Phillies sign Alfonseca to one-year deal

Phillies sign Utley to seven-year, $85 million extension

Aaron Rowand signs 1-year $4.35 million contract with Phillies

Read the full story on Phillies.com

Fans are asking some pretty good questions on Phillies.com. However, here's one (with answer from writer Ken Mandel) that people don't seem to understand, no matter how many times it comes up ...

How do the Phillies justify paying Adam Eaton $24 million and then say maybe we will give Ryan Howard and Chase Utley a raise for this season, but wait to sign them long term?
-- Howard R., Dover, Del.

This is a variation of the "Why don't they lock up Howard now?" question that was last week's most popular inquiry, yet this same query continues to persist. I answered it then, but maybe it deserves a reiteration. It's not that the Phillies don't want Howard here for many years, because they absolutely do. It's just that they see no reason to sign him to an extension -- yet.

The Phillies control Howard's rights through the 2011 season. He's not eligible for salary arbitration. Jimmy Rollins went through this process and Brett Myers is currently going through arbitration. Cole Hamels will earn close to the Major League minimum this season, too. Granted, none of those players won the National League MVP Award, but it's a right of passage for young players, whether it seems fair or not. Howard will still receive a hefty raise from the Phillies, and could set a record for a third-year player.

Read more questions here.

Phillies Spring Training Tickets Go On Sale Tuesday

Read the full article on Phillies.com

-1st Bright House game scheduled: Feb. 28, vs. Florida State University
-Grapefruit League opens March 2 against Indians