Monday was the first day for players to file for arbitration. A busy time for the Phillies, who have eight eligible players: Hamels, Howard, Blanton, Victorino, Werth, Durbin, Madson, and Dobbs. In the ideal world, contracts would be signed and arbitration avoided before the start of spring training. Just over a month to go!
Yesterday the Phillies signed 2nd baseman Marcus Giles to a minor league contract in what seems to be a reclamation/insurance move. Chan Ho Park is also now a Phillie.
More on J.C. Romero: No one but Romero and Dong Lien, the Phillies strength and conditioning coach, knew about the arbitration hearing on 10/22. Under the terms of confidentiality determined by MLB and the Players Association, not even the Phillies knew that J.C. had failed a test or any of what subsequently went down. New GM Ruben Amaro, Jr., speaking to reporters this week, indicated that the Phillies learned of the matter only in November. It makes what Romero did in the World Series even more remarkable. He chose, after all, to risk it all, including $1.25 million in salary, in order to stay on the team and play. That's one mentally-tough dude. And we won't be seeing him till June, boo-hoo.
