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It looks like the Phils are slipping further down in the forecasts of 2005 NL East. Today the Mets formally signed super free agent Carlos Beltran, just weeks after acquiring Pedro Martinez. It's one thing to see Atlanta being picked ahead of the Phils, but now the Mets? Of course, we all know the Mets will implode and Beltran and Martinez will drown in the cesspool known as Shea but how disheartening is it to see all these signings in the division. Meanwhile the Phils are sitting on their wallets and brains. Wait, excuse me, this just in: The Phillies Bring Back Terry Adams!!

Bill Conlin, in his infinite wisdom (and appetite), about sums it up:

Between the events unfolding in New York and in Citizens Bank Park, there is just a slight disparity.

The Mets will retrace the torturous footsteps of the Scott Boras negotiations that came down to themselves and Beltran's 2004 club, the Astros. Minaya will be peppered with questions about his next bold quest, the signing of slugging first baseman Carlos Delgado, and yesterday's acquisition of solid middle infielder Miguel Cairo.

The Phillies media will pop some hot peppers onto the Genoa Salami, capicola and provolone and ask Manuel about the roles of Amaury Telemaco and Geoff Geary. However, Charlie probably won't be asked to compare his newest lefthander, Aaron Fultz, to Joe Torre's newest lefthander.

I doubt if anybody will be crass enough to ask the new manager how it feels to tumble out of contention in the National League East 5 weeks before pitchers and catchers report to Clearwater.

Congratulations to Ryan Sandberg who elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame this past week. Though only passing the election threshold by 6 votes, many people aren't surprised by his eventual acceptance into Cooperstown. He had better numbers than ex-Phil and first-ballot hall of famer Joe Morgan. Both were with the Phils only one year, Morgan was released in 1983 and Ryno was traded to the Cubs along with Larry Bowa for Ivan DeJesus. A Cub's Blog, and another thing!, has a great story of the young Phillies prospect.

Wade Boggs also was elected, in this his first year eligible, with 92% of the votes.

It's official. The District of Columbia, with its tumultuous City Council, and Major League finalized plans for a stadium deal and a guaranteed the Nationals home in Washington.

I was there for the press conference, they trotted out all the former Senator "stars" and even the stadium announcer. It got me thinking, I recall Harry the K always saying how much he loved the Senators. Would he be crazy enough to finish off his career down in DC??

In an effort to find talent from the land of the rising sun, the Phillies signed Masaharu Morimoto to a 4 year, 38 million dollar contract. The righthander will certainly surpass recently acquired Jon Lieber as the Phillies ace and opening day starter against the Washington Nationals. The Phils expect Morimoto to follow in the footsteps of other Japanese successes - Ichiro, the Matsuis, and Hideo Nomo; yet they unfortunately gave him Milwood's old number.

Righthander Todd Jones signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Florida Marlins and took a shot at Phillies fans on his way out. The Phillies, who didn't offer him salary arbitration Tuesday, acquired him July 30 for Josh Hancock, Anderson Machado and Brad Correll. Jones went 3-3 with a 4.97 ERA in 27 appearances for the Phillies.

"I just hated it," Jones told the Birmingham (Ala.) News about his time in Philadelphia. "That was a very confrontational place. They [some fans] came to the game to hate on you somehow. They came looking for a fight. It's every night. It's hundreds of fans. It's ridiculous."

Hey, Todd, that's cause you sucked!!

Another forward-thinking decision by Wade. The Phils lost 3 young players and have absolutely nothing to show for it. Nothing!

Phillies today signed former Yankee Jon Lieber to a three-year, $21 million deal.  An All-Star in 2001, the right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery the following year, costing him half the season and all of 2003. He then missed the first month of 2004 with a strained groin.  Last year he went 14-8, 4.33 and led the league in walks per nine innings.

This seemingly fills the Phillies free agent dance card, at least in terms of starting pitchers.  Re-signing Eric Milton is less likely now.   News out of New York indicate the Yankees are close to landing him.   Also, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports David Wells is fading out of the picture after the Padres offered him arbitration.

In other free agent news, the Phils re-signed catcher Todd Pratt yesterday to a one-year, $750,000 contract after negotiations with Sandy Alomar Jr. fell apart Saturday because the Phillies had questions about his health.   They also locked up Rheal Cormier for two years.

Arbitration
The Phillies offered arbitration to second baseman Placido Polanco and outfielder Doug Glanville, which means they have until Dec. 19 to accept and Jan. 8 to negotiate.

Lefthander Eric Milton and righthanders Kevin Millwood, Roberto Hernandez and Todd Jones weren’t offered arbitration, which means their tenure with the Phillies has ended.