Phillies' bench hunt focused on defense
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Phillies' bench hunt focused on defense
Andy Martino
While the Phillies’ primary pursuit is the search for a third baseman, yesterday’s removal of Eric Bruntlett from the roster offered a reminder that the front office is also working to retool the bench. Here is a window into their thinking:
--Matt Stairs, who wants to return for one more season with the Phils before retiring, is welcome at spring training on a minor league deal. But the team is looking for a different type of player to fill his roster spot. Stairs is a power/on-base guy who can barely play the outfield and certainly cannot handle the infield at this stage of his career.
“Ideally, you would like to have as many defensive options as you can with guys,” Amaro said today. “Versatility plays. Matt Stairs was a specialty guy.”
--The Phils most pressing bench need is to find a super utility-type, a player who Charlie Manuel can trust to fill in for Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins. Those talented middle infielders have arrived at baseball middle age, and need more rest than Manuel has provided.
So here is what Amaro needs to find: A guy who can play shortstop, and is willing to accept a bench role, and can handle the bat well convince Manuel to use him.
One problem. That guy probably does not exist.
“If the ideal guy was there, he would be playing every day in the major leagues,” Amaro said. “The likelihood is not great that we’re going to find a guy who can hit enough and field enough. You’re going to have to make a sacrifice.”
So where will Amaro make that sacrifice? On offense, apparently. He is seeking someone who can play the difficult position of shortstop, and has played that position regularly. By cutting ties with Bruntlett, the Phils sacrificed their only player who could sub for Rollins if the shortstop were injured for a significant period of time.
“Shortstop is a specialized position, almost like catcher,” Amaro said. “You would err on getting defense over offense.”
That would seem to eliminate the following names from the super-utility hunt, among others who haven’t played much shortstop lately, if ever: Jamey Carroll and Ronnie Belliard.
In light of Amaro’s comments, Juan Uribe and John McDonald become intriguing options, as does Bobby Crosby. Cairo also fits the description, but it is difficult to imagine Manuel penciling in Cairo over Rollins very often.
Ben Francisco is returning, meaning that the other bench search is for a backup catcher. The Phils value defense at that position—they replaced Chris Coste with Paul Bako this year because the organization considered that a significant defensive upgrade—and would ideally like to find a younger option than the 37-year-old Bako.
But the Phils pitchers loved working with Bako last season, which is why I wouldn’t be totally shocked to see the team begin 2010 with him as Carlos Ruiz’s backup. If the team cannot find an affordable upgrade, they could do worse than Bako. He is certainly not their Plan A, but he remains in the mix.
***
It is clear that Amaro wants to improve the late inning relief corps by adding a free agent or two. Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney would be perfect fits, because they have been closers and setup men—and it wouldn’t be the worst idea to have an insurance policy in case Brad Lidge’s 2010 performance resembles his 2009.
Without mentioning names, Amaro made it clear that he did not want to rely on the farm system to restock his bullpen for next season.
“I’m trying to get someone who would be a little bit better than our possible candidates,” the GM said.
Scott Eyre was an important part of the late-inning mix last season, and he wants to either retire or return to the Phils for one more year. He had minor elbow surgery after the World Series, and we knew that the team was waiting on that to decide whether they were interested in retaining the lefty. Yesterday, Amaro added money as a factor.
“We think the surgery went well,” Amaro said. “We’re deciding whether the cost of bringing him back will be prohibitive. He may have priced himself out of our range.”
Comments (57)
What happened to DeRosa??? He'd fill the bill for utility. As far as pictching goes this should be Drabek's year. That's why you let Brett Myers go. Cairo?? Why would you even bring him back. Bobby Crosby's young at least and maybe he's related to the Pens Crosby and he can play for the Flyers.— Phillyexp- If DeRosa comes, it will be as a starting 3B, not as a back-up. He's going to go somewhere that he can get a lot of ABs. So you'd still need a back-up infielder even if you sign DeRosa. The problem with any back-up player's hitting is how many ABs they will get. Pinch-hitting is very difficult and there have been few players over the years who could consistently hit for a high batting average as a PH. Usually, pinch-hitters will have good years and bad years. If we bring over a guy and never play him, then he's not going to produce when he's getting only very sporadic ABs. Dobbs and Stairs hit a lot better when they were getting more regular ABs. Eyre is retiring if he doesn't play for the Phils so I'm not sure how we could have priced himself out of the Phillies range. They are not in competition with any other teams for his services.— JimG
- How 'bout Amezega from the Marlins? It would require a trade but that guy hits very well, is fast, although minimal power, plays great infield and outfield defense.— Jay25
- Craig Counsel makes sense as a super utility guy.— severthetoe
- Would Pedro Feliz fill that utility role? Would he stick around for 3.5 to 4 mil? And would Ruben Jr consider that too much to pay for that role? I'm not one of those necessarily favoring a more traditional third baseman with power, like a DeRosa. Phils already have power guys who can hit it out, hit doubles, sac flies, also fly outs and strike out. Chone Figgins however represents a unique opportunity to improve 3rd base play AND OBP at the top of the lineup. JRo and Vic can be platooned to hit 2nd, 6th, or 7th. Rumor has it Angels can afford one but not both Lackey and Figgins. They really got to keep Lackey--because he's more capable of keeping them from getting back to WS or ALCS if he's a Red Sox, or Yankee, or Mariner than Figgins would be. Figgins for Phils wouldn't be just another addition--he'd be an 'impact-addition.' Ruben, David, ownership et al: Sign Figgins! If Feliz will stick around and fill the utility role for 3.5 mil, resign him also.
Comment removed.- They want someone who can play SS for the utility role--which Feliz can't. He's a 3B and that's about it.— bobbyuk
- Ryan the "Swish" Howard is good trade bait. Who wants a home run hitter that strikes out too much. As a first bagger, he stinks.— FJG JR
- Why must the Phillies always stock the bullpen with re-treads? I mean, Durbin, Eyre, Condrey, Romero have been good and they're still as good of most of whatever is out there. But where's the next Madson? Why not try Bastardo, Mathieson if he's healthy, maybe even Drabek? Other teams always seem able to bring some young fireballer out of the pen but the Phillies never seem to have a guy like that. Why not?— wooderice
- I think the Phillies will go after Jerry Hairston Jr. He made 2M last year..... can play 2nd, 3rd, SS and the outfield. If Polanco is looking to win a ring and will accept a pitch hitting/ fill in roll, I could see the Phillies getting him in addition to Hairston (or someone else) If Polanco is set on being an everyday guy, he won't be back in a Phillies uniform. I wouldnt also mind the Phillies kicking Jason Kendall's tires to see if he like a shot at a ring. Give him 1.5M max.— joeolive
- Let all the bullpen go but lidge and madsen, cut pedro and the wife beater..jamie too....sorry......get Halladay....(do whatever it takes...prospects etc....) .....and a right handed bat and a utility infielder....pitching wins.....— nuggett
- Figgins. There is no substitute.
- All you would be GM's seem angry today. Amaro will do the right thing, after all he is guided by Pat G.— wiseoldowl
- Yo FJG JR. What home run hitter doesn't strike out a lot? And maybe you were too but trolling other boards to see that Ryan's defense was markedly improved this season to where he was far from a liability. At least have some idea what you're talking about before you try to trash a guy.— JLH
- In lieu of Figgins if he's not feasable, how about a combination of DeRosa and Hairston? I think that would solve a lot of our problems. Two solid ballplayers who both play multiple positions. And not break the bank.— JLH
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