After his introductory news conference yesterday, Ruben Amaro left for the general managers' meetings in Dana Point, Calif.
Those meetings were the site of one of the best trades of the Pat Gillick era. You could even argue that it worked out perfectly.
A year ago, the Phillies acquired Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett from Houston for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary and prospect Mike Costanzo.
Along with any potential trades, Amaro has a number of issues with the current roster to address.
FREE AGENTS (5): Pat Burrell, LF; Jamie Moyer, LHP; Scott Eyre, LHP; Rudy Seanez, RHP; Tadahito Iguchi, INF
The Phillies have already announced that they will not exercise the options on OF So Taguchi and RHP Tom Gordon.
SALARY ARBITRATION: (10 players eligible, includes 2008 salary): Ryan Howard, 1B ($10 million); Cole Hamels, LHP ($500,000); Shane Victorino, CF ($480,000); Jayson Werth, RF ($1.7 million); Joe Blanton, RHP ($3.7 million); Ryan Madson, RHP ($1.4 million); Greg Dobbs, 3B ($440,000); Chad Durbin, RHP ($900,000); Clay Condrey, RHP ($420,000); Eric Bruntlett, IF/OF ($600,000).
