K-Rod Doesn't Scare Phillies

The Philadelphia Daily News caught up with Phillies GM Ruben Amaro after word broke that the Mets would be adding Francisco Rodriguez to their roster.

"I don't think it affects us much," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. insisted yesterday at the winter meetings at the posh Bellagio. "They've had Billy Wagner, and we still beat them the last 2 years in our division. 

It doesn't look like there's going to be any dropoff in the NL East feud because the Phillies won the World Series. Amaro's right not to feel pressured because of one signing. The Mets still have more holes in their team than the Phillies. K-Rod may turn ninth inning leads into wins at a steady clip, but getting those leads to him relies on the Mets making significant upgrades to their rotation and their bullpen.

Omar Minaya made a smart and thrifty move by adding Rodriguez to his team without breaking the bank. He needs to use that leftover money to plug in as many productive players as he can before next season.