As of right now, baseball executives and writers are on their way to Orlando, Florida (Good luck if you live in the Philadephia area) for the winter meetings. Jim Salisbury has already reported that Ruben Amaro has starting pitching on his mind and that the Phillies have already reached out to Ryan Vogelsong and Scott Feldman (both of whom have signed elsewhere).
As for predictions, I think they'll sign up a starter during the meetings. I'm not quite sure they're in the Matt Garza or Ubaldo Jimenez sweepstakes or not. Bronson Arroyo has been linked to them this off season as well. They could also be in the running for Japan superstar Masahiro Tanaka in the event he's posted by the Rakuten Golden Eagles which seems likely. They could also go after some non tendered arms such as Tommy Hanson or Jerome Williams. Lots of options.
One move I think has a chance is the one many say has no chance which is Jonathan Papelbon being traded. Call it a hunch but I don't think Ken Rosenthal would visit that rumor again had he not picked up some discussions about him. Not saying it's definite but look out for it.
As uneventful as this off season has seemed so far with Amaro playing the conservative card, I can't help but think some monster trade that throws that whole thing off happens. It's just too quiet right now and I think it's the calm before a loud storm. Again, all you can do is go with your gut.
Or it could very well happen that nothing happens this week and the Phils leave Orlando with their Rule 5 pick(s) and that's all she wrote. But I don't buy it. Amaro has been too quiet with all this noise going on not to make some sort of splash and I predict an active week for the Phillies on the hot stove front.
