Winter of (Dis)Content: Rumors From Orlando...

Let the rumor mill spin.

First, let's sort through the rumors in the various area newspapers:

The Inquirer's Jim Salisbury:
"Multiple baseball officials said yesterday that the Phillies have made it known to other clubs that they would trade righthander Jon Lieber. Any deal would be contingent on the Phillies' acquiring another starting pitcher, either through a free-agent signing or a trade. There were strong indications last night that the Phils were looking to get a starter from the Chicago White Sox, who have depth in their rotation and could be looking to reacquire outfielder Aaron Rowand. The Phils are not actively looking to deal Rowand, but Shane Victorino's emergence in center field late last season has them believing they could get value for Rowand or a package that included him."

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/baseball/16164815.htm

The Daily News' Paul Hagen:
"So when reliever David Weathers re-signed with Cincinnati yesterday and rumors surfaced that Joe Borowski, who had agreed to a deal with the Phillies before an MRI on his shoulder raised concerns, was close to coming to terms with the Indians, it was natural to wonder if another Texas-Philadelphia trade might make sense. The Rangers have a surplus of relievers (Joaquin Benoit, Josh Rupe, Ron Mahay). And while the Phillies aren't looking to trade centerfielder Aaron Rowand, they might have to consider it to address their pitching needs.
Gillick, meanwhile, dropped an intriguing hint. Even though the rotation appears set with Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, Jon Lieber, Jamie Moyer and Eaton, he said he was stalking another starter who would upgrade the rotation. "It might not be a No. 1 or a No. 2, but it might be a guy we think is better than what our No. 4 or our No. 5 might be right now," he said."

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/baseball/16166250.htm

Courier-Times' Randy Miller:
"If things shake down right for the Phillies at this week's Winter Meetings, general manager Pat Gillick might head home Thursday having filled most of his needs with two big trades that probably would get fans excited. Talks are preliminary, but Gillick was working on multiple deals that could pry top starter Freddie Garcia from the Chicago White Sox, plus reliever Derrick Turnbow and slugging outfielder Kevin Mench from the Milwaukee Brewers."

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/102-12052006-751573.html

The Phanatic:
Jason Jennings to the Phillies is "a long shot...better chance of the Eagles winning out." (ouch). However, the possible trade with the White Sox? "Preliminary but probably 40/60 or 50/50....if it gets done Lieber is out of here." Lieber's destination? "Milwaukee for Mench. Phillies may have to throw in a low-level/mid-level prospect and the Brewers would add Turnbow." Any other rumors? "Gillick has NO interest in Aubrey Huff. NO to Barry Zito. NO to Mark Mulder. NO to Milwaukee's Geoff Jenkins. If the Phillies get a pitcher from the White Sox if will be "Garcia or Garland. They don't really match up to nab Buehrle."

UPDATE: Miguel Batista will NOT be a Phillie, in fact, according to our source, "He isn't even on their radar screen and hasn't been since he told them I'm a starter. Period." That line goes along with Randy Miller's report several days back. Nothing much else to add...calm before the storm? We can only hope.

More Later...