Thursday Knick-Knacks

2014: Cuban P Miguel A. Gonzalez is owed $12MM AAV, so instead of $35MM left, the Phillies have only about $20MM left, but they may not re-sign Halladay ($15MM) or Chooch ($5MM), so that gives them $40MM to work with. So, the rotation is essentially full next year: Hamels, Lee, Gonzalez, Kendrick and #5, unless Lee is traded. Chase Utley's contract extension is reportedly going to be 2-YR/ $26MM with an option for 2016. For a two-year deal, the price is a hair high (I'd go with $22-24 million over two years), especially considering Utley missed time in 2011 & 2012 (knees). This gives the Phillies $27MM left to spend in Free Agency after spending $155MM on 19 players.

Congrats:

• 2008 Closer Brad "Lights-Out" Lidge on his retirement as a Phillie today... the ceremony will occur at 6:30 PM on Phillies.com and possibly on CSN/ PHL17.
• 2013 Wall of Fame Inductee Curt Schilling 
• Kyle Kendrick and his family on the birth of their son - 4:28 PM on July 31st

Tomorrow is the start of Alumni weekend and we will celebrate the Wall of Fame induction,  and the 20th anniversary of the 1993 NL Champions this weekend. Darren "Dutch" Dalton, 1993 Phils Catcher, will attend the ceremonies. He is currently recovering from brain surgery, which removed a malignant tumor. He is currently undergoing the usual cancer treatments to prevent recurrence & spreading. To send well wishes via Twitter/ Facebook, use the hashtag: #RightOnFightOn.

INJURY UPDATES:

• Mike Adams (right shoulder) will have surgery and miss Opening Day 2014, but I still include him in my luxury tax calculation for 2014.
• For tomorrow's Braves game, Cliff Lee (stiff neck) will not start: he's starting on Sunday. Ethan Martin, acquired in the July 2012 Shane Victorino trade, will make his ML debut Friday. Martin is 11-5 this year despite a 4.12 ERA and 4-2 with a near-2.00 ERA in his last 7 starts.
• Domonic Brown (concussion) is due back in a few days. He passed his concussion test yesterday, but as a precaution, he had to take it again today. He took 60 swings in the cage and may appear in a rehab game this weekend.
• Ryan Howard (knee) will likely not return until early September.