Amaro: There was no Plan A
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Amaro: There was no Plan A
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ruben Amaro Jr. was rather upbeat Monday less than an hour after another outfield target, Angel Pagan, was scooped off the market.
"We move on," Amaro said.
The Phillies GM said he still prefers to sign a centerfielder rather than trade for one. The pool has shrunk to Michael Bourn and Shane Victorino. Dexter Fowler is a trade candidate, and as FOXSports.com reported, the Rockies are looking for young pitching. That is a strength of the organization.
But Amaro was not overly concerned about failing to sign Pagan or B.J. Upton.
"We didn’t really have a Plan A," Amaro said. "We had like 10 Plan B’s because, to be frank with you, I just didn’t think that the marketplace was all that strong in the beginning. There was not a comparable to [Jonathan] Papelbon out there. There really wasn’t. There were some good players out there, and there still are some good players out there, but I don’t know there’s a difference maker. Maybe one."
Amaro smirked. He was talking about Josh Hamilton, the former MVP slugger, without mentioning him by name.
Are the Phillies in on said "difference maker?"
"Come on," Amaro said. "Next question."
The exchange was telling.
When asked if he had met with Hamilton, who is believed to be in the Nashville area this week, Amaro said, "No. But I wouldn’t tell you if I did." When asked if he had met with Hamilton's agent, Michael Moye, Amaro said, "No. But I wouldn’t tell you if I did."
Hamilton is believed to be seeking at least a five-year deal. His former team, the Texas Rangers, expect a final shot at Hamilton even if he goes shopping elsewhere.
The 31-year-old outfielder carries great risk, of course. His history of drug and alcohol abuse is long documented. ESPN.com reported the Phillies are "wary" of said problems.
But chatter at these winter meetings has pegged the Phillies as possible suitors because of Amaro's willingness (and necessity) to make a splash. Moye, about as private as player agents come, would make for a perfect quiet negotiating partner.
An idea that was ridiculous a month ago is less as such while other options sign elsewhere.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Adam Eaton is a CFer who led the PCL in hitting and stole a boatload of bases.He has the makings of an excellent leadoff type for years to come and plays for the D-Backs. Go get him Rubin!— fafink- Why would Arizona trade a young player that they have under cheap control for the next six seasons? — Jeff Dowder
- clulesss imbecile points to worst signing of last year -- Papelbum --still makes excuses for worst extension in major league history --Howard --empty suit with absolutely zero ability to evaulate players or team needs— warbiscuit
- Beat it dopey — DogBiscuitthedope
- Wow - the Phillies PR office actually created an account with Philly.com to smear war biscuit? That's sad. If dope is a regular person (who just so blindly loves the Phillies), that is even sadder!! Unfortunately for the fans, warbiscuit is right. The GM, if not an imbecile, indeed has no ability to evaluate talent. — Copper34
- sign him— OldCoach
- cluless imbecile methods are to overpay in money and prospects by 200% to 500% of actual value for any "name" acquired or re-signed, and to then acquire only useless trash in any disposition of a so-called "name"...in absence of clear-cut 'superstars' whom one can overpay, teams must have the ability to spot hidden gems or undervalued finds, something that Cluless Rube ranks no. 30 on among any 30 g.m.s— warbiscuit
- Beat it moron — DogBiscuitthedope
- Are you referring to the Phils signing Lee for less than other teams offered him? Or would it be extending Halladay for less than market value? Or was it giving up too much in a trade for a Cy Young winner (Drabek looks really great now, huh). Maybe it was letting Werth walk when Washington overpaid for him? What makes sports fun to watch is the unknown. How many fans wanted to see Pujols in a Philles uniform last offseason? Glad that Ruben is smarter than these fans! Everyone wanted to see Raul Ibanez on another team, but then when he plays well for the Yankees, Phillies fans whine and complain. Amaro has tried to keep the Phillies a winner - by obtaining the best players available. This is indisputable and what everyone wanted for years and years. It's sad to hear the same fans cry about how the Phillies are "cheap" and "don't care about winning" and then say that they "overpay" for the best players available. Maybe you should stop watching sports because you are truly ignorant. — hoyaray
- Plan A- Get rid of the Cluelss Imbecile Rube --should have preceded Andy Reid out of this city— warbiscuit
- Beat it idiot — DogBiscuitthedope
- clueless imbeciles (SIC) sit on their a** and do nothing.— Reprehensible
- Hamilton would a disaster over 7 years. Three years? Possibly.— Konstanty
- The ship has been sinking for some time and the PR has taken over.......bringing back Vic, would be the admonition that we're finished....— Northcountry
