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As reported by several sources on Monday evening, former Phillies general manager Ed Wade is set to return to the Philadelphia organization in the role of a scout. The 55-year-old, who was fired last month from his position as general manager of the Houston Astros, began his front office career as an intern with the Phillies' public relations department in 1977. After that gig, he worked various positions for multiple big league clubs before he returned to Philadelphia in the capacity of assistant to the general manager in 1989. Wade later became assistant general manager with the Phillies (1995-1998) and, of course, general manager for the team (1998-2005). During his time at the helm of the Phillies, Wade became notorious for trading away All-Star Curt Schilling. As the top dog in Houston, he helped stack the Phils with All-Star talent by dealing Brad Lidge, Roy Oswalt and Hunter Pence to Philadelphia. Wade was terminated by the Astros after the team collected a Major League wo...

Recently DFA'd lefty relief pitcher Sergio Escalona was dealt to the Houston Astros on Monday for minor league infielder Albert Cartwright (pictured). The trade saw yet another acquisition of talent with a track record in the Phillies organization by former Philadelphia general manager, and current guy in charge of the Astros organization, Ed Wade. Cartwright, a 5-feet-10-inch 180 pound right-handed batter, was selected by Houston in the 36th round of the 2007 amateur draft. Last season, in 127 combined games at High A level Lancaster and Double Corpus Christi, Cartwright posted a .294 batting average with 10 homers, 31 steals and 87 runs scored. Much of that production was compiled with the Class High A Jethawks. As a member of the Double A Hooks, Cartwright produced a low .561 OPS in 140 at bats. Cartwright, 23, committed 29 errors in 116 games as a second baseman in 2010. The 26-year-old Escalona, who went 4-8 with a 3.81 ERA in 50 games in relief for the Double A Reading Philli...

A report from Yahoo! Sports states that Astros hurler Roy Oswalt has named 3 different teams he'd like to land with if Houston decides to trade him this season. On Oswalt's short list were the Phillies, the Cardinals and the Yankees. Oswalt, who has a career 140-77 record with a 3.21 ERA and is in his 10th Major League season with Houston, could join "Mr. Perfect" Roy Halladay in the Phillies' starting rotation. This sort of news should make the hardcore guys over at The 701 Level very happy, as they declared their desire to have TWO ROY'S in the Phillies' starting rotation a couple weeks back. Keep in mind that Ed Wade, general manager of the Astros, is very familiar with the entire Phillies organization. Wade has put together a collection of ex-Phillies during his time there, including guys like Brett Myers, Pedro Feliz, Jason Michaels and Mike Bourn. So, perhaps working out a deal to send Houston some more Phillies cast-offs might not be very difficult...

Brett Myers finalized his 1-year/$5.1 million contract with the Houston Astros on Tuesday. Myers made clear his desire to return to the Phillies, the team that chose him as a first round draft pick in 1999. However, the Phillies did not make any effort to re-sign Myers, thus he had to seek other options. Myers told the media, "I wanted to go back to Philadelphia, but they didn't show an interest, they had other obligations, which is fine with me." He then asserted that he planned to "stick it" to the Phillies whenever he gets an opportunity. This new rivalry could be quite interesting for the upcoming season. I can't remember the last homegrown player who promised revenge on the Phillies for letting him go. Perhaps it has never happened. Usually when opposing players pledge their desire to beat the Phillies they are guys like Scott Olson or Carlos Beltran, who play for a division rival. The Astros visit Philadelphia in August...Monday the 23rd through Thursd...

The Phillies are just about ready to wrap things up at this year's Winter Meetings in Indianapolis. Wednesday was the third day of the meetings, and, while the team was involved in many rumors, the Phillies didn't make any moves. The Ross Gload deal is technically pending until Gload passes a physical. Brandon Lyon agreed to terms on a 3 yr/$15 million deal with Ed Wade's Astros. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro stated that the Phillies were involved deeply in negotiations with Lyon but that Wade stole him away. Rumors surfaced that the Phillies were in the mix again for a trade with Toronto involving ace pitcher Roy Halladay. Talks mainly had names like Domonic Brown and Michael Taylor attached, but GM Ruben Amaro stated Thursday morning that a big trade like that getting done is not likely. On Wednesday, Brown was named to the 22 player Arizona Fall League top prospect team. PhoulBallz interviewed both big OF prospects during their '09 minor league campaigns...here are links i...

