On Thursday, the Phillies signed outfielder Dewayne Wise to a minor league contract. Also, Jamie Moyer was hospitalized earlier in the day, as a result of some minor complications following his sports hernia surgery earlier in the month.
According to mlb.com, Moyer has a blood infection, however the hospitalization is only a precautionary measure. Moyer is feeling comfortable and doctors hope that he can be ready for spring training. Moyer will compete for the role as the team's fifth starter if he is healthy.
Wise, 31, has spent the last two years with the Chicago White Sox. He may be best known for his ninth-inning acrobatic catch to help preserve Mark Buehrle's perfect game. Wise has above average skills in the outfield, often being called upon by the White Sox to roam centerfield late in games.
SInce being called up to the big leagues in 2000, Wise's 162 at-bats in 2004 was his highest total for any season. Wise is only a .216 career hitter, but his speed and prowess as a defensive outfielder may help him in trying to crack the Phillies roster.
The Phillies also agreed to minor league deals with SS WIlson Valdez and 1B Andy Tracy. Tracy totaled only 12 at-bats for the Phillies last year, while Valdez tallied 86 for the injury-riddled Mets. Neither player will make the Phillies big league squad, especially after the signing of utility man Juan Castro.
Comments
So do you think this is the end of Stair's career with the Phillies?
So do you think this is the end of Stairs's career with the Phillies?
Although Im not too sure Stairs will be with the team at the start of the 2010 season, this doesn't signal the end of his career in Philly. Stairs remains the teams best left-handed power hitting bat off the bench. Wise is a right-handed hitter with minimal power and he has to really have a good spring training to even make the opening day roster.
Correction, Wise is a left-handed hitter, however it does not change the fact that he is not a great hitter and not a good option for the Phillies off of the bench.
gotta love the phillies and their weird pick-ups...
Very good article!
Thank you Alicia, lets hope that Moyer will be well enough to fight for that fifth spot in the rotation.
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