Shallow | Center

Loudburst

Wags Wages War, Arlen Articulates Awfully

BILLY WAGNER HAD 43 MILLION good reasons to take the high road in yesterday's news conference introducing him to the New York media: He should have talked about how excited he was to be a Met, expressed regret that things didn't work out in Philadelphia, shut his pie hole, and moved on. Instead, he pulled the pin on a couple of hand grenades and lobbed them right into the front office at Citizens Bank Park. Likewise, one of my U.S. senators, Arlen Specter, had quite enough on his plate before weighing in on, of all things, the Terrell Owens situation. Perhaps Sen. Specter's staff needs to remind him that he chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has in front of it the little task of conducting hearings on a nomination for the U.S. Supreme Court. Still, it's prudent to examine the content of each man's allegations and determine whether they're true. After all, constructive criticism can come from any source.

Redbird Bobby?

Abreu's Name Surfaces in Cardinal Rumors

The Internets are buzzing with rumors that the Phillies are about to deal Bobby Abreu to the Cardinals -- the St. Louis names mentioned are starter Jason Marquis and minor league reliever Anthony Reyes. I'm not sure that Marquis bring enough to the table to warrant trading Abreu, but I'm encouraged that Pat Gillick apparently has no untouchables. As I said many times last year, the Phillies are not merely a small piece shy of the playoffs -- there are deep-seated roster problems that demand big, bold measures in order for the team to become a true contender. Gillick, it seems, agrees.

Meanwhile, Abraham Nunez, who filled in competently for the injured Scott Rolen in St. Louis last season, signed a two-year contract with the Phils today. This is a decent pickup -- not only good insurance for David Bell, but also a player who can actually get some starts and produce even if Bell is healthy. He probably won't be as impressive as he was in 2005, but he's a better option than Tomas Perez.

Exit Sandman

Wagner Takes the Money and Runs -- and I'm Okay With That

ONE CAN HARDLY BLAME Billy Wagner for listening to the Mets' jaw-dropping offer and scooting up the New Jersey Turnpike for the greener (as in dollars) pastures of Flushing. New York is mounting an aggressive campaign to wrest control of the N.L. East from the Braves, complementing last season's acquisition of Carlos Beltran and Pedro Martinez with this year's trade for Carlos Delgado. So Wagner not only gets to sign a fat contract, he also will close for a team that seems very intent on contending in 2006. Fare thee well, Billy, and have fun with those delightful Mets fans, 'kay?

You've Got Mail

In Hindsight, Gillick's Electronic Missive Offers Some Interesting Insights

THE DAY BEFORE HE ROCKED Phillies City-State by dealing Jim Thome to the White Sox, Pat Gillick (or, more likely, someone writing on his behalf) e-mailed a note to everyone on the Phils' electronic distribution list. In addition to the usual platitudes about Philadelphians' passion and the efforts to resign Bill Wagner, Gillick emphsized that the recent GMs' meetings and the upcoming winter meetings would see the front office focused on "the sole purpose of improving our team any way we can." Now, granted, if Ed Wade had ever bothered to communicate directly with fans, he likely would have said the same thing. But then he would have gone out and resigned Terry Adams.

Around the Horn

A Look Back at the Week That Was (Turkey Coma Edition)

• Which reality-TV star is the bigger human train wreck -- Danny Bonaduce or John Daly? The world will soon find out. | Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
• Why Pat Gillick may have trouble pulling the trigger on a blockbuster trade. | Phillies Foul Balls
• When Billy met Omar ... | Phillies Nation
• Scouting the Phils' relief possibilities for 2006. | The Good Phight
• Hey, c'mon -- I like How I Met Your Mother. | A List of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago
• Is Art Carey necessary? | Philadelphia Will Do
• Shane Victorino makes history. | BeerLeaguer
• Rising and falling in the National League East. | Swing and a Miss
• Yes, now that you ask, there is one thing on a golf course that Tiger Woods cannot do well. | Deadspin
• Did the Department of Homeland Security, like, not get newspapers delivered to the office last September? | Wonkette

Lord Have Merci

Some Serene Thoughts to Digest in Case the L-Tryptophan Doesn't Put You to Sleep Quickly Enough Later Today

IT'S CUSTOMARY TODAY to reflect on your good fortunes and express gratitude that, I dunno, you don't live in a ditch or something. I did that a couple of years ago and got accused by my commenters -- okay, by my family -- of blogging while drunk. So I thought I'd take a different tack in 2005 and offer some less obvious things for which I'm grateful. In no particular order, then, this year I'm thankful that:

Thome Away from Home

Phillies Reportedly Set to Ship Slugger to White Sox for CF Aaron Rowand

SOURCES ARE REPORTING that the Phils and White Sox are thisclose to a deal that will send Jim Thome and cash to Chicago for centerfielder Aaron Rowand. The full analysis is forthcoming (BeerLeaguer, as usual, checks in with an excellent early take here) in tomorrow's papers and elsewhere in the Phlogosphere, but the trade on the surface looks like a good one. The Phils unload an albatross of a contract, one that would hamper them over the next few seasons, and in return get an outstanding defensive centerfielder who can hit. I can discern two negatives: first, Rowand is not the leadoff/on-base guy the Phillies need (don't even think about Jimmy Rollins), and second, I hate to see a guy of Thome's character leave town. I understand why Pat Gillick made the move, and I like the message it sends to Ryan Howard, but Jim Thome is a hell of a guy, a stud player who actually wanted to play here, and, through no fault of anyone, it didn't work out. I wish him well.

At the same time, I'm very happy to welcome aboard Aaron Rowand. Perhaps Gillick can package Jason Michaels or Shane Victorino with another player or two to acquire some pitching. Billy Wagner, you wanted signs the Phillies were serious about winning. What do you think of this?

'Tisn't the Season

Really, I'm Not an Old Fart -- I Just Wanna Know Why Christmas Can't Wait 'til Thanksgiving is Done

ONCE UPON A TIME, the Christmas season was just that -- a season. Stores waited until Black Friday to hang their wreaths, radio stations played holiday music only on December 24 and 25, and Halloween and Thanksgiving were permitted to take their bows as legitimate autumnal celebrations.

Those days, of course, are gone, swept into the ashcan of history along with dial-up Internet access, cell phones that just make calls, and the Democratic Party.

Hurt Feelings

Struggling Through Injuries, Both McNabb and Thome Get the Cold Shoulder

LESS THAN A YEAR REMOVED from guiding the Eagles to their first Super Bowl appearance in 24 years, Donovan McNabb, who's not even 30 yet, amazingly finds himself the subject of whispers. As in: "Psst ... Do you think Donovan will ever be the quarterback he ever was once he comes back from surgery?" And: "Psst ... The Eagles need to start thinking about drafting a new franchise quarterback."

Lyon in Wait

A Gentleman Columnist Says Goodbye

YESTERDAY'S BILL LYON FAREWELL in the Inquirer elicited the expected tributes among the Phlogosphere, and for good reason. He took such obvious care in word selection and sentence structure that calling him a good sportswriter feels grossly inadequate; he's a writer whose subject happens to be sports. Lyon, who called himself retired, is one of dozens of familiar voices departing the pages of the Inquirer and Daily News amidst the much-discussed Knight Ridder job shedding. He leaves a legacy of poignant, immaculately polished observations of the sporting scene, not to mention the joys of grandparenting, the winning loyalty of dogs, and other sundry subjects.