How should the Phillies fill fifth outfield spot?
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How should the Phillies fill fifth outfield spot?
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
Examining the current configuration of the Phillies' 40-man roster and the list of non-roster invitees, the team's most glaring need with 53 days remaining before the start of spring training is another right-handed outfield bat off the bench.
And even that need is not very glaring because, as my colleague Matt Gelb pointed out in this space earlier this month, the job could disappear as soon as Ryan Howard returns from the disabled list.
That role a year ago belonged to John Mayberry Jr. and Ben Francisco and they did fantastic work.
Mayberry, in fact, was so good that he took on a more prominent role after the All-Star break and earned the right to replace Raul Ibanez as the team's primary left fielder in 2012.
Francisco, after botching his chance to become the everyday right fielder last April, actually did a solid job off the bench in the second half and, of course, won Game 3 of the NLDS by blasting a three-run home run in St. Louis. He is now in Toronto after recently being traded for local minor-league lefty Frank Gailey.
If the Phillies' budget for the fifth outfielder is roughly the $1.5 million that Francisco probably would have earned as an arbitration-eligible player, it will be interesting to see who they can get in that price range.
Jonny Gomes, coming off a dreadful season with Cincinnati and Washington, could probably be had for less than that amount. Scott Hairston, a solid bench player with some power, also would probably be willing to come aboard for an amount slightly north of $1 million.
It would be interesting if the Phillies wanted to significantly upgrade the bench by paying more for an extra outfielder. In order to do that, they would likely have to commit to an 11-man pitching staff rather than the 12 that manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee have typically preferred. Given the ability of the top three men in the rotation to go deep into games, we know that the Phillies are one of the few teams in baseball that can even consider an 11-man staff.
Should they choose to go to 11 and invest more heavily in an extra outfielder who can hit from the right side, some of the options become very interesting. The most intriguing is Cody Ross, the man who destroyed their 2010 dream of reaching a third straight World Series.
Ross, who turned 31 six days ago, has recently been linked to Colorado, but as of right now he is still on the open market. He is not worth the $6.3 million the San Francisco Giants paid him last season, but if he'd be willing to come to Philadelphia for around $3 million, that would be a good investment.
Ryan Ludwick, 33, is also still a free agent. It would be fascinating to see how many home runs he could hit at Citizens Bank Park and since he's coming off consecutive disappointing seasons his price tag should not be too exorbitant.
It's also entirely possible the Phillies spend as little as possible for the fifth outfielder with the intent of saving payroll space for the trade deadline. Injuries, of course, are inevitable and having money to spend at the deadline when needs are more identifiable could be far more valuable than any player they can add before the start of spring training.
Dom Brown has a future. The aforementioned men have a past.— Bobby G- I agree that Brown be given a chance and since he comes cheap - sign Madson.
— fish1463 
A little more concerned about third base then I am outfield. I hope our GM knows for sure that Evan Longoria is untouchable. He would look great in a Phillies uniform. Phils don't have anything Tampa would take.- Who should our 5th outfielder be, a right handed power bat??? Well after Boras gets no $200 million offers for Fielder, we should sign Fielder for one year at $22 million....he can play 1B until Howard gets healthy, and then put Fielder in LF. I know you laugh, but the Fat Boy wouldn't be any worse than Ibby and Pat the Bat out there. Whatever errors he made would be overlooked by his 50 home runs at the CBP next year. Do it Rube!!!!!— Roman529
- The Phils should have done something similar when Ryan Howard was chomping at the bit to get promoted to the majors. They should have played Thome at first base and Howard in the outfield until it was Howard's time to take over first base, or moved Thome back to his original position, third base and played Howard at first. Instead, the Phils traded away Thome for very little and even paid his salary while he was in the American League. Could you picture Thome and Howard back to back in the lineup? Not many Phillies fans would take serious the notion of acquiring Fielder, but the guy is looking for $200 million over 10 years. That's $20 million a year, less than the combined salary the Phils paid Ibanez and Lidge last year, and arguably a lot more for less money. Fielder has better numbers than Howard and is 5 years younger. Signing him to a 10 year contract today would only take him to his 37th birthday, 3 years younger than Jorge Posada and 4 years younger than Jim Thome. Instead of talking about guys like Wright, Hairston and Ross, maybe the Phils should acquire Fielder now and decide which defensive position he and Howard are going to play later. Somehow, Manny Ramirez made a career out of leftfield. Fielder and Howard could probably do at least as well defensively. Thinking of Fielder and Howard in the same lineup brings back visions of Howard and Thome playing together. It's like deja vu all over again. — onthebucks
Comment removed.- Jhonny Gomes? I'm going to have nightmares. Please talk to some people in Cincinnati about the Jhonny Gomes experience of recent years. Also, why a right-handed hitter? Mayberry and Pence are right-handed, and Victorino hits better from the right side. (Yes, Nix is a lefty.) Thome is balanced by Wigginton. Many more pitchers are right-handed than left. Finally, the Phillies desperately need more base-stealing threats, both on the field and off the bench.— JayW
- Brandon Moss is not in the mix....he was signed by Oakland.— NewMick314
- At the end of the day, Martinez will be the guy. I would much rather see them invest a little more in their minor league system. Pay more signing bonuses to attract better quality, find better quality with a more robust advance scouting system. Valuable prospects aren't merely just born out of the draft.— beegal99
- I agree with Dull and Bears. We need more defense and speed off the bench. And that guy is Michael Martinez, who can also be used to bunt the runners over. Mayberry, Nix and Wigginton can share playing time in LF and 1B with Thome getting a start a week at 1B, until Howard comes back, which at that time there is a decision to be made: who stays, Martinez or Valdez? It will depend on two things, performance, obviously, and the fact that Martinez has options left. I like Martinez better because he's younger, faster and is a better option in the OF.— EL Zorro
- They will just leave Michael Martinez in there as the 5th guy until Howard is back.— Northeaster
- Why would Madson sign for one year. With pitchers there is allways chance of arm injury. Ryan would then kiss millions away. Madson may go for 3 year contract with player option to opt out after 2nd year. Im a big Madson supporter even when he ran into some troubles as closer. Madson has plus-plus talent and I felt it would emerge just as I feel Brown's talent will rise if his confidence is not too far down. The problem with Madson is he probably views himself as a closer due to last years success.— Don w
- Madson may not find any teams interested in 3 years at this point. Most of the teams in need of closers have made their moves. With his market drying up, Madson's best option may be to take a one year deal somewhere then try again next year. Boras may have screwed Madson's chance of getting a decent payday this year.
He still may sign a multi-year deal. The Angels and Reds have been blogged as two teams that might consider signing him to a multi-year deal. If he can be had for a year I would definitely consider it it I were RAJ.
— s - Stan - is that how far you have sunk - to wonder where warbiscuit is? Who cares? I actually have managed to skip whatever he puts out here. Who needs that stuff? I much prefer to be optimistic. HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you guys!— dwp66
