Madson in at 4/$44 – Cuddyer next? And is this the end for Jimmy?

Sorry for the long title. Trying to get a bunch of Phillies updates into one post. The first order of business is that multiple outlets are reporting that Ryan Madson has re-signed with the Phillies for 4 years, $44 million. It’s certainly a hefty contract for a relief pitcher, and as with all Ruben Amaro contracts, it has one more year than I would like, but all-in-all, I’m happy to have Madson back in the fold. Mainly because of what the other options were: 1. Sign Papelbon to a larger deal because of his name, or sign a seriously-in-decline Heath Bell 2. Roll the dice with Bastardo, and risk downgrading both the 8th and 9th innings Instead, we got Madson for 4 more years, at less per year than what we signed Lidge for in 2008. Add to the fact that we have a lot of potential young, cheap bullpen pieces for those 4 years in Bastardo, Stutes, De Fratus, Schwimer, Aumont and Savery and I’m fine with move. So what’s next? There have been a couple rumors floatin...