Madson: 4 years, $44 million

[joncarlos]

Oh Ruben Amaro, when will you ever learn?

[revo]

is this a done deal?

[wannabegriffey]

Oh Ruben Amaro, when will you ever learn?

Isn't there currently about 9 'closers' on the free agent market, many with much more experience? What does papelboner think he is going to get now that he has seen this?

[Moonlight J]

Wasn't it 12-18 months ago when they were throwing out a dead-armed Lidge over Madson because they didn't trust Madson in the 9th? 3/24 would have been max for me, and that's pushing it.

[Bodhizefa]

Oh Ruben Amaro, when will you ever learn?

Amaro is always aggressive, and I'm pretty sure he likes it that way. He's much happier going in, guns blazing, and getting all of his business out of the way as soon as possible than he is allowing the market to develop and come to him. He very rarely gets below market deals because of this, but he does always get his targets. There are certainly worse qualities I could envision a GM to have. His schtick obviously wouldn't work in a smaller market, but I think it's okay for a big market like the Phils.

[joncarlos]

is this a done deal?

I'm seeing reports that it might not be a done deal... pending ownership approval, maybe.

Still think Papelboner will be sad when he finds out 3/30 is the best he can get, and I'm not sure who even gives him that.

[Piney Boy]

I'm seeing reports that it might not be a done deal... pending ownership approval, maybe.

Still think Papelboner will be sad when he finds out 3/30 is the best he can get, and I'm not sure who even gives him that.

This is the same I have heard. Supposedly it is awaiting Dave Montgomery's approval which has been "on his desk" for over a day.

I can't find the link where I heard that.

[Erik]

Amaro is always aggressive, and I'm pretty sure he likes it that way. He's much happier going in, guns blazing, and getting all of his business out of the way as soon as possible than he is allowing the market to develop and come to him. He very rarely gets below market deals because of this, but he does always get his targets. There are certainly worse qualities I could envision a GM to have. His schtick obviously wouldn't work in a smaller market, but I think it's okay for a big market like the Phils.

Yep, that's exactly his MO.

It would have been inconceivable to a Phillies fan of 10 years ago that the franchise would be able to do business this way. He just doesn't care about market value because the team isn't operating in the same market.

[SeaDogStat]

This is the same I have heard. Supposedly it is awaiting Dave Montgomery's approval which has been "on his desk" for over a day.

I can't find the link where I heard that.

@jon_Heyman had it this morning on twitter

[Piney Boy]

Yep, that's exactly his MO.

It would have been inconceivable to a Phillies fan of 10 years ago that the franchise would be able to do business this way. He just doesn't care about market value because the team isn't operating in the same market.

Even after the success they have had since buying Thome (the first time)I still can not get used to this. Gone are they days of Jeff Stone, Ron Jones, Chris James, Tyler Green, Mark Grace and such being the future hopes of getting the team to .500.

[Piney Boy]

@jon_Heyman had it this morning on twitter

TY. Forgot to look there. I was checking the Phillies blogs for a link.

[Erik]

Might be held up for a few days until the new CBA is ratified.

[revo]

Even after the success they have had since buying Thome (the first time)I still can not get used to this. Gone are they days of Jeff Stone, Ron Jones, Chris James, Tyler Green, Mark Grace and such being the future hopes of getting the team to .500.

The Phillies have definitely entered the Super Power realm, making it a triumvirate with the Evil Empire and the BoSox.

[Gregg]

I think I read that it is on hold. Maybe someone was reading comments in here?

[Erik]

The most plausible explanation is what I said about the CBA. There's also a rumor that Papelbon is still in the mix and they may be playing the two off of each other.