Phillieshome.com | Philadelphia Phillies News, phillies Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> --C Carlos Ruiz has changed his mind (again) and will play for his native Panama in the World Baseball Classic, a decision confirmed by his agent, Marc Kligman. After initially telling Team Panama officials that he would play in the March tournament, Ruiz changed his mind after being included on the provisional roster, claiming that he preferred to stay in spring training to prepare for the season. But after consulting his family, Ruiz has elected to play. "He felt it was important to the citizens of Panama that he's ready to play for them," Kligman told the Phillies' Web site. Phillies officials have been supportive of Ruiz's decision to play for Panama. Ruiz, 30, batted .219 with four home runs and 31 RBIs in 117 games last season. And although the Phillies are hoping for more offense from him in 2009, they are pleased enough with Ruiz's defensive ability and game-calling to anoint him their starting catcher.</div>--RHP Brad Lidge was great as the closer in 2008, going 41-for-41 in save chances and posting a 1.95 ERA in 72 regular-season appearances before allowing one run and saving seven of the Phillies' 11 postseason victories en route to a World Series championship. But Lidge knows he also was lucky -- even when he wasn't. He never intended to miss most of spring training or start the season on the disabled list after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in late February. But knowing his fastball velocity would be lagging in April, he gained better command of his slider, making it even more lethal to hitters. And while Lidge will strive for encore perfection in 2009 -- and pursue Eric Gagne's major-league record of 84 consecutive converted save chances -- he knows that good fortune may be as important as good stuff. Lidge was with the Astros on Aug. 28, 2003, in Houston when Gagne entered in the eighth inning of a two-run game and gave up a deep fly ball to Lance Berkman. Then-Dodgers CF Dave Roberts raced to the warning track, leaped against the fence and made the catch, robbing Berkman of a potential game-tying home run. "If that doesn't happen," Lidge said, "Gagne's streak is cut in half. You need that luck and that good defense behind you. It seems like (Gagne's mark) is a long ways away. Realistically, I don't want to top last year. I just want to go into the season and have a great year and get us back to where we were last year, whatever that entails. If that works out to be no blown saves, great. For me, the goal is to maintain that. But if someone gets a bloop hit and it drops in and it's a blown save but I'm feeling good and pitching well, I'm not going to be upset. I'm braced for that. You always know there's a chance that might happen." --CF Shane Victorino said it was "an honor" to be included on the United States' 45-player provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic. Victorino, 28, emerged as an everyday player last season, batting .293 with 14 home runs, 58 RBIs and 36 stolen bases, and gained national attention in the playoffs by hitting a grand slam against then-Milwaukee ace C.C. Sabathia and a game-tying home run in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series. The final 28-man U.S. roster will be set by Feb. 24. Victorino must be chosen from a group of outfielders that includes Grady Sizemore (Indians), Ryan Braun (Brewers), Brad Hawpe (Rockies), Carlos Quentin (White Sox), Vernon Wells (Blue Jays), Ryan Ludwick (Cardinals) and Curtis Granderson (Tigers). "Who wouldn't want to play for their country?" Victorino said. "It would be a great experience." --LHP Scott Eyre said 2009 might be his final season. Eyre, 36, is entering his 13th major-league season and avoided free agency by signing a one-year, $2 million contract in early November. Eyre, who likely will open the season as the lone lefty in the Phillies' bullpen, is 26-29 with a 4.36 ERA in 575 major-league appearances. After being traded to the Phillies on Aug. 7, he went 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in 19 games and helped to further solidify the NL's best bullpen. --C Chris Coste might be the solution to the Phillies' need for a right-handed pinch-hitter, general Ruben Amaro Jr. said last week. Coste, who will compete in spring training with Ronny Paulino to be the Phils' backup catcher, is a .261 career pinch-hitter and a .303 career hitter with runners in scoring position. He can also play first and third base, although manager Charlie Manuel said he's be reluctant to use Coste at third. The Phillies have expressed interest in veteran free agents Nomar Garciaparra, Moises Alou, Mark Grudzielanek, Rich Aurilia, Kevin Millar and Ty Wigginton to balance their bench, which includes lefty-swinging Greg Dobbs, Matt Stairs and Geoff Jenkins. Garciaparra, a former All-Star and batting champion with the Boston Red Sox, tops the Phillies' wish list, but Amaro said the club is still awaiting word on whether he intends to play in 2009 after being hampered by injuries for most of the past three seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. BY THE NUMBERS: 18 -- In millions of dollars, Ryan Howard's salary demand through arbitration for 2009. The Phillies have countered with a $14 million offer. QUOTE TO NOTE: "You continually learn from the process, but it's difficult in Ryan's case because he's really in uncharted waters. He's had the kind of success that's kind of beyond anybody who's been in his position." -- Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. on the possibility of going to another arbitration hearing with slugging 1B Ryan Howard.

