With the beginning of December comes the long awaited winter meetings for the mlb Gm’s. With the fun excitement of arbitration and the first round of free agent signings, the season really starts to heat up with the winter meetings. Teams meet to discuss all manners of baseball, and the fun truely begins.

My phils have made small splashes this off-season, participating in the Soriano race, but ultimately losing out to Chicago. The phils did sign free agent pitcher Adam Eaton, formerly of the Rangers.

You might remember Adam Eaton from his previous stint in the phils farm system. Originally drafted byt the phils in 1996 with 11th pick overall, Eaton was part of a package deal sent to San Diego for Andy Ashby in 99. He posted an ERA of 5.12 with with Rangers last year and a career ERA of 4.40. Eaton signed with the phils for 3 years and $24.5 million, primarily to replace the departing Randy Wolf.

Wolf coming off Tommy John surgery halfway through 05, was not the wolf of old. tossing only 56 innings he ended up with only 4 wins out of 12 starts and a 5.56 ERA. Eaton gad comperable stats, throwing for 65 innings with 7 wins, and 4 losses and a 5.12 ERA.

According to DERA stats (Defense adjusted ERA) and PRAR (Pitching Runs Agaisnt Replacement) it would appear that Eaton does have the slight edge over Wolf. That combined with his age, should show Eaton as more of a value for the phils rotation and a slight upgrade then Wolf.

Along with Meyers, Lieber, Hamels and Moyer the rotation appears to be set. Gillick has made it known that they will be presuing some bullpen help to assist a depleted core with Cormier, Fultz, and White all gone.

Along with the addition of Wes Helms at third the team appears to have made some upgrade. At first glance I dont see any real evidence that the team is fielding a better team then in ’06, but looking at the upgrade at 3b and in the rotation as well as platooning Ruiz and Coste at Catcher there is some potetial. The keys will be what the phils get to put in the bullpen and if they are able to come up with some help in the outfield. Moving Burrell for something may not be as important now after losing out for Soriano unfortunately, need something in Left and a strong bat (as horrible in clutch situation it might be) might be more important then the pipe-dream trade of burrell.

Either way looks to be an exciting offseason as we move forward and fun for the year.

I’m considering a trip to Clearwater for spring training. Oohhhh cant wait!