LATEST STORIES FROM THE RECLINER GM

Recapping the Phillies’ off-season, and a 1st crack at the 25-man roster

Apologies for the severe lack of posts – lots of non-blog related life events going on recently. This is about the time of year I forget about everything that happened to the Phillies in 2011 and start getting really excited for 2012. Since I haven’t been able to examine each move individually, I figured I’d do an overview of all the moves they’ve made now...
Via The Recliner GM  |  17 days ago
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The Philly Fifty, #29: Billy Cunningham, Sixers

For the complete list and explanation of criteria and scoring, check out the Philly Fifty page Longevity – 4 Cunningham played 9 years here with two stints with the Sixers. He started off his NBA career with 7 years here, then took a 2 years hiatus to the Carolina Cougars of the ABA, only to return to the Sixers for his final two seasons. Peak – 4 Cunningham made first...
Via The Recliner GM  |  24 days ago
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The Philly Fifty, #30: Steve Van Buren, Eagles

For the complete list and explanation of criteria and scoring, check out the Philly Fifty page Longevity – 3 Played 8 seasons, his entire career, with the Eagles. Was drafted in 1944 out of LSU with the 5th overall pick and played until he was 31. Peak – 4 A top-5 player at any position for much of his career. Led the league in rushing yards and total touchdowns in the...
Via The Recliner GM  |  January 14, 2012
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The Sixers’ early returns: How players are stacking up

The Sixers’ probably should be 4-1 right now, with a bad loss to a mediocre Jazz team, but I’m not going to complain coming home from an unprecedented 5-game road trip to start the season at 3-2. 5 games isn’t enough to make full blown proclamations about players, but it does give you a chance to see how players’ games might have changed from the prior...
Via The Recliner GM  |  January 05, 2012
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2011-12 NBA Preview: Atlantic Division and Wrap-Up

Previous NBA Previews: Central DivisionNorthwest DivisionSoutheast DivisionSouthwest DivisionPacific Division 1. Boston Celtics (3rd in East, 7th in NBA) Who is new: Brandon Bass, Keyon Dooling, Chris Wilcox, JaJuan Johnson, E’Tuan Moore Why are they here: Certainly not because of how they played to start the season. With Jeff Green gone for the year and Paul Pierce hurt, the Celts...
Via The Recliner GM  |  December 29, 2011
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2011-12 NBA Preview: Pacific Division

Previous NBA Previews: Central Division Northwest Division Southeast Division Southwest Division  1. Los Angeles Clippers (2nd in West, 4th in NBA) Who is new: Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Caron Butler, Trey Thompkins Why are they here: They went from doormat to title contender real fast in the last two years with the breakout rookie year of Blake Griffin followed by the acquisition...
Via The Recliner GM  |  December 28, 2011
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2011-12 NBA Preview: Southwest Division

Previous NBA Previews: Central Division Northwest Division Southeast Division 1. Dallas Mavericks (3rd in West, 5th in NBA) Who is new: Lamar Odom, Vince Carter, Delonte West Why are they here: The two things that made them different last from year’s past were Tyson Chandler and JJ Barea, both of whom are gone. They replaced two good pieces with one, in Odom, but then made...
Via The Recliner GM  |  December 22, 2011
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2011-12 NBA Preview: Southeast Division

Previous NBA Previews: Central Division Northwest Division  1. Miami Heat (1st in East, 1st in NBA) Who is new: Shane Battier, Norris Cole Why are they here: Came within a couple games of a championship despite the fact that Mike Bibby, Juwan Howard and Zydrunas Ilgauskus all played roles on the team. Most important player: LeBron James. Not sure this needs much of an explanation...
Via The Recliner GM  |  December 20, 2011
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2011-12 NBA Preview: Northwest Division

Previous NBA Previews: Central Division 1. Oklahoma City (1st in West, 2nd in NBA) Who is new: Reggie Jackson Why are they here: They lost to Dallas in the Western Conf. Championship last year and have their full team back, almost all of which is right in the front end of their primes. Most important player: Kendrick Perkins. The Thunder nabbed Perkins last trade deadline and gave...
Via The Recliner GM  |  December 19, 2011
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2011-12 NBA Preview: Central Division

When Sam Dalembert is the best remaining free agent, you know the rosters are set enough to get going on some predictions. Like the NBA season, these previews will be shortened. 1. Chicago Bulls (2nd in East, 3rd in NBA) Who is new: Rip Hamilton, Jimmy Butler Why are they here: Probably the most complete team in the league, but lacking that secondary superstar power Most important...
Via The Recliner GM  |  December 17, 2011
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Jimmy’s back! Now let’s watch him break records

Jerry Crasnick was the first to report that Jimmy Rollins will back in Philadelphia on a 3-year deal with a easily vesting 4th year. The yearly dollars have not been reported yet, but I’m sure they are high (update: looks like $11 mill a year, actually not that bad), and frankly don’t really care. I’m thrilled to have Rollins on board for the long term. Rollins...
Via The Recliner GM  |  December 17, 2011
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The Philly Fifty, #31: Pete Alexander, Phillies

For the complete list and explanation of criteria and scoring, check out the Philly Fifty page Longevity – 3 Alexander played for the Phillies for the first 7 years of his career, from 1911-1917, ages 24-30. He pitched 21 innings for the Phillies in his final season, in 1930, at age 43. Peak – 5 Absolutely one of the best pitchers to ever play the game. In his seven years with...
Via The Recliner GM  |  December 09, 2011
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Ramirez/Galvis or Rollins/Polanco: Who you got?

