Phillies

Your Heating Up Stove News: Phils Close with Madson, Have Hard On for Papelbon Too, and Raul Sleeps at Hall of Fame

By Kyle Scott

Published: Nov 8th, 2011 · 9:54 AM EST

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Here’s something good, something bad, and something odd.

Good:

According the Jayson Stark and Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies are nearing a deal with Ryan Madson. [FOX Sports]

One major-league source said Monday night that the Phillies were working hard to keep Madson and possibly nearing an agreement.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro did not deny that a deal was close. But he did not confirm it, either.

“I do not characterize my negotiations,” Amaro said. “I need a closer. It’s no secret I need a closer.”

 

My God, Ruben Amaro is dripping superiority all over my laptop screen. I will not characterize my negotiations. Oh, OK, Rube.

Bad:

No joke– I’d prefer rooting for Jose Reyes over Papelbon. Really, something about a guy who once danced to Dropkick Murphys in his underwear just rubs me the wrong way. I like to be rubbed the right way, which, in this case, is Madson.

Odd:

In a scene straight out of Night at the Museum, Raul Ibanez and his son, Raul Jr., slept overnight at the Baseball Hall of Fame as part of a trip with Jr.’s Lower Merion Little League team. Pretty cool, actually.

Photo: Hall of Fame