Phillies decline option on Feliz
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Phillies decline option on Feliz
David Murphy and Daily News staff
The Phillies have declined the option for 2010 on third baseman Pedro Feliz’ contract, general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. announced in a press release. The Phillies had a $5.5 million option, a $5 million salary for 2010 and a $500,000 buyout.
Feliz, 34, batted .266 with 12 home runs and 82 RBI in 158 games for the Phillies this past season. With runners in scoring position, he hit a team-best .336, which ranked 13th among all National League players.
“This doesn’t preclude us from bringing Pedro back next season,” Amaro said in the statement. “While this allows us to explore other opportunities, we will continue to keep the lines of communication open with Pedro and his representative.”
The fact that the Phillies made Feliz a free agent means their personnel department has identified potential candidates who would either provide a substantial upgrade (the Angels’ Chone Figgins, the Mariners’ Adrian Beltre both possess better offensive numbers over the last 3 years and are regarded as solid defenders) or, at the very least, provide better cost efficiency than the money they would pay their incumbent (the Orioles’ Melvin Mora, and the Cardinals’ Mark DeRosa and Troy Glaus and the Tigers’ Placido Polanco are among the veterans who could be available).
Figgins, for example, has hit .301 with a .386 on-base percentage with 117 stolen bases over the last three seasons. But he will be 32 years old on Opening Day (nearly a year older than Jimmy Rollins), has played his entire career with the Angels, and can play second base and the outfield as well as third. Good luck predicting the type of contract he would ultimately receive.
Same goes for Beltre. And what about DeRosa, a player whom the Phillies have long admired, but who is coming off wrist surgery and will be 35 on Opening Day? Is there a team out there who would give the versatile righthanded hitter a hefty multi-year contract? Or might he wind up providing a better value than Feliz?
An offensive upgrade at third base is their best option at improving a lineup that led the National League in runs and home runs, but was prone to maddening stretches of impotence thanks in part to its vulnerability against lefthanded pitchers. But by declining his option, they risk being left with a less attractive option at third.
I won't miss his ground outs to third or his pop foul outs in key situations. I could never understand why he would rarely take an aggressive swing, but would take soft half swings which usually resulted in weak ground outs. He was definitely the most frustrating hitter in the lineup to watch.— talthoff
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- Garrett Atkins anyone? Chase Utley's college teammate and best man at Utley's wedding.— anp27
- They might try to deal one of their young ML catching prospects for a third baseman. No need for both d'Arnaud and Valle down on the Farm at basically the same age and with similar skill sets playing the same position when you need a third baseman and do not have any ML prospects in the system at that positon.— Dull
Figgins would be beyond great. Jimmy might not be happy because he should be knocked out of his leadoff spot with Figgins consistency.— KINGOFZED- This is a surprising move. I was a big fan of Pedro's glove. Bummer.— Phront_Runner
- Wonder if Amaro and Manuel are ready to end the Jimmy Rollins leadoff futility and make a run for Figgins.— chuckw
- No Zim and No Ramirez. These two may be with teams which founder but they are good players that keep those teams at least watchable. I think Richie Allen has it. Hoping to bring down Pedro's cost while dickering with some FA's. As for Chone. Yeah he is older than Rollins but he can play young,is fast, and can field many positions. But, he will want at least a 3 yr. contract. I see him out here in SoCal alot. He is a pretty good, if excitable ball player.— KGKoons
- I would have picked up the option on Feliz but whether its Feliz, Figgans, Beltre or someone else, it won't fix the Phils problem. They have too much LH, strikeout prone power guys that get eaten up by good LH pitchers. They need less strikeouts and more contact guys. They have plenty of power in their lineup already and do not need more. The fix is trading Ibanez for prospects or a 3B if the Phils want an everyday player for him. Francisco can warm left for one season until Taylor is here in 2011 (and Ben bats right). Remember, he hit 15 HR's in part-time duty so he'll provide some pop anyway. The issue isn't who's batting in the 7 hole. Its how can the Phils manage to sustain a rally against lefties when 3-6 is Utley, Howard, Werth and Ibanez. Feliz, Figgans or Beltre do nothing to fix this. Ugh!— bm2626
- phillies have a history of curious salaries. (myers @$12m? burrell @$14m?? ruiz @peanuts??? yo.) the multiple-year contract really sux. should be: you do good, you get good, period. feliz? 3 mill, 5 mill, what's the diff? as someone said, 82 rbi in the seventh hole is damn impressive. still, bring back polanco and i'm a very happy camper.— kiwi
- they better have a plan. i don't think they try to resign him for less.. you don't take that kind of chance for saving 1 million. i don't really like it... he's adequate. nobody is much better, if at all better, in Free Agency, so know we gotta trade people?— Brainiac
- People don't be silly. The deal is practically done with Beltre. He is a great fit and a great defensive 3B too.— philaflava
- I'm a lifelong Phillies fan who lives in Southern California and therefore get to watch Chone Figgins a lot. Assuming Amaro can pry him away from the Angels, he would be a nice addition to the Phils lineup...and he plays a solid D. He'd be another switch hitter with 40+ SB potential.....and he's a 300 hitting lead off guy. Obviuesly Tootsie Roll would have to bless as he'd likely move to #5 behind Howard, but THAT move could return him to his MVP numbers.— dri_as_a_bone
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