2013 Chachi Transactions #18 Jose Contreras

Similar to a post I ran this time last year, I wanted to record for posterity's sake the 2012-2013 offseason transactions made by the Phillies.  I last updated this list on February 4th and I starred the players below who weren't featured on that list almost eight months ago.

Jose Contreras ended up appearing in seven games with the Pirates in May, but he was released following seven appearances in which he allowed five runs in five innings.  The Red Sox organization picked him up on July 19th, but he was released a month later without ever having appeared with the big club.

And wouldn't it have been nice to have Nate Schierholtz around this year?  Acquired last summer in the Hunter Pence deal, Schierholtz was essentially released by the Phillies in November in order to preserve a roster spot for Laynce Nix.  Nix was released by the Phils in mid-August after posting a .180 average in 81 games.  Schierholtz signed with the Cubs and has had a career year.

Moving On

Jason Pridie (10/6/12) - Filed for free agency (Signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles, 11/6/12).

Tyson Brummett (10/18/12) - Claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.

David Herndon (10/23/12) - Claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays (Signed a split contract with the New York Yankees, 11/20/12).

Juan Pierre (10/29/12) - Filed for free agency (Signed with the Miami Marlins, 11/17/12).

Brian Schneider (10/29/12) - Filed for free agency (Retired, 1/29/13).

Jose Contreras (10/29/12) - Team option declined (Signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, 2/23/13).

Placido Polanco (10/29/12) - Team option declined (Signed with the Miami Marlins, 12/20/12).

Ty Wigginton (10/29/12) - Team option declined (Signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, 12/14/12).

Nate Schierholtz (11/30/12) - Non-tendered (Signed with the Chicago Cubs, 12/21/12).

Vance Worley (12/6/12) - Traded to the Minnesota Twins with Trevor May for Ben Revere.

Josh Lindblom (12/8/12) - Traded to the Texas Rangers with Lisalverto Bonilla for Michael Young and cash.

*Michael Schwimer (2/23/13) - Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Art Charles.

New Additions

*Zach Miner (12/1/12) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Detroit Tigers organization.
*Cesar Jimenez (12/5/12) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Seattle Mariners organization.
Ender Inciarte (12/6/12) - Selected in the Rule 5 draft from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Ben Revere (12/6/12) - Acquired from the Minnesota Twins for Vance Worley and Trevor May.

Michael Young (12/8/12) - Acquired from the Texas Rangers with cash for Josh Lindblom and Lisalverto Bonilla.

Mauricio Robles (12/14/12) - Claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.

John Lannan (12/18/12) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Washington Nationals.

Mike Adams (12/20/12) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Texas Rangers.

Delmon Young (1/22/13) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Detroit Tigers.

Chad Durbin (1/29/13) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Atlanta Braves.
*Luis Garcia (3/25/13) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Newark Bears of the independent Canadian-American Association.

Memory Lane
2011-2012 Offseason Moves

2012 Chachi #29 Jose Contreras

#52

Jose Ariel Contreras

Relief Pitcher

Bats: Right  Throws: Right  Height: 6'4"  Weight: 255

Born: December 6, 1971, La Martinas, Cuba

Home: Tampa, FL

Signed: Signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent, February 26, 2003

Teams: New York Yankees 2004, Chicago White Sox 2004-2009, Colorado Rockies 2009, Phillies 2010-

Acquired: Signed as a free agent formerly with the Colorado Rockies, January 28, 2010

Contract Status: Signed through the 2012 season

2011 Chachi #25 Jose Contreras

#52

Jose Ariel Contreras

Relief Pitcher

Bats: Right  Throws: Right  Height: 6'4"  Weight: 255

Born: December 6, 1971, La Martinas, Cuba

Home: Tampa, FL

Signed: Signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent, February 26, 2003

Teams: New York Yankees 2004, Chicago White Sox 2004-2009, Colorado Rockies 2009, Phillies 2010-

Acquired: Signed as a free agent formerly with the Colorado Rockies, January 28, 2010

Contract Status: Signed through the 2012 season

Complete Topps Base Set Checklist:

