Phanatic Phillies Rumblings

In case you missed it, The Phanatic kept you up to speed on the Phillies' offseason during the Winter Meetings in Orlando. We published a daily rumor mill from various newspapers and our own sources on the ground. We included opinion pieces on certain trade possibilities and available free agents.

We didn't quite see what was coming until an official walked into the grand media room at Disney's Swan and Dolphin Resort and wrote the following on the media's magic "white board."

"Philadelphia Phillies News Conference 10:30 p.m."

Moments later, The Phanatic was in correspondence with people at ground zero getting the details on a trade that would bring in right-handed pitcher Freddy Garcia for top prospect Gio Gonzalez and former No. 1 draft pick Gavin Floyd.

What did we think of the Freddy Garcia deal? The entire staff, even the surly John McMullen, gave General Manager Pat Gillick an "A" for his efforts. Our very own Mike Rushton then wondered through words where the Phillies go from here, complete with a loaded gun of starting pitchers.

The Phillies also were active in the Rule V draft, a part of the offseason always near and dear to Gillick's heart. Those draftees ended a Winter Meetings seen as a step toward the playoffs, according to Jared Trexler.

So, that is where we are. But what is on the horizon?

These are the latest rumors whispered to The Phanatic on Monday:

**The Phillies want a "veteran" backup catcher. Malvern Prep's own Ben Davis to a minor-league contract is a possibility. Yorvit Torrealba is another possibility, but the club has cooled on rumors last week that Benito Santiago was interested in coming back to town.

**Very near and dear to our sources' heart, the Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates have had several conversations about Jon Lieber. The Phillies are looking for a package of Damaso Marte and Salmon Torres (you can dream about a Mike Gonzalez return because it WON'T happen). Houston, Boston, Milwaukee and San Francisco also appear to be interested in the veteran Lieber, who's $7.5 million contract looks like chump change when analyzing the deals of Ted Lilly and Gil Meche.

**The outfield situation is another question. Charlie Manuel especially wants to hold on to Aaron Rowand and, if the Phillies can grab two relief pitchers for Lieber, they very well might. That means you could be looking at a Pat Burrell-Aaron Rowand-Shane Victorino starting outfield. Our source has confirmed the Phillies contacted the agents for Aubrey Huff and Trot Nixon, though Huff will likely receive a full-time opportunity not available in Philly. Gillick wants a "David Dellucci" type hitter who can platoon with all three outfielders, which is made easier since the Phils have a pair of center fielders on the roster.