Rumors have it that Roy Halladay and his agent are staying in a hotel in Philadelphia. According to these rumors, Halladay is set to take a physical for the Phillies. They are also saying that the Phil’s are trying to deal Cliff Lee.
While the Phillies are actively pursuing Halladay, there are some parts of these reports that are bothersome.
First: Trading Lee to the Blue Jays for Halladay straight up is absolutely absurd. If they are looking to unload Halladay’s salary for future talent, then getting Lee will not help them considering he only has one season remaining on his current contract.
Second: Having a three team deal that includes dealing Lee makes no sense. Lee is a strikeout pitcher who the Phillies have for at least the 2010 season. While he reaches free agency next season, Ruben Amaro Jr. has been said to have been discussing an extension with Lee’s agent.
Third: Even if the Phil’s do somehow land Halladay, the price will be similar to what it was in July. The Blue Jays will want young talent that could include J.A. Happ, and possibly one of two of the Phil’s top prospects in outfielder Dominick Brown or pitcher Kyle Drabek.
Four: In order to give up that young talent, the Phil’s will have to guarantee a contract extension with Halladay before the trade is complete. With their current salary and their limited budget it wouldn’t be feasible without dealing a major player on the team. Halladay, at the age of 33, by the time next season begins will most likely command CC Sabbathia money (around $20 MM a year).
Other rumors have linked the Phillies to veteran pitcher John Smoltz. Smoltz has received offers from multiple teams according to mlb.com. The Phil’s would look to add the veteran for bull pen help.
In other Phillies news, the team has non-tendered reliever Clay Condrey. The Phil’s can still offer a contract to Condrey, but they were unable to agree on a salary number before the non-tender deadline.
They did however, offer contracts to the other three players who were arbitration eligible (Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, and Carlos Ruiz). Essentially all three of those players have been signed to one-year contracts for the 2010 season. In addition to those three, Chad Durbin was also offered a contract.
Showing posts with label Free agency. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Free agency. Show all posts
Monday, December 14, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
What's on third? Phillies options at third base
With the official start of the free agency at Midnight last night, it is time for the Philadelphia Phillies to start plugging holes in their lineup to bring the trophy back to the City of Brotherly Love.
Let’s start off with third base. Pedro Feliz has done a pretty decent job since signing a two year deal with Philadelphia in January of 2008. Much like the man he replaced at the hot corner, Abraham Nunez, Feliz is without a doubt known for his defense. In his two year stint with Philly, Feliz developed his defense and became one of; if not the best defensive third baseman in the majors (Ryan Zimmerman is pretty good too).
Where Feliz failed to deliver is on the offensive side of the ball. With former third baseman like Mike Schmidt and Scott Rolen, Philly fans became accustomed to having offensive third basemen in the past. In the final two games of the World Series this year, Feliz went 0-8. In fact this post season Feliz hit a measly .167.
With Feliz filing for free agency, the Phillies have some options for the hot corner. Feliz is still one of them. Clearly Ruben Amaro Jr. didn’t feel that Feliz was worth the $5MM option for the 2010 season. The Phil’s could always re-sign him for a lesser amount.
Also out on the free agent market is Chone Figgins. The 31 year old put up solid numbers for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim last season posting a .298 batting average while leading the American League in walks at 101. Figgins will demand more money this season and it is most likely that he will re-sign with the Angels.
Adrian Beltre is also a free agent. Beltre hit .266 for the Seattle Mariners last season (Feliz hit .266). The two-time Gold Glover also belted 8 homeruns last season.
That brings us to Mark DeRosa. The Phillies have been linked to DeRosa for a few seasons and have inquired about signing him. DeRosa hit .255 last season knocking 23 out of the park. He will most likely be looking for a large, multi-year contract.
Currently it seems as if the best option for the Phillies is to re-sign Feliz. His defense is spectacular, and of the free agents at third base, there is no one that is a drastic step up offensively other than Figgins who will command a very high contract to lure him away from the Angels.
It is also clear that the Phillies need to work on their bullpen, bench, and starting pitchers. Make sure you check back at Heads or Tails for the options the Phillies have in those positions within the next couple days.
Let’s start off with third base. Pedro Feliz has done a pretty decent job since signing a two year deal with Philadelphia in January of 2008. Much like the man he replaced at the hot corner, Abraham Nunez, Feliz is without a doubt known for his defense. In his two year stint with Philly, Feliz developed his defense and became one of; if not the best defensive third baseman in the majors (Ryan Zimmerman is pretty good too).
Where Feliz failed to deliver is on the offensive side of the ball. With former third baseman like Mike Schmidt and Scott Rolen, Philly fans became accustomed to having offensive third basemen in the past. In the final two games of the World Series this year, Feliz went 0-8. In fact this post season Feliz hit a measly .167.
With Feliz filing for free agency, the Phillies have some options for the hot corner. Feliz is still one of them. Clearly Ruben Amaro Jr. didn’t feel that Feliz was worth the $5MM option for the 2010 season. The Phil’s could always re-sign him for a lesser amount.
Also out on the free agent market is Chone Figgins. The 31 year old put up solid numbers for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim last season posting a .298 batting average while leading the American League in walks at 101. Figgins will demand more money this season and it is most likely that he will re-sign with the Angels.
Adrian Beltre is also a free agent. Beltre hit .266 for the Seattle Mariners last season (Feliz hit .266). The two-time Gold Glover also belted 8 homeruns last season.
That brings us to Mark DeRosa. The Phillies have been linked to DeRosa for a few seasons and have inquired about signing him. DeRosa hit .255 last season knocking 23 out of the park. He will most likely be looking for a large, multi-year contract.
Currently it seems as if the best option for the Phillies is to re-sign Feliz. His defense is spectacular, and of the free agents at third base, there is no one that is a drastic step up offensively other than Figgins who will command a very high contract to lure him away from the Angels.
It is also clear that the Phillies need to work on their bullpen, bench, and starting pitchers. Make sure you check back at Heads or Tails for the options the Phillies have in those positions within the next couple days.
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