Budget conscious Phils are bargain-hunting
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Budget conscious Phils are bargain-hunting
In addressing the media today at Citizens Bank Park following the Brian Schneider signing, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. made clear that he is rummaging through the bargain bin to upgrade his team.
The Phils are actively looking for inexpensive additions to the pitching staff, both for the bullpen and back end of the starting rotation. “We could try to shoot for a low-risk/high reward type of guy,” Amaro said.
One such player is veteran free agent John Smoltz, who could start or relieve. “I guess he would fit the bill,” Amaro said of Smoltz. “We have talked to a number of agents about a bunch of different guys. We don’t talk about specific guys unless we’re signing them, but he would fit the bill, certainly.”
Amaro said he had made “significant contact” with the agents for a number of pitchers who “might not be the sexy names that people are talking about.”
The Phils’ bullpen moves will also be determined by whether they decide to retain Scott Eyre and Chan Ho Park. Amaro said this afternoon that the team was unlikely to offer either player arbitration before tonight's 11:59pm deadline, but could still resign Eyre and/or Park.
The GM reiterated that he expected the front end of the 2010 rotation to be Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ. Kyle Kendrick and Jamie Moyer are the current candidates to become the fifth starter. But Moyer, who is home from the hospital after minor surgery last week, will undergo an arthroscopic knee procedure in January that could delay that start of his spring training.
“We would like to add some more depth if we could, but pitchers aren’t falling off trees, and I don’t have an unlimited budget,” Amaro said.
The Phils also need to sign a third baseman, and can intensify their pursuit after tonight's deadline for teams to offer salary arbitration to their free agents. Various reports indicated that Detroit did not offer Placido Polanco arbitration, and Houston did the same with Miguel Tejada. Because of that, the Phils could sign either without sacrificing a top draft pick.
“It obviously has an impact, because our goal is to try to develop young players,” Amaro said. “And losing draft picks doesn't help..I'm optimistic that we can get something done. How quickly kind of depends on the pace of the agent."
Comments (57)
Like it or not, I really think that the Phils are going to make a push for Polanco. He's a pure hitter, NEVER strikes out, is familiar with this franchise, wouldn't mind batting 7th, and plays gold glove caliber defense (at second and third). He is also a little older and cheaper than Beltre and Figgins. And now that he wasn't offered arbitration, they won't have to cough up a pick. It's a no-brainer in a cost-cutting economy. Figgins would be nice if they were printing monopoly money at the C-Bank, but Amaro apparently has a budget to stick to. Besides, this team's future in 2010 depends on two people: Hamels and Lidge. If they return to form, nobody will stop them. If they don't, it could be another tough playoff ending. Either way, this team is built to win and this off season is the least significant in terms of the team's future that I can ever remember.— bobo_29
bobo_29...good analysis of the third base situation. I think Polanco, a real gamer and a particularly smart baseball player, is the best overall choice as long as he's willing to primarily be the 3rd baseman. As to Lidge, don't really have confidence in him, and anyone getting on via walk, HBP or single off Lidge mean's he's on 2nd in no time. Is Smoltz a possible closer's insurance policy? Maybe. Although he hates CBP.- I wouldn't count on Moyer for next season... he struggled this year, and coming of two major surgeries doesn't bold well for him. I hope the team gives Drabek some serious consideration for the 5th spot- he surely has the stuff to pitch at this level, and could learn an awful lot from a guy like Cliff Lee!— dankil13
- Polanco would be an OBP upgrade and a SLG downgrade compared to Feliz; fairly comparable RISP splits over the last 3 years for those who are interested. Definitely not a leadoff replacement, but could move to number 2 behind Victorino, who would represent a marginal improvement over Rollins. They really need a .380+ OBP guy in the leadoff spot; speed is secondary - especially if you can't get on base to use it. Per ESPN.com, out of 154 qualified MLB hitters, the Phils had #140 (Feliz) and #150 (Rollins) in OBP (Polanco was #113).— philly_in_DC
- I don't have a problem with Polanco, assuming he's not a Type A. I wouldn't sacrifice the picks for him. Smoltz is garbage at this point. I agree about Moyer. Another pitcher would be great.— DennyP
- This is garbage. The Phillies have a virtual strangle-hold on the National League and now they are going to be cheap? I don't mind going cheap on backups but they should be throwing bags of money at Figgins. They should also add DeRosa along with Figgins. Spend some more money on a bullpen guy that can close if/when Lidge implodes. The Phillies have the money. They should take a cue from the Yankees and spend some more money.— bjlindy
- You can't add guys who don't want to come here, ala Randy Wolf, DeRosa, or Smoltz......anywho, it's obvious they'd take tejada in a heartbeat to play 3rd if Houston non-tenders him. We need a few .300 hitters in this lineup, asap. Mashing for the HR all the ime and striking out half the time doesn't usually win you the big one....take this year for instance......— Mark1npt
- You can't add guys who don't want to come here, ala Randy Wolf, DeRosa, or Smoltz......anywho, it's obvious they'd take tejada in a heartbeat to play 3rd if Houston non-tenders him. We need a few .300 hitters in this lineup, asap. Mashing for the HR all the ime and striking out half the time doesn't usually win you the big one....take this year for instance......— Mark1npt
- spend some of that money— Gmilst1
- I can't see John Smoltz wanting to come to Philly, as he has repeatedly ripped the ballpark.— JSaq
- The Phillies definitely have the money and there's no excuse not to spend it.— Not Rich Vos
- You increased my season ticket cost so now go spend the money!!!!!
- The Philies need Smoltz like they need H1N1. Unlike old antiques which become more valuable with age, old pitchers lose their value. Pass Reuben, please !— phineas
- I really like the Schneider signing. I agree they desperately need a .300 hitter, and Tejada would be a great add - never gets hurt, relatively great K ratio. If not him then Polanco.— Brian F.
- Rube is bluffing! This means we are getting Roy Halliday! (/sarcasm)— fafafooey
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