2	141	86	72	13	53	106	6	13	93.2	1.47	.272	4.92
Career	191	175	5	3	1083.2	1092	617	555	124	394	799	71	63	97.3	1.37	.260	4.61

PhilliesMania take:

Well honestly this was a move you needed. There are not many good arms just waiting to be signed. And trading for young arms wasn’t an option to Ruben Amaro. For one he already feels he has some young arms. And 2 it would take trading young arms to get younger players. The better trades aren’t usually available until July anyhow.

With Chan Ho Park gone you needed to have a guy who can give you long appearances. And then you have the uncertainty of the health of J C Romero who can also fill that role. Plus you have question marks coming off of last season. Lidge is still a big question. Of course Contreras isn’t relevant there. But having him makes Baez flexible. And clearly Contreras could bail you out if you needed a start here or there.

Over all I am good with this. Not overly excited but not like “is this the best you could do?” Time will tell just how much impact this has.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

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