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.
Hit Polanco 2nd, Victorino 1st and drop Jimmy to 7th and you've got a much improved line-up. Please don't let Jimmy continue to lead-off.— CMI- Don't like it all that much. I wanted Beltre, I think he's a better hitter and a better fielder. But the issue here was as much second base as third. I think Rueben wanted someone who could play both positions so he could rest Utley more and use Dobbs at third. That's why the two guys they were focusing on were Polanco and DeRosa. Now Polanco can cover second for the ten or fifteen games Utley sits. But this was our one chance to really strengthen our offense this year, and I don't think this does enough.— lashner
- Now we will find out just how good Jimmy is on defense.
- Eh, it's an ok trade. Upgrade on O, downgrade on D. Will love this trade if it's followed up with a decent starting pitcher signing.— evlowl
- I like it too.— Rudykizuty
- HEY: A good move. Polanco can hit. I'm a little worried about his range to his left. More doubles may be hit down the line. He can only cheat over so far.— mungman
- Great for the lineup, not so great for defense. Polanco's no Feliz at third. I was hoping for Figgins.— misteripi
- Polanco is a tough out at the plate, much like Rauuuuuullll. I like it. Fielding ??? He can field just fine.— dondon
- Phillies are messing up by not going for it now. They should be going all out to win now. They should have signed Figgins, and Halliday. I don't care if it costs them their future. They have to realize that their future is now. The core of their team is getting older, and soon they will start losing guys (i.e. Werth) to free agency. They are going on the cheap which will cost them the chance to win another WS.— Bobphxville
Comment removed.- I wouldn't be surprised if Pedro is left without a job during Spring training...watch us get him back for 2.5 mil...— Hollywood Junkie
- Comment removed.
- So for the same amount of money, the Phillies get about the same production (that is Polanco doesn't keep trending downwards in stats) and a MUCH lesser glove. Why didn't they just pick up Feliz's option? Now Rollins is going to have to stretch his defense to compensate Polanco's lesser range - there's a reason Rollins had awesome defensive years while Feliz was here: he knew anything to his left would be vacuumed up. Now? Not so much.— bdm155
- The Phils are going with these lower cost options because they are making a play for Halladay— lefty1117
- David-We know you needed to post your response to cover yourself in case of a libel charge. Of course it is what you were saying. Don't insult WRU or your other reader by saying that is not what you are implying.— NMPartners
