Ryan Madson Raises, Destroys Hope of Accepting Arbitration

"Ryan may not find the deal he wants since he isn’t the only guy to turn to out there.  He could, and people with actual information have suggested this, accept arbitration and try his luck as a free agent next season.  Now, if you’re a sports fan, you know better than to get your hopes up.  The Phillies have a closer, and there’s no reason to think this will all work out so heavily in our favor that we’re all anybody will talk about for months to come.–Me, before"

After that last sentence, I had put a picture of the SI cover that featured our 2011 rotation, because this is sort of a funny blog and we like to joke and have fun around here.

From a blog post that will never see the light of day, I once romanced the notion that Ryan Madson would stay a Phillie.  That day is far behind us now, as the closer of the future passed on arbitration and will undoubtedly have a big nice fun career in some other city.

I’d love to have a thick paragraph here explaining what arbitration is, but frankly, the Winter Meetings have sapped me of all descriptive prowess.  Basically it’s like Ruben Amaro extended his hand out to Ryan and Ryan slapped it away, then disappeared into the night with his head bowed and not a word spoken.

I probably think this because I imagine the Winter Meetings taking place in a dark, soundless forest filled with eerie men in suits.  Some of them have ferocious dogs on leashes.

Sadly, my misunderstanding of almost every aspect of what’s happening has prevented me from reporting on it accurately.  Which is probably fine, because I am not a reporter.  The truth is, it is sad to see Ryan go and a teensy bit sad because for 60 seconds we thought we’d get it all again.