Before the Lieber signing broke, I was pondering the meanging behind the Phillies offering Placido Polanco arbitration. So, I decided to ask someone who might have a bit more inside knowledge than I do, Todd Zolecki of the Inqy:
Q. I was surprised to see that the Phillies offered Placido Polanco arbitration. Did they make the offer because they are fairly certain he will leave no matter what and therefore they could gain a draft pick? Or, are they really looking to have him with the club in 2005?
Tom G, Glen Allen, VA 12/08/04A. I think that's the case. The Phillies are making it clear that if Polanco accepts, he'll be coming off the bench and that Utley is their everyday second baseman. They lost a first-round pick by signing Lieber, but would gain a first or second-round pick if Polanco signs somewhere else. Todd Zolecki 12/08/04.
Reading between the lines, it seems to make sense. What certainly did not make sense was the Phillies offering arbitration to Doug Glanville, but Mr. Zolecki had an answer for that as well:
Q. Todd, Why did the Phillies offer Doug Glanville arbitration? The man absolutely cannot hit. Doc, Cherry Hill, NJ 12/08/04
A. It's a favor to Glanville. Glanville has the understanding that he won't accept arbitration. This just allows the Phillies to continue their dialogue with Glanville while he pursues other opportunities.
Todd Zolecki 12/08/04
Finally, someone stumped the Todd-the-Answer-Man (I copied/pasted this verbatim, caps and all) :
Q. WHY THEY CALLED THE WASHINGTONNATIONALS FROM THE EXPOS BASEBALL TEAM,WHO IS GOING TO BUILD A BASEBALL BALLPARK FOR THE EXPOS IN DC.
PATRICK L ESTWICK, PHILADELPHIA,PA 12/07/04A. OK.
Todd Zolecki 12/08/04
Good effort Todd, way to hustle. There wasn't much you could do with that one.
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Speaking of the Lieber signing, am I the only one that finds it interesting that the Phillies have a Lieber and a Lieberthal? Does that mean that there will be a Lieberbattery every fifth day in the summer? (bada, baahh)
