Phillies, Polanco agree to deal
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Phillies, Polanco agree to deal
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
UPDATED: The Phillies have confirmed the 3-year, $18 million deal with a mutual option for a fourth year.
“We’re very happy to have Placido back in a Phillies uniform,” Ruben Amaro Jr said in a statement. “He’s a professional hitter who will enhance our lineup. As a Gold Glove infielder, we’re very confident that he will make a smooth transition back to third base. Polly also gives us some added versatility at second base if and when Chase needs a rest.”
Earlier: The Phillies have agreed to a deal with veteran infielder Placido Polanco to replace Pedro Feliz at third base, several sources confirmed today. The deal is expected to be announced once Polanco passes a physical, a formality for the durable former Detroit Tiger.
Polanco arrived in Philadelphia earlier today after the Phillies and his agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, hammered out the final details of the deal.
There's little doubt that the signing of Polanco represents a good value on the offensive side of the plate in the short-term. Had the Phillies exercised Feliz's option, they would have paid the veteran third baseman $5.5 million this season, which is $500,000 less than they will reportedly pay Polanco (although the Phillies did pay Feliz a $500,000 buy-out). In two years in Philadelphia, Feliz hits .259 with a .306 on base percentage and a .393 slugging percentage for a .699 OPS. Curiously, the power that he had displayed in hitting at least 20 home runs in each of the previous four seasons for the Giants disappeared despite cozier home confines in Citizens Bank Park. Feliz managed just 26 home runs in 2008-09, an average of one per every 38.7 at-bats, well below the rate (1/26.1) at which he hit in San Fran.
During that same time frame, Polanco bested Feliz in virtually every offensive category, hitting .295 with a .340 on base percentage, .407 slugging percentage, .747 OPS, 18 home runs, 130 RBI, and 172 runs scored while converting 14-of-17 stolen base attempts.
But the Phillies' decision to give Polanco a three-year deal may raise some eyebrows. The versatile veteran will be 34 on Opening Day, and his batting average, on base percentage and slugging percentage have decreased over the last three seasons, from .341/.388/.458 in 2007 to .285/.331/.396 in 2009. Plus, while Polanco won a Gold Glove at second base, he has not played third base since leaving the Phillies midway through the 2005 seasons.
The Phillies gave 46-year-old Jamie Moyer a two-year contract prior to last season. After a subpar 2009 in which he lost his spot in the rotation before undergoing season-ending surgery, the Phillies are now comitted to him at $8 million for next season. They also cut Geoff Jenkins prior to last season, despite owing him $6.5 million on a two-year deal he signed prior to the 2008 seasons. Their decision to give veteran outfielder Raul Ibanez a three-year contract last year also raised some eyebrows.
Terrible signing so dissapointed here come the late 90's all over again. Why not go get an actual 3rd baseman Beltre is younger a better fielder and probably would hit 30hr in our park we just got Eric Bruntlett rhe 2nd coming I could just throw up seeing this— Bob Crogan- JLB, they don't pronounce it Polly like the girl's name. It's like Pole-y.— Nutburgers
- Glad to get this done and PP should be an improvement in hitting. Next up....relievers.— psuwelsh
- Ruben "Ed Wade" Amaro can't help himself. Feliz is a better fielder and hitter. This signing is a joke.— Dr. Michael
- Excellent move to get a great bat and glove. To the moron who thinks (?) Amaro has done a "pretty terrible job" you need to put away the bong!!— soprano50
- Need Derosa as well.— scootch
- Polanco will be changing positions, sure, but I don't see the massive drop-off in defense form Feliz. Read some national news sources and Feliz's defense isn't quite as worshiped as it is in Philly. Which one won a gold glove last year? Oh right the new (old) guy.— JettMartinez
- All these complainers are probably the same people who cried last year when the Phillies chose Ibanez over Burrell. How did that work out? This is a great baseball move, solid hitter, good fielder. Good teammate.— Gary Varsho
- Was hoping for Figgins, ahh well! Loved Placedo when he was here, was sorry to see him go, but we have to remember he won a gold glove at second base not third, he did OK here at third but was not a gold glover, hope we aren't giving anything up there. He should hit a little better here than Feliz but we'll have to wait and see. Appreciate what Feliz gave us while he was here, just sayin'...— DJ
- Either/or. what are you talking about? Polanco has won 3 gold gloves- Pedro none. He has a better on base % then Pedro plus you can bat him 2nd and move either Shane or Jimmy down to the 7 hole so you turn the lineup over again. lonewolf- did you watch the playoffs this year when Feliz left 9 RISP in the world series alone, that isn't clutch and that poor post season performance is what sealed his fate in Philly.— bobf876
- Ruben Amaro turned Jason Jaramillo into Ronny Paulino who became Tyler Walker which became a need to sign Brian Schneider. Brilliant!— Either/Or
- Yes we understand David, but what you followed up with is an even stronger statement on what your opinions are my friend. I mean, look at his head - that aint normal.— phillyjeffsr
- farside -- you obviously don't follow baseball if you want a punk like Adrian Beltre on this team. He is brutal.— UncleEddie
- Stupid move. Beltre would have been better. Amaro will soon have the city pleading for the return of Ed Wade.— Manor2009
- Makes our lineup much more dynamic. Fewer strikeouts, higher OBP, extends rallies. Minimal power and defense drop-offs. Allows us to spell Chase, who is awesome when fresh. Gets Dobbs more AB's, with which he has been a better pinch-hitter. Respected player and leader. Low cost, too, saving leftover dollars for our biggest need -- top-flight pitching.— PhilaLogic
