Morning (Almost Lunch) Extras: Phillies Kick Gagne's Tires & Birds Stuff

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Still hoping to bolster their bullpen, the Phils are once again looking into big names from five years ago. The latest is former Cy Young winner and owner of the longest consecutive saves streak in MLB history, Eric Gagne. He last pitched in the bigs for Milwaukee in 2008, going 4-3 in 50 appearances with a 5.44 ERA and 10 saves.

It's cool Amaro is willing to give former All Stars such as Pedro Martinez a look, and that one certainly didn't work out too badly for them. Gagne just seems too far removed from those three seasons between '02 and '04, when he pitched in an astounding 224 games for the Dodgers. Now he has the appearance of a broken down player, one whose name has come up in the steroid scandal at that.

Gagne, a Montreal native, pitched for the Quebec Capitales in the independent Can-Am league in '09. In 17 starts, he went 6-6 with a 4.65 ERA, and 64 strikeouts to 34 walks. Not sure how much to read into those statistics, but the strikeout to walk ratio is telling. In his best days, that number was closer to 7:1. In recent years, it's been 2:1. It's unclear what kind of ball player the Phillies would be getting, but it will never be the same guy who broke records and won awards.

It's just a tryout though. Thoughts on the possibility of adding Eric Gagne?

Eagles long snapper Jon Dorenbos became the seventh Eagle to make this year's Pro Bowl in Miami. It's not terribly interesting news, but it is notable how he made the team: Wade Phillips.

The Cowboys head man will run the NFC squad this year (rather than the loser of NFC Championship, due to the game being moved up two weeks), and as Michael David Smith explains at PFT, the coach is allowed to select two additional "need" players for the game. Phillips chose Dorenbos, who has been solid since joining the club in 2006.

Donovan McNabb is expected to replace either Brees or Favre on the roster, giving Philly eight representatives in the game.

Quote of the moment by Shawn Andrews, heard on Sports Bash with Mike Gill on ESPN Radio 97.3, relayed by Moving the Chains:

"When I came out to LA after my back issue, I had to look coach Reid in the eye and tell him I owe him," Andrews said. "It’s bigger than football with me right now. If nothing else, I just wish that I could get just one more season just so I can pay coach Reid and just prove to the fans that I still have it, I still want to be a part of this organization. And for coach Reid sticking by me with my situation in 2008, and I definitely owe the city of Philadelphia so hopefully lord willing, I can get back to 100 percent and get to mashing people again."

CSN went to the trouble of compiling a list of what Eagles quarterbacks might fetch in a trade. The results are kind of all over the board, but the consensus was McNabb for a first or high second, Kolb anywhere from a late first to not even a second, and Vick some kind of conditional mid-round pick.

I think they're right on the money with McNabb, who could be worth as high as a first and a third. Vick too, who could easily go for a fourth as we discussed yesterday. Not surprisingly, it's Kolb who didn't get the respect of the panel. Some really smart football guys (Brian Baldinger, Ray Didinger) had him rated no higher than a third round pick. Obviously nobody knows yet what the true market is for any of these guys, but it seems like the Eagles would want a closer return on their investment. A high second round pick who became the first player to throw for 350-plus in his first two starts?

Starting quarterbacks are worth a premium. If a team believes in Kevin Kolb enough to trade for him, the Eagles will almost certainly ask for more.

The Sixers are back in action at the Wach tonight against Portland. Tip at 7:00. That's all I have to say about that.

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