Several baseball executives have been asked recently about out clauses. All agreed they should be granted sparingly. Most said that they were usually last-ditch ways to find common ground in financially driven negotiations with premium players. Not surprisingly, several baseball management types expressed reservations about that idea. Still, the Phillies may not have any choice but to go down this road if they want to retain Rolen past 2002.
Shooting hits home.
The shooting at Granite Hills High School in El Cajon, Calif., on Thursday hit close to home in the Phillies and Pirates organizations. McRoberts graduated last year and was selected by the Phillies in the 14th round of the 2000 draft. Wilson graduated in 1998. According to Mike Arbuckle, the Phils' scouting and player development director, the shooting occurred right outside teacher James Davis' classroom. Davis is a part-time scout for the Phillies.