Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Baseball notes: Phillies already have eyes on 2010

NEW YORK -- Charlie Manuel was heading to the interview room when he spotted a reporter walking alongside.

"Two out of three, that's what I told them," Manuel said.

Sounds like the Philadelphia Phillies and their manager have set their goal for 2010.

The Phillies fell two wins short of becoming the first NL team in 33 years to win consecutive World Series titles, losing to the New York Yankees in six games. Looking ahead to next season, they see plenty of reasons for optimism.

"We've got a good team, and we love to play baseball," Manuel said. "We will be back."

The team has a young nucleus of star players who are under contract for at least one more season. Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton are all 30 years old or younger.

In five seasons in Philadelphia, Manuel has led the Phillies to three straight NL East titles and the franchise's second championship. He plans to keep adding to that resume.

"I think we're in a span right here where within the next couple years, that's going to be very important for us," Manuel said. "I think it's going to be our heydays, as you might say. It's very important for the next couple years that we stay afloat. But at the same time, I think we have the talent, and I think that we can tinker with our team enough to even get better."

The Cincinnati Reds were the last NL club to win two consecutive World Series titles in 1975-76. It had been 13 years since an NL team had even won consecutive pennants. The Phillies cruised to another division title with 93 regular-season wins. They eliminated Colorado in four games in the first round of the playoffs and knocked off the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games in the NLCS.

But the Phillies ran into the best team money can buy in the World Series. Determined to win their 27^th title and first since 2000, the Yankees went on a $423.5 million spending spree last offseason. The additions of pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett and first baseman Mark Teixeira boosted New York's opening day-payroll to $201 million. The trio, of course, had a major impact on the Yankees' success.

"It says a lot about the character and chemistry that we made it back here again," Victorino said. "Some teams win it, and you never hear from them again. But you can't take anything away from the Yankees. They had a great season. The positive is we were here for a second season in a row, and there's no reason to think we can't make it three or four seasons."

Matsui bat, Damon spike headed to Hall of Fame

Hideki Matsui's bat and Johnny Damon's spikes are among the items from the Yankees' World Series title going to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Nearly a dozen pieces were donated after New York won Wednesday and will be displayed as part of an exhibit on baseball's postseason history. They include the bat Matsui used to drive in a record-tying six runs in Game 6 and the spikes Damon wore when he stole two bases on one pitch in Game 4.

Other items include the cap worn by Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee during his dominant postseason and the No. 46 jersey worn by Andy Pettitte during Game 6 of the ALCS, when he set a record with 16 postseason victories.

Around the majors

Bobby Abreu agreed Thursday to a $19 million, two-year contract to stay with the Angels rather than test the free agent market again. ... Former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle was hired as the new hitting coach for the Texas Rangers on Thursday. ... The wife of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt lost her bid to be reinstated as the team's chief executive Thursday during a hearing in the couple's messy divorce. After arguments from both sides about whether Frank McCourt's decision to fire his wife should stand, Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon ruled that no state law supports Jamie McCourt's bid to get her job back. ... Infielder Chad Tracy's $7 million option has been declined by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who will pay the infielder a $1 million buyout. The 29-year-old becomes eligible for free agency. ... The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.5-million contract with free agent infielder/outfielder Mark Kotsay.