The Phils waived him last year and the Astros picked him up

The company said "higher levels of activity" over the finalquarter along with adverse currency movements (Australiandollar) have resulted in Cape narrowly missing its debtreduction target of 30 million pounds. In September last, Cape had said as of June end, its debtstood at under 200 million pounds and it had plans to reduce itby around 30 million by the end of the year. The company also said the integration of its Australianacquisitions remained on track. Cape had made threeacquisitions with a combined annualised turnover of 125 millionpounds in Australia in 2007 Cape shares were up 1.6 percent at 62.5 pence at 0811 GMT. Jeff Kolpack is reporting that former Phillies catcher and fan favorite Chris Coste has agreed to sign a deal with the New York Mets that will guarantee a spot on their 40-man roster come Spring Training.Tom’s Take: It will be hard to see Coste playing for the hated Mets, that is if he makes the team of course.

His story could eventually make it to the big screen, but his best days are behind him at the age of 37. The Phils waived him last year, and the Astros picked him up. Now, he’ll have a chance to earn a job on a bad Mets team. Good luck, Chris. Mike Potter writes that the decision to sign DeWayne Wise to a minor league contract was a good move on the part of Ruben Amaro Jr.

He thinks that Wise could contribute to the Phils this coming season.Tom’s Take: With minor league deals, you never expect anything big to come out of it. Usually, these type of players are guys who are way past their prime or never really showed anything to warrant a guaranteed spot. Wise is a player like that, but who knows, it could pay off or it could not. We shall see. David Murphy thinks that the Phillies will offer Chan Ho Park arbitration when the deadline passes on Tuesday, and he also expects Shane Victorino and Carlos Ruiz to be offered contracts to boot.Tom’s Take: As much as I want to see Park come back to the Phils’ bullpen, I don’t see it happening. He wants to be a starter so if a team wants him, all they have to do is what the Phillies did last season. Give him a chance to start, and when, not if, he blows, send him to he ‘pen.

Victorino and Ruiz will ink deals at some point, at least I expect so. Sam Donnellon says that Chone Figgins would fit nicely atop the Phillies' lineup this season, and that they should sign him to be their third baseman.Tom’s Take: Figgins is everyone’s top target this off-season at the hot corner, however I’d rather not spend the money on a 32-year-old who relies on speed, especially if he wants four to five years at $50 million. I would rather go with a guy who has some power like Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa, or Miguel Tejada; however, I do agree that Figgins would be a good fit with the Phils. For more Phillies coverage, please go to my blog: Phillies Phandom. Jan 7 (Reuters) - Dow Chemical Co (DOW.N) is prepared tomiss next week's deadline to clinch the $15 billion takeover ofRohm & Haas ROH.N in an effort to raise enough cash tocomplete the deal without taking on too much debt, the FinancialTimes reported on its website late on Tuesday. Stocks Mergers & Acquisitions Global Markets The largest U.S. chemical maker said on Tuesday that it willtake legal action against Petrochemical Industries Co of Kuwaitfor backing out of a joint venture. Dow had planned to useproceeds from the joint venture to repay a large part of thedebt financing for the Rohm & Haas acquisition. Dow is considering new partners for the proposed jointventure and has already been approached by two companiesinterested in its basic plastics business, Chief ExecutiveAndrew Liveris told Reuters on Tuesday.