You Never Sausage a Post - Tuesday's Phillies Links

Phillies

The Phillies rotation: A Voltron of question marks - Beyond the Box Score
Comprised of many small question marks, the Phillies staff looks like a huge unknown heading into 2016.

PN Off-season Check In: 2B Prospect Scott Kingery | Phillies Nation
The Phillies' 2nd round draft pick this year was second baseman Scott Kingery. In 66 games with Class A Lakewood after signing his first professional contract, the 21-year-old posted a .250 average with three home runs, 21 RBI and 11 steals.

Phillies Nation Interview: RHP Shackleford says goodbye to Reading
Righty reliever Stephen Shackleford set the single season saves record for the Double-A Reading Fightins this past season, when he notched 30 in 53 Eastern League appearances.

Phillies bring holiday cheer to homeless | phillies.com
The crowd cheered Friday afternoon when the Phanatic stormed into the Bethesda Project's Our Brothers' Place. The approximately 200 homeless people at Bethesda look forward to his visit every year. It is the day the Phillies prepare and serve a holiday dinner at one of the largest shelters in Philadelphia as part of their "Season of Giving."

Phillies Projected Arbitration Spending
The Phillies had five players possibly eligible for arbitration this off-season. They already came to agreements with two, but three remain possible.

Jonathan Papelbon's updated no-trade list for 2016
He can now be traded to the Phillies without his permission, removing the only possible obstacle to his return.

Hall of Fame Voting

The Hall of Fame case for Tim Raines
Mag columnist Peter Keating explains why Tim Raines' stats, and not the vials of cocaine he kept on him during games, should be the only thing Hall of Fame voters consider.

Hall of Fame update: Nobody loves Jim Edmonds - SweetSpot- ESPN
After looking at some early returns, it's apparent that Hall of Fame voters are overlooking some strong seasons from Jim Edmonds.

Hall of Fame Ballot Tracker
With 88 public ballots recorded: Griffey 100%, Piazza 91%, Bagwell 85%, Raines 81%. Updates at @NotMrTibbs

Around the League

Texas Rangers: Will Rangers find next Josh Hamilton comeback story in former No. 1 pick, ex-prisoner Matt Bush? | SportsDay
Fresh off spending nearly three years in prison for his involvement in a DWI incident that resulted in serious injuries to a motorcyclist, right-handed pitcher Matt Bush will join the club on a minor league contract that does not include an invitation to major league spring training.

On Opt-Outs and the Value to a Team, Again | FanGraphs Baseball
So it’s actually the scenarios where the player doesn’t opt-out where including the opt-out is good for the team, assuming they got a financial offset for including the provision in the contract. The scenarios where the player does opt-out, though? Those aren’t great for the team.

Northwestern MutualVoice: A Padre For Life: Why The San Diego Padres Keep Re-Signing This Ex-Pitcher
San Diego Padres minor league pitcher Matt LaChappa was a tall, lanky left-hander with big-league promise when he was drafted as the team’s second-round pick in 1993.

Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants pay luxury tax, most in Major League Baseball history
For the first time, four teams exceeded the spending threshold and owe tax. The Dodgers, Yankees and Red Sox will pay along with the Giants, a first-time offender.

Let's talk about Bartolo Colon's marvelous hitting for a minute | FOX Sports
So yes, Bartolo has been historically bad at hitting. But the news isn't all terrible: he took steps to improve his at-bats last season, and his teammates on the Mets say that no other pitcher worked harder in the batting cage last year.

Brewers are in tough spot with possible trade of Jonathan Lucroy | FOX Sports
There's just no trading Lucroy right now for what they want. So either they need to adjust what they want, or they need to hope a market develops in July.

On the value of Carlos Carrasco - Beyond the Box Score
If you thought the return for Shelby Miller was high, well you just wait until Carlos Carrasco gets traded.

Red Sox to retire Wade Boggs' number 26 - Yahoo Sports
Wade Boggs' number 26 will be retired by the Boston Red Sox. Boston said Monday it will retire the number of the Hall of Fame third baseman during a ceremony at Fenway Park on May 26, when the number will be added to the ballpark's right-field facade. ''I am so humbled and honored,'' Boggs said in a statement released by the Red Sox.

MLB rumors roundup: What do Nats do next? - MLB Rumors- ESPN
A look at the rumors around the majors, beginning with who might land in DC this offseason.

Barry Bonds credits return with Miami Marlins to father, godfather Willlie Mays
Barry Bonds, hired as the Marlins' hitting coach earlier this month, evoked his father, Bobby Bonds, and his godfather, Willie Mays, in explaining his decision to take the job.

MLB Hot Stove Daily -- Monday's trade and free-agency buzz
The Mets have turned their attention to an outfielder. Denard Span is the preferred choice. But he's coming off hip surgery and is represented by Scott Boras, who has already made it clear he's looking for a multi-year deal.

Where teams stand at this point in the offseason - Beyond the Box Score
While many of the top free agent players have already signed, there are still valuable players available who could significantly improve the playoff chances for borderline playoff teams.

Big Tests Await New Blue Jays Regime - BaseballAmerica.com
Lost in all the offseason drama is the fact that the Blue Jays have positioned themselves well to make another run in 2016.