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One part of this week's MLB Winter Meetings that typically grabs interest related to the minor leagues is the annual Rule 5 Draft. Players are eligible for selection in the Rule 5 draft when they are not on their major league organization's 40 man roster and 1) were signed to a contract at age 19 or older and have been in that organization for four years, OR 2) were signed at age 18 or younger and have been in that organization for five years. Once a player is chosen in the Rule 5 Draft, that player is automatically assigned to his new organization's 40-man roster. A Rule 5 player must remain on the selecting team's 25-man big league roster for the entire next season, or be offered back to his original team. Draft order lists the Phillies 15th in this year's Rule 5 Draft. Four of the teams set to pick ahead of the Phils do not currently have room on their 40-man roster, thus they would not get to pick. The Phils head into it this week's Winter Me...

In their first move at the annual MLB Winter Meetings, the Phillies announced the signing of free agent right-hander David Hernandez to a one-year deal. The 30-year-old is a veteran of six big league seasons and was originally a 16th round draft selection by Baltimore in 2005. In 40 appearances last season for Arizona, Hernandez sported a 1-5 record along with a 4.38 ERA. This signing by Philadelphia will help to fill out the bullpen, but should not be expected to improve it. As seen in the embedded tweet below, Hernandez has very similar career numbers to departed righty reliever Justin De Fratus . Phils RHP acquisition David Hernandez- 4.15ERA, 1.32WHIP, 9.0K/9, 3.8BB/9. Departed RHP Justin DeFratus- 4.08ERA, 1.37WHIP, 7.9K/9, 3.6BB/9. — Jay Floyd (@PhoulBallz) December 9, 2015 Additionally, reports out of the Winter Meetings also mention continued dialogue between the Phils and Astros regarding closer Ken Giles. Phils and Astros have been talking about Giles all week....

Hopes were high, like always, for Phillies fans on Wednesday, as word trickled out of the Baseball Winter Meetings that there was a chance that Ryan Madson could accept arbitration with the Phillies. The thought of having two top level back-end-of-the-bullpen guys to go along with three elite starting pitchers had folks quite excited. However, at the end of the day, it was not to be. Madson's chance to join newly signed closer Jonathan Papelbon as well as his former All-Star teammates Roy Halladay , Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels came and went, as he declined the Phillies' offer prior to the 11:59 PM deadline. Returning to the Phillies would likely have enabled Madson, who has appeared in more games with the Phillies than any other pitcher not named Roberts or Carlton, to cash in a sizable free agent payday following the 2012 season. However, returning to a set up role in Philadelphia may have hindered his ability to cash in as a closer, a job he rocked well in 2011, as...

While several free agent and potential trade names have been floated around at this week's Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida, with the Phillies organization attached to them, the moves that the Phils have actually made were of minimal impact at the minor league level. In an effort to clear space on their 40-man roster, the Phillies released pitchers Yohan Flande (pictured) and Jesus Sanchez. Flande, a Dominican lefty hurler that will turn 25 years old prior to spring training, is currently pitching for the Toros in the Dominican Winter Baseball League. In 6 games (4 starts), Flande has posted a 1-1 record with a 4.91 ERA and a .303 batting average against for the Toros. In 27 starts for the Double A Reading Phillies this year, Flande went 10-8 with a 4.38 ERA. The right-handed Sanchez performed well this season with the High A level Clearwater Threshers as a starting pitcher. In 23 games (22 starts), Sanchez, who turned 23 years old after the season, posted a 9-7 record with a 2....

The Phillies are just about ready to wrap things up at this year's Winter Meetings in Indianapolis. Wednesday was the third day of the meetings, and, while the team was involved in many rumors, the Phillies didn't make any moves. The Ross Gload deal is technically pending until Gload passes a physical. Brandon Lyon agreed to terms on a 3 yr/$15 million deal with Ed Wade's Astros. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro stated that the Phillies were involved deeply in negotiations with Lyon but that Wade stole him away. Rumors surfaced that the Phillies were in the mix again for a trade with Toronto involving ace pitcher Roy Halladay. Talks mainly had names like Domonic Brown and Michael Taylor attached, but GM Ruben Amaro stated Thursday morning that a big trade like that getting done is not likely. On Wednesday, Brown was named to the 22 player Arizona Fall League top prospect team. PhoulBallz interviewed both big OF prospects during their '09 minor league campaigns...here are links i...

