A quick look at the infield trade market. . .
According to CSNPhilly.com, the Phillies are exploring the trade market for infielders. The news makes sense, because the infield play here at camp has been a whole lot of ugly. The Phillies knew they were parting with their most reliable defender when they traded Wilson Valdez away to the Reds this offseason, but the competition to fill in for him hasn't exactly been crisp. Michael Martinez, Kevin Fransden and Pete Orr are among the utility men in camp.
A quick look at the infield trade market. . .
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
According to CSNPhilly.com, the Phillies are exploring the trade market for infielders. The news makes sense, because the infield play here at camp has been a whole lot of ugly. The Phillies knew they were parting with their most reliable defender when they traded Wilson Valdez away to the Reds this offseason, but the competition to fill in for him hasn't exactly been crisp. Michael Martinez, Kevin Fransden and Pete Orr are among the utility men in camp.
It's also worth mentioning again that Chase Utley has yet to play in a Grapefruit League game. The Phillies still say they expect him to be ready by Opening Day, but it's pretty clear that he is going to need a lot of rest this season to combat the chronic tendinitis in his knee. Ty Wigginton can play some second base, but he is not known for his glove. The concern is more second and third base since the Phillies think that prospect Freddy Galvis can provide stability there in case of a long-term injury to Jimmy Rollins.
Here are four players currently on major league rosters who could fit the bill:
1. Alberto Callaspo, Angels - Callaspo has a little Placido Polanco in him, carrying a career .281/.337/.389 batting line, including .288/.366/.375 line last season. The 29-year-old infielder will make $3.15 million this season and is under club control through 2013. He is primarily a second and third baseman, although he has played some short stop and out field.
2. Maicer Izturis, Angels - The 32-year-old utility man is coming off a career-high 494 plate appearances and a .276/.334/.388 batting line. He started 44 games at second base, 35 games at third base and 14 games at short stop for the Angels in 2011. Izturis doesn't appear to have a spot in the starting line-up, and he'll make $3.8 million this year before hitting free agency.
3. Jeff Baker, Cubs - Baker will be a free agent after the season and the Cubs do not expect to contend this year. In 567 career plate appearances against lefties he has hit .309/.360/.526 with 22 home runs. If you are looking for a right-handed bat off the bench and somebody who can give Chase Utley a blow against lefties, he could be fit.
4. Robert Andino, Orioles - The 28-year-old has played solid defense at second and third, and his .264//327/.344 line in 511 plate appearances last season is more than you can probably expect out of Michael Martinez.
Guys like Andino and Baker would probably be easier to acquire than Callaspo or Izturis, neither of whom gives the Angels a huge reason to look to deal. How much is a utility man worth? The Phillies might have to decide on an answer at some point this spring.
Makes you wonder why they traded the reliable Valdez. He wasn't making that much money, either.— 76er- He's making neither a mil this year; not the league minimum that he was making with us. That's a relatively decent amount when you're trying to stay away from the luxury tax.— TID
- neither = nearly. And Martinez costs half that and played a solid infield last year. There was no need to have two guys on the bench without any pop in their bat. So you keep the one that costs half of what Valdez costs. Pretty simple.— TID
- neither = nearly. And Martinez costs half that and played a solid infield last year. There was no need to have two guys on the bench without any pop in their bat. So you keep the one that costs half of what Valdez costs. Pretty simple.— TID
- Makes me wonder why they are not giving the shot at 2nd if Chase doesn't start the season. As long as he gets his ab's why not give him a shot. He is begging to play all 3 infield positions and it would be nice to see a young kid in our line up. Bite the bullet and try him but that is only if Chase doesn't start the season— pattymac3
- My first thought was they traded away Valdez and now they're looking for another guy like him. Maybe one that hits more. And pattymac, if you're talking about Freddy Galvis, you might have said so.— PhillySubsMac
- Galvis is better than all these guys. He'll get enough AB's as Rollins, Polanco, & Utley never stay healthy.— FetchDixon
- Galvis needs to prove he can hit AAA pitching first. He only played 33 games in AAA last year, and while he hit .298, he managed only 3 walks in 126 plate appearances. That's a big red flag. He's also only played a handful of games anywhere other than SS. Callaspo, Izturis, and Baker are all much better hitters and have played plenty of 2B/3B. If they can get one of those guys without giving up a top prospect, it's worth it. The Angels might be a good spot for Joe Blanton, who would step in as a big upgrade in their #5 starter slot.— ColonelTom
- sorry, none of the four guys mentioned are old enough. come back in 5 years.— bubba church & granny hamner
- They traded Valdez because he's 32 and can't hit. OK? Seeing how shaky Mikey Mart's defense has been, I'm glad they're exploring. It may hurt him long-term but I'd rather see Galvis make the club and back up Rollins and Utley as much as possible. Galvis has had a good spring so far -- bunting, running, fielding. That's my guess as to what Ruben will do.
