Beerman’s Report Card: Carlos Ruiz Signing

Beerman’s Report Card will be a biweekly series that will run up to Spring Training. We will look at the signings, resignings and trades that were orchestrated by Ruben Amaro, Jr. this offseason. They will be no particular order; however check back every Tuesday and Thursday for new entries. SIGNING CARLOS RUIZ TO 3 YR/$8.85 [...]

All-Pro Chase Utley

In anticipation of the Super Bowl, Buster Olney mused in his ESPN Insider column yesterday about baseball players that could potentially make it in the NFL. Number 5 on the list was The Man, Chase Utley.  Buster said, “You could see him being a possession receiver who is willing to go over the middle and [...]

Phillies Sign Japanese Players to Minor League Deals

Originally published Feb. 5, 2010. According to Daily Sports Online, the Phillies signed Shigetoshi Yamakita and Naoyo Okamoto to minor league deals.  They each spent 2009 with the Shonan Searex, a minor league team of the Yokohama Bay Stars.  Both players are left-handed pitchers. Yamakita, 32, posted a 2.47 ERA in 27 innings.  Okamoto, 26, had a 5.28 ERA in [...]

Year In Review: Jimmy Rollins

The Philadelphia Phillies are usually playing their best baseball when their spark plug is productive.  “As J-Roll goes, the Phillies go.”  2009 was no different. Before the season started, Rollins batted .417 with a home run and four RBIs for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic.  With the hot start, it was thought that Rollins would [...]

Whom Can We Trust?

I’m not that easily shocked, but something happened to me Wednesday night that I think bears repeating here. I was at a bar with a couple friends, when, realizing that the famed “Pitchers and Catchers” was only a couple weeks away, I let out a sigh and said, almost without thinking, “God, I’m ready for [...]