Several reports popped up Wednesday evening stating that the Phillies have elevated their pursuit of Placido Polanco, to fill their void at third base. In the past three seasons with Detroit combined, Polanco has been a .310 hitter. His season average over those three seasons was 9 homers, 65.7 RBI and 92.3 runs scored. By comparison, departed Phils third baseman Pedro Feliz has hit .256 over the past three seasons and has averaged 15.33 homers, 70.7 RBI and 55.3 runs. Feliz is roughly 6 months older than Polanco, but both are age 34. Other teams are interested in Polanco also. Teams interested in Polly include former Phillies GM Ed Wade's Houston Astros. The Astros, also rumored to be in the mix for free agent Brett Myers, may continue to lengthen their list of ex-Phillies (Mike Bourn, Chris Coste, Jason Michaels, Geoff Geary & Yorman Bazardo). Other options for the vacant third base spot are still the same list of usual suspects...Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa and Miguel Tejada....

Ed Wade's Houston Astros (72-83) come to town to face the Phillies (90-65) for a four game series beginning Monday night. The Phillies' magic number to clinch a third straight division title stands at 3. The Phillies need a combination of their own victories and Braves losses totalling 3 to win the NL East and take the first step toward adding to the team's ring jewelry collection. Read on for additional information and pitching matchups from this series. Monday, 7:05pm. Yorman Bazardo (0-2, 9.55 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (10-9, 4.11 ERA). Bazardo, one of Ed Wade's many former Philadelphia players, has allowed 15 walks in 21 2/3 innings pitched this year. Bazardo was signed by the Phillies last offseason, but was released this spring. Cole's ERA over his last 6 starts is 2.01. At home this season, Hamels is 7-3 with a 3.29 ERA. Carlos Lee is the only active Astro to homer against Colbert. Lee is 3-for-14 (.214 avg) with a HR and 7 RBI vs. Hamels. Colbert's last loss...

Chris Coste looked way cooler when he was a Phillie. Sunglasses, tough guy expressions and fresh jewelry are all missing these days. Now it's all about frowns and wrong colored pin stripes. What happened, Costie? Ohh, I know. Too much of this guy...

The Phillies have designated Chris Coste for assignment today, to make room for Raul Ibanez on the active roster. Coste was seemingly immediately scooped off of waivers by former Phillies GM and current Astros big cheese Ed Wade. Wade's collection of Phillies cast-offs continues to grow as Coste will join Mike Bourn, Jason Michaels and Geoff Geary (currently in the minors) in Houston. Coste, who became a phan favorite after a lengthy career in the minors leagues and making the Majors at the ripe rookie age of 33, is a career .282 hitter in 256 games. This season, Coste had a .245 average with 2 homers and 8 RBI in 45 games.

According to recent reports, the Phillies are confident that they can avoid arbitration with Ryan Howard. There is no confirmation whether the agreement would be a one-year or a multi-year deal. If an agreement can not be reached in the coming days, a panel of 3 arbitrators will hear arguments from both the team and the player, next week, and decide on either the Phillies' offer of $14 million, or Howard's requested $18 million. Two local BC Sports Collectibles will be hosting Phillies player autograph signings this week. BC Sports in the King of Prussia Mall will have Chris Coste signing autographs this Wednesday night, 2/4 at 6:30pm. And on Saturday, 2/7, Jamie Moyer will be at the Oxford Valley Mall starting at noon. There are 11 days till the 63rd year of spring training baseball begins in Clearwater, Florida. Jamie Moyer is 46 years old. Ryan Madson has changed his jersey number from 63 to 46. I have no idea if those numbers are all related, but this is a nice little parag...

In the news this week, we heard about the tradition started by Ronald Reagan of outgoing US presidents leaving the incoming new president a note, in the oval office desk. I really think it's quite annoying that the media was permitted to have photo opportunities with the letter but the public is not permitted to learn what might be contained in the letter, but all-in-all, it's a pretty cool tradition. This presidential custom got me thinking what it might be like if the same sort of practice stood in place for baseball managerial changes. What if Larry Bowa wrote a letter to his unknown managerial successor, prior to leaving Gary Varsho in charge in the closing days of the 2004 Phillies season? What would that letter look like...? To whom it may concern, Hi, my name is Larry. I was the manager here before. The team stunk and they always blamed ME. Some guy named Patrick was always causing issues and snubbing me. The guy could barely bat his weight, for average, and he wanted ...