--C Carlos Ruiz has changed his mind (again) and will play for his native Panama in the World Baseball Classic, a decision confirmed by his agent, Marc Kligman. After initially telling Team Panama officials that he would play in the March tournament, Ruiz changed his mind after being included on the provisional roster, claiming that he preferred to stay in spring training to prepare for the season. But after consulting his family, Ruiz has elected to play. "He felt it was important to the citizens of Panama that he's ready to play for them," Kligman told the Phillies' Web site. Phillies officials have been supportive of Ruiz's decision to play for Panama. Ruiz, 30, batted .219 with four home runs and 31 RBIs in 117 games last season. And although the Phillies are hoping for more offense from him in 2009, they are pleased enough with Ruiz's defensive ability and game-calling to anoint him their starting catcher.

--RHP Brad Lidge was great as the closer in 2008, going 41-for-41 in save chances and posting a 1.95 ERA in 72 regular-season appearances before allowing one run and saving seven of the Phillies' 11 postseason victories en route to a World Series championship. But Lidge knows he also was lucky -- even when he wasn't. He never intended to miss most of spring training or start the season on the disabled list after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in late February. But knowing his fastball velocity would be lagging in April, he gained better command of his slider, making it even more lethal to hitters. And while Lidge will strive for encore perfection in 2009 -- and pursue Eric Gagne's major-league record of 84 consecutive converted save chances -- he knows that good fortune may be as important as good stuff. Lidge was with the Astros on Aug. 28, 2003, in Houston when Gagne entered in the eighth inning of a two-run game and gave up a deep fly ball to Lance Berkman. Then-Dodgers CF Dave Roberts raced to the warning track, leaped against the fence and made the catch, robbing Berkman of a potential game-tying home run. "If that doesn't happen," Lidge said, "Gagne's streak is cut in half. You need that luck and that good defense behind you. It seems like (Gagne's mark) is a long ways away. Realistically, I don't want to top last year. I just want to go into the season and have a great year and get us back to where we were last year, whatever that entails. If that works out to be no blown saves, great. For me, the goal is to maintain that. But if someone gets a bloop hit and it drops in and it's a blown save but I'm feeling good and pitching well, I'm not going to be upset. I'm braced for that. You always know there's a chance that might happen."

--CF Shane Victorino said it was "an honor" to be included on the United States' 45-player provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic. Victorino, 28, emerged as an everyday player last season, batting .293 with 14 home runs, 58 RBIs and 36 stolen bases, and gained national attention in the playoffs by hitting a grand slam against then-Milwaukee ace C.C. Sabathia and a game-tying home run in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series. The final 28-man U.S. roster will be set by Feb. 24. Victorino must be chosen from a group of outfielders that includes Grady Sizemore (Indians), Ryan Braun (Brewers), Brad Hawpe (Rockies), Carlos Quentin (White Sox), Vernon Wells (Blue Jays), Ryan Ludwick (Cardinals) and Curtis Granderson (Tigers). "Who wouldn't want to play for their country?" Victorino said. "It would be a great experience."

--LHP Scott Eyre said 2009 might be his final season. Eyre, 36, is entering his 13th major-league season and avoided free agency by signing a one-year, $2 million contract in early November. Eyre, who likely will open the season as the lone lefty in the Phillies' bullpen, is 26-29 with a 4.36 ERA in 575 major-league appearances. After being traded to the Phillies on Aug. 7, he went 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in 19 games and helped to further solidify the NL's best bullpen.

--C Chris Coste might be the solution to the Phillies' need for a right-handed pinch-hitter, general Ruben Amaro Jr. said last week. Coste, who will compete in spring training with Ronny Paulino to be the Phils' backup catcher, is a .261 career pinch-hitter and a .303 career hitter with runners in scoring position. He can also play first and third base, although manager Charlie Manuel said he's be reluctant to use Coste at third. The Phillies have expressed interest in veteran free agents Nomar Garciaparra, Moises Alou, Mark Grudzielanek, Rich Aurilia, Kevin Millar and Ty Wigginton to balance their bench, which includes lefty-swinging Greg Dobbs, Matt Stairs and Geoff Jenkins. Garciaparra, a former All-Star and batting champion with the Boston Red Sox, tops the Phillies' wish list, but Amaro said the club is still awaiting word on whether he intends to play in 2009 after being hampered by injuries for most of the past three seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

BY THE NUMBERS: 18 -- In millions of dollars, Ryan Howard's salary demand through arbitration for 2009. The Phillies have countered with a $14 million offer.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "You continually learn from the process, but it's difficult in Ryan's case because he's really in uncharted waters. He's had the kind of success that's kind of beyond anybody who's been in his position." -- Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. on the possibility of going to another arbitration hearing with slugging 1B Ryan Howard.