Phils looking at Garciaparra, Kapler

Word comes from Ken Rosenthal that the Phillies are looking into acquiring Nomar Garciaparra or Gabe Kapler as a right-handed bat off the bench. Nomar hit .264/.326/.466 last, getting on base at basically league average rate with a slightly above average slugging percentage. He does have a very good BB/K ratio going for him (1.36) so maybe the bottom of the order could strikeout a bit less when he manages to get in the lineup.

Kapler looks to be the much smarter acquisition, hitting .301/.340/.498, and his splits vary a bit less versus lefty and righty pitchers than Nomar’s. Kapler seems like a good move here, given that Bruntlett couldn’t get on base very well at all last year (.297 OBP). He would also be good insurance against any sort of Ibanez disaster, which I’m virtually expecting to occur at this point. He’s a free agent and could be had fairly cheaply. Plus, look at the guy, he can be our dreamy Pat Burrell replacement. Go for it Rube!

Phils sign 2B Giles to minor league deal

Marcus Giles, a popular figure in the Rockies’ clubhouse last spring, has regained the fire to play again. The second baseman has signed a $600,000 minor-league deal with the world champion Phillies. Philadelphia has been seeking protection at the position given Chase Utley’s hip surgery, which is expected to sideline him at the beginning of the season.

Source

This may put to rest speculation that the red-hot prospect Jason Donald would be called up in to play in the event that Utley is not ready opening day. Alternatively, it could just be insurance behind Donald.

Either way, it’s a ho-hum acquisition. He had a subpar OBP in 2007 and only hit .229. Defensively, he can field the ball cleanly but has poor range – his inability to get to the ball cost the Padres about 4 runs in 2007. Granted, it’s impossible to replace arguably the best defensive second baseman of the last three years, but it’s fairly easy to do better than Giles.

It’s hard to say much about this one because it’s just a minor league deal, and there is no indication of what his role will be when the season starts. Of course, Utley being ready to play on opening day would make all of this moot.

Chase Utley holds boring press conference

Utley held a press conference this afternoon to update the status of his hip injury. The update is . . . there is no update. His rehab is on track, and he hopes to be ready to go on opening day, although he may require a few weeks beyond that. If he isn’t ready to go in April, I’d sure like to see Jason Donald, who tore up the Arizona Fall League, get a shot.