Brotherly Glove beat me to it here, and I’m sure others will do similar stories, but here is my take on today’s winter meeting development that the Phillies have balked at J-Roll’s insistence on a 5-year deal and have turned their attention to 3B Aramis Ramirez while exploring trades for Placido Polanco. The basic question I want to answer (ignoring the implications...
Via The Recliner GM  |  December 05, 2011
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Thad Young talks to Denver – Someone wake up Rod Thorn

This is LITERALLY the first rumor I’ve seen associated with the Sixers or any player on the Sixers other than us being one of like 15 teams interested in Bostjan Nachbar. Rod Thorn is either the least active GM around, or the sneakiest. I know what my money is on. Anyway, the rumor is that Thad Young had a meeting with the Nuggets today, it went very well, and they plan to...
Via The Recliner GM  |  December 05, 2011
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The NBA is back! 10 questions for the Sixers

The Sixers are coming back! As you know by now, a last second deal saved the NBA season, and games will resume on Christmas Day. While this is likely more exciting for fans of the Heat, Knicks, Thunder, Mavs, etc…, Sixers fans have plenty to look forward to as well. For me personally, here are the 10 questions I have heading into the 2011-12 season. 1. What will we learn about...
Via The Recliner GM  |  November 27, 2011
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The Philly Fifty, #32: Maurice Cheeks, Sixers

For the complete list and explanation of criteria and scoring, check out the Philly Fifty page Longevity – 5 Cheeks, drafted in the 2nd round out of West Texas A&M University, spent the first 11 seasons of his career in Philadelphia from 1978 to 1989. Peak – 3 Cheeks was a very, very good player, but was never the best player on his own team. He was never selected...
Via The Recliner GM  |  November 22, 2011
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Phillies boost bench, 3B, add Ty Wigginton

In a saavy move (did Gillick lock Ruben in the closet and make the call?), the Phillies acquired Ty Wigginton, and his giant head, from the Rockies for a player-to-be-named or cash. Wigginton will give the Phillies 70% of what Michael Cuddyer might have, but at a fraction of the cost ($4 million, with a $4 million option for next year) and risk. Though he’s not a great defensive...
Via The Recliner GM  |  November 20, 2011
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Updated Phillies Payroll Analysis and Org. Depth Chart

With player movement in full swing, I’ll try to get this updated (it’s always available on the right side-bar) as often as I can. First, let’s take a look at our payroll situation post-Papelbon. The players are in order of team control (oh, hey Ryan Howard), and in secondary order by salary amount. And it goes out as far as we have salary obligations. Some comments...
Via The Recliner GM  |  November 18, 2011
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Phillies Agree With Jonathan Papelbon…We Think

Jim Salisbury is reporting on Twitter that… The Phils and Papelbon have reached agreement sources tell CSNPhilly.com. Pending physical. My initial reaction is… it better be for less than 4 years, $44 million, because I would have greatly preferred to retain Madson. Papelbon was extremely dominant his first 4 years as a closer, but somewhat shaky the last two. On the plus side...
Via The Recliner GM  |  November 11, 2011
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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...
Via The Recliner GM  |  November 08, 2011
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Jim Thome returns to Phils!

My Internet is broken so this will be short as I’m doing this on my phone. Anyway, Twitter is telling me that the Phillies have signed Jim Thome to a 1-year contract to presumably help at 1b until Howard gets back and then play a bench role after that. Thome can certainly still swing the bat – but it’s curious that he would choose to come back to the NL, where there is no...
Via The Recliner GM  |  November 04, 2011
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The Philly Fifty, #33: Randall Cunningham, Eagles

For the complete list and explanation of criteria and scoring, check out the Philly Fifty page Longevity – 5 Randall was drafted by the Eagles in the 2nd round of the 1985 draft. He would spend his first 11 seasons in the league with the Birds. Peak – 3 His best season as an Eagles was 1990, where he passed for 3,466 yards and 30 TD while rushing for 942 yards and 5...
Via The Recliner GM  |  November 03, 2011
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MLBTR Top-50 Free Agents: Who the Phillies should target, and avoid

There are tons of top-50 free agents lists out there. MLBTR is as good as any to look at. About that Ryan Howard contract… 1. Albert Pujols – I would be surprised if he left St. Louis. They’ve got some more cash to play with after the playoff run 2. Prince Fielder – I think his best fit is Texas, if he wants to win. Cubs are also a possible landing spot, with...
Via The Recliner GM  |  November 02, 2011
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The Philly Fifty, #34: Harold Carmichael, Eagles

For the complete list and explanation of criteria and scoring, check out the Philly Fifty page Longevity – 5 Carmichael played 13 years and 180 games for the Eagles. The only players to play in more are David Akers (188) and Brian Dawkins (183). Peak – 3 His best season was probably 1973 when he led the league in receptions and yards. He was often a very good player...
Via The Recliner GM  |  October 27, 2011
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A quick look at the Phillies’ financial situation

I’m still not quite ready to go into full off-season mode, but this will at least provide a place to talk about the Phillies without having to stare at the post written about us losing. Below you will find a breakdown of the Phillies payroll in 2011 vs. 2012. You can see what is coming off the books, what we are adding, and where there are still question marks. So, by my...
Via The Recliner GM  |  October 26, 2011
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