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.
Get Victorino.....he was a BIG part of the Phillies championship years....last season he had an off year which all ballplayers occationally have....Victorino still has great speed and surprising home run power...and he is a spark plug for the whole team...oh yeah, Victorino is a big favorite of most of the Phillies fans.— jim35- i really don't get all the negativity over a possible re-signing of vic. he's not far below all the high priced guys in stats, and because he had a crummy year in '12, most likely he could be had for a decent deal in both dollars and years. okay, he's a bit of a screwball. yeah, so? did he ever dog it like our esteemed first baseman and shortstop? hey, we need a CF, right? he's available and cheap, right? what's the problem?— bubba church & granny hamner
- I think Victorino would be fine as long as they a power threat at 3rd or in rightfield. Oh and lets not forget getting some bullpen help. — paulNC
- If Amaro is a imbecile, what was Wade a brain surgeon ?— youwish
- We need Hamilton. This needs to be done. If not, Bourn but I would prefer Hamilton. Get Dickie Noles to talk to him and to see where his heads at. Hamilton, a Frandsen/Galvis platoon at third and go heavy after Mike Adams and the young bucks in the bp and we're right back in it. A combo of Ruf, Brown and Mayberry around Hamilton and we're set. Bring in Spring Training!!— athousandgods
- Alright go get Hamilton (5 yrs, 100 mil) and bring Vic back (3yrs 20 mil). Cut Mayberry and platoon Ruf if need be with Brown, but give all the playing time initially to Ruf, if he fails somewhat, then platoon with Brown.— HappyHarry
- Is Manuel coming back next year? or is the press gonna fire him too?— EagleEye61
- Next time tell us what other teams are interested in Hamilton so I have an idea if the Phillies have a chance and whether I want them to have a chance because I'm not sold on him yet.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- Amaro's options are dwindling but he still has two:
1. Sign Victorino to two years and trade for Alfonso Soriano, who would hit third or fifth and has two years left on his contract, which meshes well with our core. The rebuilding Cubs want to unload Soriano, who hit 32 HR and 108 RBI last year. They would pay a portion of his $20 million and won't expect much in return. He's a good fit in our lineup -- right-handed with power -- and Victorino can still play + defensive CF.
2. Sign Hamilton. You put him in this lineup and it transforms everything. Howard could even bat fifth. Hamilton plays CF for 1 year and moves to left or right. We add a quality reliever, maybe a reserve infielder or Youkilis on a one-year deal, and call it a day. The issue is that Texas expects, and apparently will get, the last shot at Hamilton. That's a problem, especially if we wait until after Bourn and Victorino sign elsewhere.— eman - beat it dope— so-called dogbiscuitthedope is a dope
- If Hamilton likes pereformance enhacing drugs he'll be coming to the Mecca.— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- Sign the drug addict— Jay Grace 69
- What a loser you are to make these posts every day. They're not funny. They're just stupid. — Larry Brown
- For all of those crying sign hamilton..are you the same ones who were happy with the Howard..Utley and Rollins signings??...This is an extremely high risk signing ..Extremely high risk....You give this guy 5 yrs and 100mill and he implodes you are screwed like the Flyers with BRYZ...— flyers1000
- I wasn't to happy with Rollins but had no problem with Utley and maybe just a little bit of regret over Howard. But who saw those injuries coming, I didn't and if they were healthy they would both still be perennial all-stars. As far as Hamilton goes, the guy when healthy both physically and mentally is a top 5 player in all of baseball. Stick him in a lineup of JR, Vic, Utley, Hamilton, Howard, Ruf, Kratz/Ruiz, Fransden and that is formidable and a step above the Nats and Braves. If the pitchers come back to form this team wins the division going away and who knows from there. — HappyHarry