Aside from the reported 3-team blockbuster involving the Yankees, D-Backs and Tigers that moved Curtis Granderson, Edwin Jackson and Max Scherzer, the biggest deal of the meetings thus far has been the impending move of reporter Peter Gammons from ESPN to MLB media and NESN. MLB.com's Mike Siano and other sources report the deal is done and the crossover will coincide with the new year. The Phillies added more reserve depth by signing OF/1B Ross Gload on Tuesday night. Such a move enhances what became a weak spot for the Phils in 2009, their bench. More on Gload's signing from PhoulBallz here . Regarding the Phillies interest in Brandon Lyon, it is not confirmed that the Phillies have made an offer, but GM Ruben Amaro confirmed the team has offered contracts to players, although he did not believe a deal was close with anyone, prior to the Gload announcement. That could mean any offer to Lyon was possibly a low-ball gesture and the team & player are likely not in the same ...

The Phillies made a move by signing free agent Ross Gload late Tuesday night. Gload, who will turn 34 years old on opening day next year, is a career .283 hitter in 608 Major League games. The lefty hitter, who led the National League in pinch hits this past season, will add depth to the outfield and can play first base. Leading up to the announcement of the signing, rumors had surfaced stating that Gload had 2-year offers on the table from the Braves, Marlins and Phillies. Gload decided to go with the National League champs. While this deal adds depth to the team, it was not a necessary signing. Outfield was likely the area at which the Phillies were best stocked, going into next season. Their three starting positions are filled by a trio of all stars (Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez), while Ben Francisco and his low salary are locked into a back up role. The Phillies have John Mayberry Jr., who played 39 games with the big league Phillies in 2009 and hot prospect ...

Lots of talk, no moves at all for the Phillies on day 1 of the 2009 Winter Meetings in Indianapolis. Relief pitching should be the priority. The Phillies are in the market to retain some of their own, as well as add some players who have become free agents from other team. Near the top of the list seem to be Chan Ho Park returning and perhaps Brandon Lyon, the former Tiger and D-Back. The Phillies met with Park's agent Jeff Borris on Monday, and talks remain ongoing. In 374 career games, the 30 year old Lyon has a 4.20 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Trade rumors mainly surrounded only one current Phillie...Joe Blanton. ESPN's Jayson Stark reported that the Phils quietly let other teams know they'd listen to offers for Blanton. Ideally, they do not wish to trade him, but if the deal could improve the club and/or offer enough salary relief, it could interest the National League champs. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told reporters that re-signing Pedro Martinez is something that cou...

The Phillies made the first roster alteration at the winter meetings on Wednesday, by trading minor league catcher Jason Jaramillo to the Pirates for Ronny Paulino. This trade deepens the Phillies at the catching position and could have other effects on the 2009 team. The move could unofficially end Chris Coste's run as a Phillie. It could also make Carlos Ruiz or even Lou Marson trade bait. Another move that happened on Wednesday that could effect the Phillies down the road is the Yankees signing CC Sabathia. $161 million?! Wow. Now let's look forward to the day when Cole Hamels wants that top free agent pitcher money. Enjoy young Colbert while you can, Phillies phans. New reports about the Phillies' interest in Minnesota's Delmon Young and Chan Ho Park are the buzz today. Park, who was with the Dodgers in 2008, is not the LA pitcher most Phillies phans were hoping for (eh-hem, Derek Lowe!). Park, however, was fairly solid this year posting a 3.40 ERA in over 95 inning...

Two days into the winter meetings in Las Vegas NV, and the Phillies' have made no additions. On day #2, the Phils retained the services of their manager, Charlie Manuel, for an extra season. Charlie's club option for 2010 will be picked up, and Manuel was extended through 2011. Manuel's 2009 salary will be $1.5 million, and just about double that by 2011. Day 1 of the winter meetings was fairly uneventful in Vegas, at least as far as the team roster and staff goes. There was some fun had here at home though. 2007 NL MVP Jimmy Rollins attended the live World Wrestling Entertainment program Monday Night Raw at the Wachovia Center, where he was seated in the front row. A WWE star nicknamed "MVP", Montel Vontavious Porter, targeted Rollins with a Philadelphia diss-filled rant that saw Porter claim he was a real MVP, unlike the fluke J-Roll. Porter also claimed to be better than Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. It was a classic heel tirade. Insult the home crowd...

MLB's winter meetings begin this coming Monday. According to new Phillies general manager Rueben Amaro Jr., the Phils' priorities are to add a starting pitcher and to improve the bullpen. Many expected Jamie Moyer to be re-signed by now, but it is likely that the Phillies are only willing to offer a 1-year contract, while Moyer and his agent, Jim Bronner, are wishing for a 2-year dealio. Derek Lowe's name has been in the media this week as a pitcher the Phillies have had talks with. The gift giving season is also upon us. Phillies Phans young and old alike will have the World Series DVD on the wish lists this month. Allow me to give you a tip on where to find the glorious 8-disc set the cheapest. http://www.deepdiscount.com/viewproduct.htm?productId=54055428 DeepDiscount.com offers the full collector's set for the low price of $48.61, no tax, and shipping included. Amazon.com's item description of the bonus features includes this blurb... Alternate audio tra...