Calm waters once again

The fervor that was the Philadelphia Phillies making some noise this offseason, albeit for only two days, has pretty much subsided with no action. Mike Piazza wants to go to the West Coast and/or the American League and is likely never going to be seen in a Phillies uniform.

As for the Jason Michaels trade with Cleveland for Arthur Rhodes, that's on hold. Cleveland was looking to obtain Michaels only if it went through with a deal to send outfielder Coco Crisp to Boston. That deal is in limbo after the pitcher they were to get for Crisp, Guillermo Mota, failed his physical.

According to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark:

It's possible the Red Sox could substitute a reliever (perhaps highly regarded
prospect Manny Delcarmen), which would allow both trades to take place basically as previously devised. But sources said that the Indians always preferred Reds outfielder Austin Kearns to Michaels.
So it's also possible that, with the firing of Reds GM Dan O'Brien, the Indians and Red Sox will attempt to revive their much-discussed three-way trade with Cincinnati that would have sent Kearns to Cleveland, Crisp to Boston and Matt Clement to Cincinnati. It was O'Brien who killed the most recent version of that one last week.

The outcome of the Michaels saga also will help shape the Phillies starting rotation. If the deal can be made with the Indians for Arthur Rhodes, then Ryan Madson would head to spring training as the fifth starter. If not, there are a number of Phils who will be competing for the spot.

As usual, it's a wait and see situation.