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.
Comments (45)
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
- 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
- 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
1
Popular Posts
About this blog
The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
Matt Gelb
Inquirer Staff Writer
Bob Brookover
Inquirer Baseball Columnist
Search this blog:
Classifieds:
Site Services:
Partners:
Powered By:
