Contreras officially done for the season

Scratch Jose Contreras off the list of possible bullpen options for the Phillies. Contreras, who hasn't pitched since June 19th, had a setback as he was attempting a comeback and will need surgery on his elbow and will miss the rest of the season. It will be exploratory surgery to determine what is actually wrong with the elbow so the extent of the injury isn't known at this time.

Contreras is under contract for next season so getting the 39 year old healthy for spring training next season is the top priority. With Michael Stutes and Antonio Bastardo stepping up this season, losing the Big Truck isn't a huge blow though it would have been nice to have him as a late game option. Considering Brad Lidge has looked cooked recently, the Phillies might be a little thin in the bullpen going into the postseason. Good thing the entire starting rotation can go the distance any time they take the hill.

Lidge to possibly miss half of season, Contreras to close

After the revelation that Brad Lidge was going to start the season on the DL, today's news is hardly surprising: Lidge will miss 3-6 weeks due to his shoulder injury. Given that time frame, Lidge made it clear to reporters that he is shooting for a return after the All-Star break. While that is a long time for the Phillies to be without their closer, at least Lidge won't need surgery on the shoulder, which would potentially keep him out for the entire season.

With Lidge out, Charlie Manuel is reportedly going to go with Jose Contreras as the closer and keep Ryan Madson in the 8th inning. While I don't subscribe to the theory that Madson doesn't have the mental makeup to be a closer, I'm fine with the Phillies keeping Madson in his most successful role. While Contreras doesn't have much closing experience (4 career saves all in 2010), if he can pitch like he did last year, he should do just fine in the 9th inning.

Given the relative depth of the Phillies bullpen, losing Brad Lidge isn't that huge of a blow to the Phillies. Both Contreras and Madson should do just fine in the final two innings so the Phillies will just need either J.C. Romero or Danys Baez to step into the 7th inning role. Then again, the Four Aces will probably just pitch a complete game every time.

Phillies re-sign Jose Contreras

One of the most important bullpen pieces for the Phillies will be back next year: Jose Contreras has signed a 2 year contract (with a team option for a third year) worth 5.5 million dollars to remain in Philly. Contreras, who is 38 going on 60, was very reliable out of the pen last year, posting a 3.34 ERA and 1.22 WHIP while striking out 57 batters in 67 innings of work. Although some will be annoyed by Contreras getting a two year deal, if he can put up numbers anywhere close to that in the next two seasons, he will be more than worth 5.5 million dollars.

The re-signing of Contreras is just one of several bullpen signings the Phillies are expected to make in the coming months. With J.C. Romero recently shown the door, the team is in the market for a lefty or two. They also will be looking to re-sign Chad Durbin, who is currently a free agent, though several teams have apparently shown interest in signing Durbin.

Add the needed bullpen pieces to whatever the Phillies plan to do with their rotation and in right field and you have the makings of another interesting offseason. Ruben Amaro better get to work.

Phillies sign Jose Contreras, 2010's Chan Ho Park

The Phillies have just signed 2010's version of Chan Ho Park. Park, as you may recall, was signed to a one year deal prior to last season with the promise that he would compete for a spot in the rotation but with the idea that he would really be a bullpen piece. Jose Contreras, signed by the Phillies to a one year deal today, will join the team under the same premise.

Contreras, who turned 38 in September, has been around the block in the majors, playing for the Yankees, White Sox and Rockies in his 7 year career. He has mostly been a starting pitcher, starting 175 of the 191 games he has pitched in his career. Contreras even started 21 games last season for the White Sox, where he went 5-13, and didn't move to the bullpen until he joined the Rockies late in the season.

While Contreras will be competing with Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick for the 5th starter spot but he will more likely begin the season in the exact role that Chan Ho Park vacated. While the signing is hardly exciting, the Phillies aren't taking a huge risk by signing Contreras to a one year deal. Worst case scenario, Contreras has nothing left in the tank and the Phillies cut him. Best case scenario, Contreras is a cheaper version of Park who can give the team quality long relief innings and can start in a pinch.