Amaro: There was no Plan A
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ruben Amaro Jr. was rather upbeat Monday less than an hour after another outfield target, Angel Pagan, was scooped off the market.
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.
Never thought Pagan would leave SF...they could have offered him $20 he would have stayed......Upton was NEVER in the Phils plans in spite of Brookover acting as a shill for them....Span was NEVER a consideration either.....it's probably always been Vic, Bourn or Hamilton. You can bet Dickie Noles the father of abuse in the organization has already had a face to face with Josh....but will he leave Texas? He's very comfortable there.....unless CLee can pull him here and convince Smuggles that he's a force worth every penny. Bourn? He may be left at the altar looking for a team, just like madson last year. I think MLB GMs have had enough of him and his stupid negotiating tactics/prices.— Mark1npt- "him" meaning Boras. Bourn's agent and his crazy tactics— Mark1npt
- Sure. Sign a guy to a huge contract whose best years are behind him. We've already been there, done that with Howard. Why make the same mistake? Sign Cody Ross and Marco Scutaro and this team will be back in the postseason, guaranteed.— Sam Crow
- I'd take a shot at Hamilton. Doesn't make sense to spend free agent level money on anyone else.— jtj06
- It is real hard to take your old gal back after she has tested the market.— Dr. D.
- after pagan signed i thought that the phils might be players for hamilton.....— malco49
- If it is true that Pagan is getting $40M for four years, then even Victorino may be too expensive to sign.
A centerfielder I really like. Cameron Maybin. Signed a 5 yr $25M contract earlier in the year. Would like to see the Phillies get him in a trade.
I would take this guy for the next 5 years over Hamilton, Upton , Bourn , Victorino or Pagan.
Has tremendous speed, outstanding fielder and decent power. He has not hit for average yet.(.248 this year ). Looks a lot like a younger Pagan but with higher potential in all phases of his game.— candidly - trade for Ellsbury from Red Sox; stay far, far away from Hamilton— DONDEN31
- I agree that shane is a much better value than Michael Bourn, and that he should have a better year next year. I'd love to see them get Hamilton for 3, maybe 4 years, but not longer. That being said, I think they really should give mayberry brown and ruf good opportunities.— doc35
- May be soon time to bring back Pat Gillick. Rube (former bat boy) is operating this team like the fantasy league geek he is. He appears to be in over his head.— mortt1956
- WOW! That warbiscuit dude should just slit his wrists. I am guessing in 08 he was just stomping around pissed off that it wasn't a sweep, the lights were too bright, and there were too many happy children. Gotdammit I hate smiles!!!!— bigbobt34
- Another Phillies PR account on Philly.com? Eventually - the fans will realize that the future doesn't look so good and that the GM is to blame. warbiscuit just says it (well - types it) out loud. 2008 was great. Then Rube-the-Boob took over. They have not addressed leadership voids (since Burrell and Werth left), have made terrible personnel decisions (bidding against themselves to over-pay for J-Stroll and Pap ... Wigginton, Quals, Nix, Thome, Michael Martinez ... the Oswalt and Pence trades. Who else could you blame but the GM when you have so many "un-trade-able" players? Rube-the-Boob has driven my beloved Phillies into the ground. — Copper34
- Sign Hamilton. Any contract with him will have an out clause for drugs & alcohol. Sign him now!— phillycaster
- Anybody who knows baseball knows that in order for the Phils to get back into the Fray they need to sign JOSH! Ruben make it so!!!— larryv
- at this point, it would just be nice to see Smug Ruben do SOMETHING! Seriously, did his pathetic offseason of a year ago leave him gun-shy? Are there no more guys like Wigginton, Willis, Qualls, Thome or Nix out there this year? Or did he learn his lesson finally about bringing in junk?— advantasux