2003 Topps #612 - Yankees

2004 Topps #116 - Yankees

2004 Topps Traded #T57 - White Sox

2005 Topps #439 - White Sox

2005 Topps Update #125 - White Sox - Postseason Highlights (with Freddy Garcia)

2006 Topps #480 - White Sox

2006 Topps Update #241 - White Sox - All-Star

2007 Topps #482 - White Sox

2008 Topps #248 - White Sox

2009 Topps #577 - White Sox

2011 Topps #267 - Phillies

2011 Topps #267 Jose Contreras

Phillies 3, Marlins 2
Game 14 - Sunday Afternoon, April 17th in Philadelphia

One Sentence Summary:  Ryan Howard scored the go-ahead run on a Carlos Ruiz sacrifice fly in the eighth before Jose Contreras wriggled out of trouble in the ninth, closing out the game for the Phils.

What It Means:  Following last night's rain-out, the Phillies split the abbreviated series with the Fish.  They're now 10-4, with a two game lead in the N.L. East.  The 7-8 Brewers come into town tomorrow night for a three-game set.

What Went Right:  Cole Hamels pitched seven strong innings, but he left the game with the score tied, putting him out of contention for the win.  He allowed seven hits while striking out seven.

The Phils got on the board first with a first inning solo home run from Placido Polanco.  Polanco had three hits on the day, raising his average to .327.  Later in the first, Raul Ibanez drove home Jimmy Rollins with an RBI-single.

In the eighth, Howard reached on an error by left fielder Logan Morrison.  He'd eventually come around to score the winning run on Chooch's sac fly.  Despite walking two men in the ninth, Contreras held the Marlins scoreless and secured his third save of the season.

Featured Card:  He threw almost as many balls as strikes, but Contreras managed to escape his own self-created jam to seal the victory.  This is Big Truck's first Topps base card since 2009, when he was with the White Sox.

Other Stuff:  This is my last "live" game summary post for a few nights due to my work schedule.  The Phillies Room will be on auto-pilot for a little bit, as I've scheduled series preview posts in advance.  I've also scheduled the posting of 2011 Chachi cards #9 through #15 throughout the week.  Go Phils!

2010 Chachi #23 Jose Contreras

Phillies 5, Braves 3

Game 31 - Sunday Afternoon, May 9th in Philadelphia

The bullpen and three solo home runs paved the way to victory for the Phillies on Mother's Day. Using a pink bat in honor of the day, Placido Polanco hit the first of the team's homers in the 2nd inning. Jayson Werth followed in the 3rd and Shane Victorino added his in the 7th. The bullpen trio of Chad Durbin, Jose Contreras and Brad Lidge combined for four scoreless innings, necessitated by Cole Hamels' early exit. Lidge earned his first save of 2010, recording his first two outs on long fly balls that most likely would have tied the game had the wind not been blowing in at the ballpark.

The win capped a successful 7-3 homestand as the Phillies now head out on the road for 6 games in Denver and Milwaukee.

A Special Mother's Day: Prior to the game, an on field ceremony was held to honor the mother of relief pitcher Jose Contreras, 75-year-old Modesta Camejo. Camejo was recently granted permission to come to the U.S., and she hadn't seen her son in the eight years since he had defected from Cuba. (There's a great story on the Phillies website fully detailing the touching reunion.)

Contreras, who assumes the set-up role vacated by an injured Ryan Madson, has been one of the team's most effective relievers so far this year. He's card #23 in the 2010 Chachi set.

Phillies debut: April 8, 2010

Major League debut: March 31, 2003

How acquired: Signed as a free agent formerly with the Colorado Rockies

Others wearing #52 in the 2000s: Steve Schrenk 2000, Felipe Crespo 2001, Carlos Silva 2002-2003, Fabio Castro 2006-2007, Tyler Walker 2009

2009 Postseason: Jose appeared in two relief appearances for the Rockies against the Phillies in the NLDS, allowing a run (on a Carlos Ruiz RBI-single) in his two innings of work.

Pictured: Spring Training action, March 3, 2010