The Phillies have signed 31-year old righty swinging 2B/SS Wilson Valdez to a minor league deal. He played in 41 games for the Mets last season and he was 22 for 86 (.256 avg, .663 OPS) with 11 runs scored and 7 RBIs. He has now played in 152 games in his 4-year major league career and he is 76 for 342 (.222 avg, .565 OPS) with 40 runs scored, 1 homer, 27 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. This was a good depth signing for the Phillies as Valdez will likely start the season in AAA.

The Phillies have signed 31-year old lefty swinging outfielder DeWayne Wise to a minor league deal. Wise played in 84 games for the White Sox last season and he was 32 for 142 (.225 avg, .628 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 2 homers, 11 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He has now played in 324 games in his 7-year major league career and he is 132 for 610 (.216 avg, .636 OPS) with 82 runs scored, 17 homers, 61 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. Wise is best remembered for making a perfect game saving catch for Mark Buehrle of the Pale Hose last season. Defense and speed are the skills Wise will bring to the Phillies if he makes the team out of spring training.

The Phillies have signed 37-year old righty swinging infielder Juan Castro to a 1-year deal. Castro played in 57 games for the Dodgers last year and he was 31 for 112 (.277 avg, .650 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 1 homer and 9 RBIs. He has now played in 1,041 games in his major league career and he is 572 for 2,484 (.230 avg, .602 OPS) with 244 runs scored, 36 homers and 220 RBIs. This was a nice little signing for the Phillies as Castro is a lot better player than Eric Bruntlett who he will be replacing.

Charlie Manuel of the Phillies just never seems to get much respect as a manager despite his success. Manuel led the Phillies to a 93-69 (57.4%) record during the regular season in 2009. Then he led them to their second consecutive National League Pennant before falling to the Yankees in the World Series. Manuel has now compiled a 447-363 (55.2%) record in his five years with the Phillies and there is no reason to think he won’t improve that W-L% next year.

27-year old lefty starting pitcher J.A. Happ finished 2nd in the voting for the Rookie of the Year Award in the National League. He pitched in 35 games (23 starts) for the Phillies last season and he was 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. Happ will definately be in the starting rotation for the Phillies from Day #1 next year so look for him to put up huge numbers.