Quick Thoughts

Happy Holidays, everyone.

-The Phils should look into signing non-tendered, groundball reliever Dan Kolb to a one-year cheap deal if possible. Sure, he was death last year for the Braves, but with the current state of their pen, it is worth investigating whether or not he could be the 2006 version of the 2005 version of Todd Jones. It's time we got lucky for once.

-The time to trade Bobby Abreu has passed for now, unless the words "Boston Red Sox" and "Matt Clement" are involved, along with a few other words. All other rumored options, including Brad Penny, Derrick Lowe, Brad Lidge, Barry Zuckercorn, or whoever are substandard. Keep him and milk the last few months of his Philadelphia value before trading him next season when the asking price is right.

-Is it possible that moving the fences back in left field could backfire? Who hit more anemic HRs in 2005, the Phils or the opposition?

-Finally, two economists agree/debate about the free agent market, specifcally for relief pitching, over at the Wall Street Journal. Except that they get off on all sorts of tangents, including strikes, stadium deals, and luxury taxes. Well, it was a good idea for story anyway. Conclusion: The cntracts this off-season aren't all that big.