Amaro: Phillies probably done making moves
The reality increases daily of a Phillies outfield hodgepodge formed by Ben Revere, Domonic Brown, John Mayberry Jr., Darin Ruf and Laynce Nix. The man tasked with forming the 2013 roster was willing to admit as much Monday.
Amaro: Phillies probably done making moves
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
The reality increases daily of a Phillies outfield hodgepodge formed by Ben Revere, Domonic Brown, John Mayberry Jr., Darin Ruf and Laynce Nix. The man tasked with forming the 2013 roster was willing to admit as much Monday.
"We're likely going with what we've got," Ruben Amaro Jr. said.
Spring training begins Feb. 12 in Clearwater, Fla., and the Phillies will arrive with hopes pinned to an aging, expensive core. Youth is the choice in the outfield, for better or worse.
"There's some risk in going with a possible double platoon or letting the guys we have battle it out for playing time," Amaro said. "There are some advantages to that, as well. The best-man-wins type of scenario can be created and likely will be created in spring training. At the same time, a lot of these guys are not proven everyday major-league players. But that doesn't mean they cannot become them."
The GM did not eliminate the possibility of a veteran addition for the outfield, but admitted within his current constraints (both monetary and player-wise), there is not much more than a marginal upgrade available. He categorized his current pursuit as "looking around for some low-risk, high-reward type of players."
There is money to spend, if the Phillies maintain a similar payroll to 2012. The Phillies are an estimated $7 million shy of the $178 million luxury tax threshold. Amaro said he has "a little bit" to spend. He would not say if he has extended any formal offers to current free agents.
The Phillies have 39 players on their 40-man roster.
What Amaro and his lieutenants may have decided is those resources are best utilized later. The reported options in free agency and trades -- Scott Hairston, Vernon Wells, Alfonso Soriano -- are flawed. There could be a better fit come July. Should the Phillies enter 2013 with wiggle room, they could be well-positioned for the splash everyone expected this winter.
"If there is a player that is better who we feel could help us now, we'll utilize our resources to get him," Amaro said. "If there isn't, then we may be better served to hold on a see what we could do during the year."
Chances are the Phillies start 2013 with an unproven outfield. If anything, it should make for a fascinating spring training.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
- how bouts you get a life and stop stalking everyone's comments. in what world are you considered an expert at anything ?
— 420Phillie - How bouts you get some baseball knowledge and report back to us. Start with Ben Revere's "playoff hitting." You state that he will help the Phils in that category, right? How many career playoff hits does he have? What's his career playoff batting average? Playoff slugging percentage? In what world do morons like you comment on "nice moves" by Amaro? You must be getting paid - and I hope it's not much ... — Copper34
- We'd all better hope Ruf is the real deal. Because if he is, the Phillies will have two-thirds of an outfield, with Revere in center. Brown, Mayberry, Nix? All part-time players at best.— Dave Clemens
- I think the Phillies are being practical and accepting reality. The reality is they aren't very good, and they don't have the means of getting to a competitive point. Their farm system is in shambles because they traded away young talent for big names who could no longer perform. And they have some killer contracts. The reality is they can do nothing until they finish Howard's contract. They they can re-build. That's only 10 years to get to the top - if they make the right moves.— 4thand10
- Not a surprise....his task was to save money....he already destroyed the club with no bullpen and a lousey outfield.....and he improved neither....Reuben must go....getting beat by the Nationals is an embarrasment.....thank you Reuben....no just leave quietly...— nuggett
- I'm okay starting off with what we have. If they can't stay close enough to be making moves in July then no move now is going to help. The way I looked at the FA outfield market, anyone other than Hamilton probably wasn't going to result in more than 3-4 more wins before the break.
A few other things: Ruiz may not hit like last year but let's not forget his hitting has gotten better over the last few years -- not just last year. He's also been a strong second half hitter. Since 2010 he's hit over .300 with decent power numbers in every second half. So he may drop off but I doubt he's going to disappear. Plus he gets that 25 game "rest" to save him for when we need him (joking). Ruf is a guy who could really make a difference -- or not. If we sign another outfielder he could end up in AAA since he's the only outfielder other than Revere with options. Either that or Galvis goes down unless an OF starts the season on the DL. So the current plan will get Ruf time early which (my opinion) is better than waiting to see if he can carry what he showed last year into 2013.
I would still consider another bullpen arm. That's one way to compensate for questionable outfield offense and you wouldn't have to break the bank.— s - The moves Rube will be making in July will resemble the last couple: he will trade guys making some $$$ for "useless garbage" (like Nate Shierholz and Lindblom) and 2nd-tier prospects (like Tommy Joseph). The big-money guys (Howard, Utley, Rollins, Pap, Halladay) will stay put because no team will want them because they are over-paid, injured, or both. The decision at this year's deadline will be about whether they can trade Hamels and still get season-ticketholders to shell out $$$ for 2014 tickets. — Copper34
- Schierholtz was non-tendered and is with the Cubs. Lindblom was traded for Young.
One of Joseph or Valle will almost surely be traded, and they should be. They both can't be the next starting catcher. Utley's contract is over after 2013. If he's playing well and the Phillies are out of it in July expect them to try and move Chase to try and get something for him. Same with Halladay. Problem is, if both guys are playing well the Phillies are the type of team to extend them. I wouldn't. I'd go into 2014 with those two off the books and those two spots freed up for change. But if both are playing that well that's a good problem to have.— s - Certainly not an offseason to get excited about. If the pitching holds up they should win half their games, perhaps a few more.— dblankj
- Why trade for guys who are unproven or stink when you've already got guys who are unproven or who stink?
All right, never mind!— dasher - If they are done... then they really ARE done as far a winning the division!— Bermar
- Going with the current squad is preferable to spending too much on players who will not only displace real talent but also be very expensive. I would rather have an outfield of Ruf, Revere and Mayberry/Brown than Ruf, Revere and most of the high-priced and under-achieving players who fortunately signed elsewhere. If Mayberry and Brown play to potential, the Phils could have one of the best outfields in baseball, both offensively and defensively. Having said this, I must add that any time Amaro publicly announces the Phils are probably done shopping or are definitely out on a certain player, that's when a surprise deal is usually in the works. The Phils stil have the ability to add a lot of power to the outfield very inexpensively by acquiring either Dayon Viciedo from the White Sox or Alfonso Soriano from the Cubs. They also have the ability to engage in a multi team trade that would bring either Stanton or Cespedes to Philly. So, beware of the idle Amaro claim that the Phils have stopped shopping. I'd like to see the Phils acquire any of these guys to add power to the outfield, but I would rather see Mayberry and Brown platooning in right field than one of the many overpaid underachievers who the Phils could have acquired.— onthebucks
- RAJ has blown his wad. Its time for a new stiff.
RAJ gets lots of praise for depleting the farm system for a group of aging pitchers who are on the downside of their careers. It was a short term gamble that failed, IN PART because of the injuries to Howard and Utley. The decision to let Werth go to Washington seemed the fiscally smart move, AT FIRST. In retrospect, it was a poor one. Now the Phillies have an aging team, past its prime, and little chance for improvement. Pretty soon RAJ will be able to implement the same strategy as Washington, i.e. stay in the cellar a several years and select good top draft picks. Meanwhile, though say bye bye to sell out crowds and the playoff revenues.— BLUEBELLION - that's right, they're "done" -- so long as an imbecile remains as their g.m., you can stick a fork in them and in their non-existent future— warbiscuit
- RAJ should've picked up Scaturo and Cabrera. They would've solved his needs and would not have broken the bank.— BLUEBELLION
