Reason 6,397 Why I Can't Stand The Phils

I ripped Marcus Hayes recently for supporting the Phils, but he's finally turned things around and has been ripping the front office every chance he's had. I now thoroughly enjoy his work.

Here's the latest debacle reported by Hayes in today's Daily News surrounding the Phils and their inept, beleaguered front office: the Joe Borowski mess from last offseason. The Phils had him signed to a 2 year deal, but Borowski failed a physical and the deal was off. Borowski then took his services to Cleveland where he has saved 20 games out of 22 chance. I guess we didn't need a guy like him in our bullpen.

Anyhow, Borowski had some interesting things to say over the whole ordeal:

"Something that was supposedly hush-hush comes out the same day it happens," said Borowski, who allowed that it didn't necessarily have to be the Phillies who leaked the diagnosis from team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti.

The Phillies acknowledged that they agreed to keep things quiet and say that they did not address Borowski's failed physical until after it was reported and attributed to an anonymous source.

They disagree with Borowski's version of other events: "All of a sudden, you come here and try to undercut," he said. "Then you hear that other teams are getting involved, you start upping your price again . . .

"They kept coming back with more and more and more and more and more. They came bottom of the barrel, then the next one was more and the next one was more and the next one was more."

At that point, was there a chance Borowski would accept any deal from the Phils?

"None," he said. "It left a bad taste in my mouth."

Use mouthwash, said Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.

Team policy is to not detail negotiations, Amaro said, "But we will acknowledge we did have further discussions with him after the diagnosis from Dr. Ciccotti. I will take exception with how he's describing it to you. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We still wanted the guy. We just wanted a little bit more protection."

Borowski also was critical of the methods used by Ciccotti in his exam: "My physical was just the doctor pretty much hanging off my arms and not moving me whatsoever."

"With all due respect to the player, he's free to speak as he sees fit," Amaro said. "We are fully supportive of Dr. Ciccotti and his ability to diagnose our players and free agents. We are very confident in his findings."

When Borowski signed a 1-year, $4.25 million deal with the Indians and reported for spring training, he found himself awash in former Phillies: David Dellucci, Jason Michaels, Roberto Hernandez, Aaron Fultz.

"Some of them came up to me and said, 'You should be happy,' " Borowski said.

He is.

Borowski has converted 20 of 22 save chances. His earned run average of 6.33 is skewed by two poor appearances. In save situations, he has a 3.38 ERA.

"Actually, it worked out for the better," Borowski said. "I'm on a first-place team, everything is going great; great group of guys, great organization. I think it worked out for the best."

The sad thing about this whole mess is that Ruben Amaro, Jr will likely be the GM when Gillick is finally put out to pasture. So get used to gaffes like this.

By the way, when is the last time you ever heard anyone refer to the Phils as a first class organization?