Phillies Network

Hunter Pence will return to the Phillies in 2012 on a one-year, $10.4 million deal. Pence is arbitration-eligible through 2014. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Within a week’s time, the Phillies took three of their four arbitration-eligible players off the board. That left one player left to deal with before the core of the 2012 team would be signed for the season.

Looks like the Phillies’ will be eating good for another season.

The Phillies have signed Hunter Pence to a one-year, $10.4 million deal, avoiding arbitration.

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Juan Pierre stole a league-leading 68 bases in 2010 with the Chicago White Sox. Pierre will join the Phillies in Spring Training on a minor-league deal. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

The Phillies didn’t have many moves left to make as the countdown to Spring Training turns from months to weeks to days. But Ruben Amaro Jr. did say he wanted one last bench piece for the 2012 Phillies. He specifically noted speed.

The Phillies now have that speedy threat that could win the game with his feet in late-game spots. Juan Pierre, the well-traveled outfielder, has signed a minor-league deal with the Phillies.

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Brad Lidge celebrates the final out of the 2008 World Series with Carlos Ruiz. Lidge capped a perfect season in relief by saving all 48 of 48 games. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Several of the Phillies’ free agent names had predictable destinations. Many of them seemed destined to stay right here in Philly. Jimmy Rollins was a no-brainer. Ryan Madson seemed like one until the Phillies pulled the trigger on a deal for Jonathan Papelbon.

Raul Ibanez and Roy Oswalt left a memorable mark during their time with the Phillies, but ultimately, knew as well as the fans did that their time in Philly was up.

And then, there is Brad Lidge.

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Jim Thome salutes the Philadelphia crowd after his 400th career home run on June 14, 2004. (AP Photo/H. Rumph, Jr.)

Every year, there seems to be another face that joins the Phillies that ultimately has paid their dues long enough. They deserve to be a World Series champion.

For several Phillies, playing in Philadelphia in 2012 could be the last gasp effort in winning a championship.

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Hunter Pence, acquired from Houston in July last season, says it's "World Series or bust" for the Phillies in 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Hunter Pence has been a Phillie for less than a year. He doesn’t have a full season under his belt. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t get the team’s message loud and clear.

Pence made the goals of the 2012 Phillies known in an interview on WIP last week, saying “it’s World Series or bust” for the Phillies this season.

He couldn’t be any more right.

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Andy Musser throws a ceremonial first pitch before calling his final game with the Phillies on Sept. 23, 2001. Musser passed away on Sunday at the age of 74. (Tom Gralish/Philadelphia Daily News)

Andy Musser called his last game with the Phillies on Sept. 23, 2001. His final call: a walk-0ff home run by then Phillies’ catcher Johnny Estrada to give the Phillies a 5-4 win over the Florida Marlins.

I’ll be honest; I don’t remember any game called by Andy Musser. The only time I can even remember hearing his voice was during the television broadcast of Veterans Stadium’s closing ceremonies. And yet, the news of Andy Musser’s passing at age 74 yesterday still hurt.

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One of Jamie Moyer's milestones with the Phillies came in May 2009, when he picked up career victory No. 250. (AP Photo/H. Rumph Jr)

One of the hardest things to watch is someone dealing with is heartbreak.

In September 2009, Jamie Moyer fired a pitch that was drilled to centerfield. The ball’s path became a non-issue as Shane Victorino tracked it down. Moyer; however, was another story.

After throwing the pitch, he crumbled on the mound with what would be a season-ending injury. Moyer tore three muscles on the pitch, and would face a long recovery.

Somehow, in 2010, he was back for another year, until once again, injury took its toll. Moyer suffered an injury just after the All-Star break that would force to miss much of the season again. Then, in Winter Ball that offseason, in another comeback attempt, suffered an elbow injury that would eventually require Tommy John surgery.

At age 48, Moyer’s career seemed all but over, marking a sad end to a storied career.

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Cole Hamels will return for his seventh season with the Phillies in 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)

With the signing of a one-year deal, the Phillies sealed Cole Hamels’ fate. For now, anyway.

Hamels will be the top free agent pitcher on the market following the 2012 season, a thought that is scary considering just what the young lefty could offer any team.

Hamels has the capability to be an instant ace wherever he plays. But as a Phillie, Hamels ranks third behind Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. Lee is a pretty good example to use when discussing Hamels’ future.

Hamels is looking for big money, and will likely get it from someone.

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It isn't a long-term deal, but Cole Hamels is back with the Phillies for a one-year deal in 2012. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Two more arbitration-eligible Phillies have agreed to deals, including the Phillies’ biggest free agent to be in 2012.

Cole Hamels avoided arbitration with the Phillies, agreeing to a one-year, $15 million deal. This keeps Hamels locked up with the Phillies for another season, before he enters the free agent market following the 2012 season.

The Phillies also avoided arbitration with utility man Wilson Valdez, agreeing to a one-year, $930,000 deal.

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Ruben Amaro Jr.'s biggest signing of the offseason was for closer Jonathan Papelbon, who signed with the Phillies for four years, $50 million. (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)

With Spring Training just a month away, the Phillies are gearing up for another season, and the man who assembles the team is ready for another season, and pleased with the offseason results. Here is latest from Ruben Amaro Jr.

• Amaro isn’t quite done assembling his team just yet. Aside from keeping tabs on Brad Lidge, the Phillies have checked in on Francisco Cordero, Chad Qualls and Jeremy Accardo. Amaro said he would like to add another left-handed reliever, but chances are he’ll have a better chance filling that internally than with another signing.
• Among the other improvements, Amaro would also like to add one additional bench player particularly skilled in speed, perhaps for late-game baserunning situations.
• Now that Ryan Madson is a Red, Amaro made it clear that he was happy with the way the Phillies’ closer situation turned out. The Phillies signed Jonathan Papelbon to a four-year, $50 million deal after nearly striking a deal with Madson, before letting Madson go. “That’s the beauty and difficulty of free agency,” Amaro said. “We  knew there were other teams who were going to be very competitive in the  market for closers. Once we got to an AAV (average annual value) of  $12.5 million with Papelbon, we felt that was a reasonable deal for us  to make….Markets can be fluid and difficult to gauge. I’m happy with the player we have.”
• Even with Ryan Howard’s recovery being speedy and successful, Amaro said he and the team are “very cautious” about Howard’s recovery. Don’t expect Howard to be ready for Opening Day, as Amaro said he will serve DL time, but did say it would be “great” if the Phillies saw Howard return by May.
• In trying to make up for Howard’s absence, the Phillies seem to be content with the options they have internally. That includes the Phillies’ first free agent move this offseason, Jim Thome. Amaro says Thome could end up playing first base four or five times a month. “Our medical people are surprised at the shape he’s in,” Amaro said.  “They think he might be better now than he was when we first signed him  in 2002.” While the Phillies will likely use Ty Wigginton and John Mayberry Jr. to fill the void for Howard’s absence, Thome could give those guys a much-needed day off.