Fox Sports: Phils could offer 2 year, $10-12 million to Polanco
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Fox Sports: Phils could offer 2 year, $10-12 million to Polanco
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
The Phillies have the wherewithall - and desire - to sign veteran infielder Placido Polanco to a two-year contract worth between $10 and $12 million, FoxSports.com reported Wednesday night, citing a "source familiar with the Phillies intentions."
Earlier this evening, the Phillies' official web site said that the team had entered into serious discussions with Polanco, and that they had made them their No. 1 target to replace veteran Pedro Feliz at third base. Polanco, who played third base for the Phillies from 2002-05 but has played second base since being traded to the Tigers midway through the 2005 season, just finished a four-year, $16 million contract in Detroit.
Devoting $6 million to third base would leave the Phillies with decent financial flexibility to bolster their bullpen and perhaps add another bench piece. Infielder Juan Castro and back-up catcher Brian Schneider will combine to make $2 million next season, giving the Phillies $108 million committed to 14 players. Once arbitration raises are awarded to center fielder Shane Victorino and righthander Joe Blanton and the salaries for J.A. Happ, Carlos Ruiz and Ben Francisco are figured in, the Phillies should have approximately $14 million remaining to spend before reaching the $137 million that they ended up doling out last season.
Are the Phillies going to even try to get the better fit in Chone Figgins? I really don't see the improvement of Polanco over Feliz at this point - hitting's slightly better, but his fielding can't be up to the quality of Pedro at 3rd. This is disappointing.— bdm155- Can't stand the Phillies nickel and dime approach. We lived through this in the 90's: cheap talent yields cheap results. $137 million payroll is considerable, but they did draw 3.6 million paying customers and are upping the ticket prices. Phils need to sign Figgins.— Manor2009
chone would be the guy who elevates the team. polanco would spell utley some rest. the phils should go for it, and get chone to make an all star infield and outfield complete. then the usual trade deadline deals for a pitcher, and utility guy where needed. smoltz is not a good choice. they quickly cut meyers who would have fit nicely. so far they aren't really going for gold.— Evilvet- Complaining about a .300 hitter and not giving up a draft pick? Losers.— HandNik
- Apparently the Phils aren't prepared to shell out for Beltre. Signing Polanco feels like a lateral move. Sigh.— CarpGuy
- I love Polance but his numbers have declined the last two years plus you are moving him from second base to third. I like the move if he is to replace Utley, Rollins, or the starting third baseman for a rest or injury but not to start. I would rather see Beltre at third. Polance or Derosa as super utility types....THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A WORLD SERIES CONTENDER SO SIGN THE PLAYERS THAT FIT AND DON"T SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST— usn1223
- I can't believe they're going after Polanco when Rick Schu is still available.— youpeoplehaveissues
- Polanco has totaled less than 50 games at third over the past seven seasons. Now, he's suddenly the Phillies answer at 3B? This is the sort of move the Phillies would make back in the '90s. It's been a terrible offseason for Amaro so far.The Phillies have a very small window of opportunity with this nucleus, and instead of making a bold move they're content to bring in a bunch of retreads.— Jeff Dowder
- I have to agree that we have a 2 year maybe 3 year windows with this current team to contend for a w.s. and we should be going for the big guys. There are many players who now realize that the phillies are for real( back to back w.s.) and it shouldn't be that hard to reel them in to play in philly and maybe give those guys a chance for w.s. ring.I'm not a baseball wizard by any means but i'm just say'in.— 4u2digest
- NO to Placido. Great defense at second base does NOT always mean great defense at third base! He seems to have a NICE personality. He DOES work hard at the game. He brings less strike out: NICE! He does NOT walk that much. (In the past this was a concern by many here in Philly.) He is NOT a base stealing threat. He does NOT bring more power to this position. He does NOT hit a lot of extra base hits. He is NOT a home run guy. Getting rid of Pedro and obtaining another third baseman was to be, according to the Phillies, an "upgrade." Placido is a nice hitter yet, in general, his batting stats have been going southward the past two years. Is this a trend worth considering as he is not getting younger? He is NOT an extra base or power person. How would this be an "upgrade?"
As much as I like Feliz's defense and occasional power, he was more often than not a rally killer at the plate. Polanco won't do that. Add in the ability to spell Utley, who shouldn't play more than 145-150 games a year, and you have enough reasons to sign Polanco. And BTW, while it's nice to dream about the power of a Beltre or a Tejada, the Phillies actually have quite enough power. What they need is a guy who won't strike out and can advance the runner by hitting to right, rather than roll over another double play ball.- Yes to Polanco. He's a clutch hitter, he'll bat near the top of the lineup and get on base for Chase and Howard, and he's a reigning gold glover (albeit at a different position.) The only thing I'll regret about this signing is that Harry the K won't get to say his name again, it was one of those names Harry loved to say.— vetlincbank
- I agree with Hanknik, he is a much better hitter and I think it is a push defensively. I dont understand Manor2009, nickel and dime, they will have a payroll in the 130 million range how is that nickel and dime. The Phillies seem to have done pretty good with there approach in the last several years. I must have been sleeping thru the 90's, when did the phillies make back to back world series in the 90's. how quickly they forget.— sportsfan63
- Was Ruben Amaro in a coma in 2002? Placido Polanco is not a 3rd basemen.— booman55
- Polanco's numbers at 3rd were slightly better than Rolen's when he played for us. This is a no brainer, provided we get the Polanco of the Tiger years and not the Polanco of the first Philly years.— Mark1npt
