Phils re-sign Eyre, three coaches

Scott Eyre has signed a one-year, $2 million dollar contract plus incentives with the Phillies.

Eyre, 36, was acquired by the Phillies on August 7 from the Chicago Cubs. In 19 appearances with the club, he went 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 14.1 innings (11.3 SO/9.0 IP). For the season with both teams, Eyre posted a 5-0 record with a 4.21 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 25.2 innings (11.2 SO/9.0 IP). He held left-handed hitters to a .220 average with one home run allowed in 50 at-bats.

In 575 career appearances, Eyre is 26-29 with a 4.36 ERA for the Chicago White Sox (1997-2000), Toronto (2001-02), San Francisco (2002-05), Chicago Cubs (2006-08) and Phillies (2008).

Meanwhile pitching coach Rich Dubee, first base coach Davey Lopes and hitting coach Milt Thompson all agreed to terms on contracts for the 2009 season.

Dubee, 51, returns for his fifth season as pitching coach, all under Manuel. Under his guidance, the Phillies' pitching staff finished the 2008 season with a 3.88 ERA, the fourth-best among all National League teams, and 11 shutouts, which was tied for fourth-most. The starting rotation had 88 quality starts, second-most in the NL behind only Arizona (95), and compiled 966.2 innings pitched which was the fourth-highest total in the league.

For the second straight season, the 63-year-old Lopes, who also serves as the club's outfield and baserunning instructor, coached the Phillies' baserunners to a major league-best 84.5% stolen base success rate (136 steals in 161 chances). The team's stolen base total was third-best in the NL and fourth-best in the majors. Additionally, Phillies outfielders led the NL and tied for the major league lead with 36 outfield assists. The 2009 season will be Lopes' third with the Phillies.

Thompson, 49, returns for his sixth season on the Phillies' coaching staff and fifth as the hitting coach. During 2008, Thompson oversaw an offense that led the NL in home runs (214), finished second in RBI (762) and slugging percentage (.438) and tied for second with 799 runs scored. Only the Chicago Cubs scored more runs (855). In his four seasons as the team's hitting coach, the Phillies have scored more runs (3,363) than any other NL team.

Bench coach Jimy Williams, 65, was invited to return for the 2009 season, but opted not to. As announced last week by Amaro and Manuel, the Phillies opted not to renew the contract of third base coach Steve Smith.