Mailbag: Why pass on Sosa?

02/20/2006
Considering the Phillies need a fifth outfielder with power off the bench, why didn't the Phillies make a run at Sammy Sosa? Obviously he plans to retire now, but what about before when the Nationals had so much interest in him? -- Dale J., Yardley, Pa.
The Phillies reached the same conclusion as the other 29 teams in baseball -- that Sosa wasn't worth a guaranteed Major League deal. The 37-year-old right fielder batted .221 with 14 homers and 45 RBIs in 102 games, and dealt with multiple injuries of the past few seasons. It's pretty telling when the only offer he received was a $500,000 non-guaranteed contract from the Nationals. He's one of the most prolific home run hitters in the history of the game -- and it's understandable to hope for one more year from a guy with that kind of history -- but his career has appeared to have come to an end.
Where do prospects Gio Gonzalez and Chris Booker fit into the Phillies' bullpen plans? -- Michael R., Hialeah, Fla.
Gonzalez, the better of the two pitchers received from the White Sox, is expected to be part of a dominating rotation at Double-A Reading that should also include Cole Hamels, Scott Mathieson and Daniel Haigwood. Hamels and Gonzalez should finish the season at Triple-A or the Majors.
Booker isn't an impact prospect. The 29-year-old is a Rule 5 Draft selection and must remain on the team's 25-man roster all season or be offered back to the Nationals. The Phillies will give him a long look for a bullpen job. The problem is that he's been slowed by a left knee injury. Shane Victorino was a Rule 5 draftee last season and he didn't make the team. He remained in the organization because the Phillies worked out a trade with Los Angeles.
How much longer do you think Arthur Rhodes has until he retires or starts to slow down? -- Elmo C., Philadelphia
Rhodes would like to pitch until he's 40, which would be four more seasons. Whether his body allows for that is another matter. Lefties have a way of hanging around, but Rhodes proved last season that he can still be an effective late-inning reliever.
Did the Phillies receive any compensation for losing Billy Wagner? And if not, why not? -- John D., Philadelphia
Since Wagner was a Type-A free agent, the Phillies will receive the Mets' first-round pick in the 2006 First-Year Entry Draft and a supplemental pick after the first round. The Phillies lost their own first-round pick, however, for signing Tom Gordon.
Where does outfield prospect Shawn Garrett, recently acquired from the A's Triple-A club, fit in? He had some really decent stats. -- Bill B., Mattoon, Ill.
At this point, it's tough to say. He'll probably be in the mix with Josh Kroeger for the fifth outfielder's job, but manager Charlie Manuel plans to play utility infielders Alex S. Gonzalez, Tomas Perez and Abraham Nunez in the outfield as well. Garrett, 27, had a solid season at Sacramento -- batting .295 with 17 homers -- but those Pacific Coast League stats have a way of inflating true performance.
I see the Phillies as being about as good as they were last year. Why didn't they try and get a definite No. 1 pitcher, or are they expecting Randy Wolf to be it? -- David P., Lebanon, Pa.
They tried for a No. 1 starter, but teams weren't willing to take Bobby Abreu or his mighty salary. The fact that Javier Vazquez and Josh Beckett were the only "aces" acquired says a lot about the thin trade market. If you're wondering why the Phillies didn't try to get one of those guys, it's because neither the Marlins or Diamondbacks could take on salary. As for Wolf, he's not expected back until July. I think a more likely reinforcement will be Hamels, Gavin Floyd or Rob Tejeda.
With three quality left-handed relief pitchers in the Phillies bullpen, who will get the majority of the innings? -- Nick F., Willow Grove, Pa.
Whoever is pitching the best. Rhodes is the eighth-inning setup man, and Rheal Cormier and Aaron Fultz are similar, so it's whoever Manuel feels is the best option.
What are the Phillies planning to do with Scott Mathieson? Is he going to get any Major League playing time this year? -- Mike A., Mt. Laurel, N.J.
He'll start the season at Double-A. I doubt he'll see any big-league time unless it's as a September callup.

Source: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/