— eman - Remember when Utley and J Roll was the best double play combo you've ever seen ? J Roll negotiated his own contract, and was playing for small change compared to others in the infield. No one shed a tear about how little he was paid. Valdez leaves, and you'd think someone stole the crown jewels. I along with many of you mourn the loss of the real crown jewels, the gems in our minor league system.
What do we have left ? Not much it seems when we think Galvis can step in as a middle infielder, and an outfielder that can't field in any position, but is in consideration for a job in the outfield.
To expect anyone , even Amaro, to find the immediate solution to the problems is ludicrous at best. Players aren't tires. You have many places to buy tires, pump them up, and drive off.
If players were that easy to find, we'd have a inflated new infield, and a left fielder.
As it stands, quit acting like an ostrich. Get your head out of the sand ! You have a first baseman who very possibly is done as a player. A second baseman who may be the same, a catcher who's overworked, and missing is one who can hit to fill in. While age is a factor, injuries are the main concern. The only thing left to trade may be a pitcher or two who may bring some semblance of needed talent to continue to compete as they have been.
When we emptied the minor league of talent, we sold our souls for immediate gratification. Now comes the time , we must pay the piper.
I'd guess 102 wins are definitely out of the question. It's
a long season. Other teams have problems too, however their farm system may be of use to them.— phineas - Trade Brown, Blanton and Kendrick for David Wright, move Polly to second and Chase to first...... Bring Ryan back slowly and keep everyone healthy for the WS run....— IdahoMoose
- See if David Bell wants to make a comeback.— lgroniko
Since 2010, it just got uglier. Last year was the year to win before the Bone Collector came to call. Howard, Utley, JRoll, and Polanco are the payers. RAJ has done a good job of holding him off, but it's time to ante-up. The intangibles came crashing in. The $45mil infield is really in shambles and you're stuck with the Contracts. Right now, Valdez is the perfect fit, but it's too late. Howard is done, FA Derek Lee is available. Polanco is going to be crawling, how about Trumbo (1ST & 3RD)? Maicer Izturis is a good choice for 2ND & SS, or Kevin Youkilis, 3RD & 1ST. No matter which direction the Phils go it looks like a patchwork infield.- The names mentioned are not serious options for the Phils who felt they had so much infield depth during the offseason that they traded away Wilson Valdez. The Phils would go with Martinez or Galvis before any of these guys. The Phils need another infielder but a power hitting infielder to help make up for the temporary loss of Howard and Utley and the permananent loss of Ibanez. I don't know if Michael Young is still tired of being a DH and still looking to leave Texas. He would be an option. The injured and very expensive David Wright was never a real option. Probably the smartest move would be to acquire free agent Derrek Lee who is available and probably affordable. He has won the Gold Glove at first base on multiple occasions and hit over .300 for the Pirates last year. Acquiring him would take the pressure off Howard to make a quicker-than-advisable return. When he did come back, he would be able to platoon with Lee until he was 100% at which point Lee could be a pinch hitter, defensive sub and DH against American League teams. Thome is not an option at first. Nix is a big question mark as is Brown. Mayberry can play first base, but the Phils need Mayberry and someone like Lee in the lineup to compensate for their power loss.
