Phils exploring alternatives to Feliz; Lidge's elbow examined
The Phillies are actively exploring options at third base other than Pedro Feliz, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said today. The team has until Monday to exercise a $5.5 million dollar contract option on Feliz for the 2010 season. “More than anything else, we want to see what options may be out there for us and decide whether picking his option up is best suited for this club to try to move forward,” Amaro said. “He had a solid year for us. I like the man personally. He’s a great person and a great teammate, but I also believe in trying to improve and sometimes change can be for the better. It doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to, but it’s just something that we’re thinking about.” Feliz, 34, is a top defensive player, but subpar offensively. In 2009, he batted .266, with a.308 on-base percentage and .386 slugging percentage. Amaro could pursue a trade to upgrade the position. The general manager meetings begin on Monday in Chicago, so Amaro will gather with executives from other team’s before he needs to make a decision on Feliz’s option. The GM could also replace Feliz with a free agent—though teams have a 15-day window to negotiate exclusively with free agents. Of the potential third basemen on the market, three stick out as potential fits for the Phils: Seattle’s Adrian Beltre, Anaheim’s Chone Figgins, St. Louis’ Mark DeRosa. Because the Angels figure to aggressively pursue Figgins, and DeRosa is also 34 years old, Beltre, 30, stands out. A strong defender with a power bat, Beltre is coming off a five-year, $64 million contract. Injuries limited Beltre in 2009 to 111 games and eight home runs—but that performance might have made him affordable to the Phils. Amaro was vague yesterday when discussing payroll flexibility, but the team is unlikely to add significant money to a payroll that exceeded $130 million last season. *** Closer Brad Lidge is scheduled to have his right elbow examined today, said Amaro. Lidge might have “loose bodies” in the elbow, the same issue that sidelined lefthander Scott Eyre in September.
Phils exploring alternatives to Feliz; Lidge's elbow examined
Andy Martino
The Phillies are actively exploring options at third base other than Pedro Feliz, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said today.
The team has until Monday to exercise a $5.5 million dollar contract option on Feliz for the 2010 season.
“More than anything else, we want to see what options may be out there for us and decide whether picking his option up is best suited for this club to try to move forward,” Amaro said. “He had a solid year for us. I like the man personally. He’s a great person and a great teammate, but I also believe in trying to improve and sometimes change can be for the better. It doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to, but it’s just something that we’re thinking about.”
Feliz, 34, is a top defensive player, but subpar offensively. In 2009, he batted .266, with a.308 on-base percentage and .386 slugging percentage.
Amaro could pursue a trade to upgrade the position. The general manager meetings begin on Monday in Chicago, so Amaro will gather with executives from other team’s before he needs to make a decision on Feliz’s option.
The GM could also replace Feliz with a free agent—though teams have a 15-day window to negotiate exclusively with free agents. Of the potential third basemen on the market, three stick out as potential fits for the Phils: Seattle’s Adrian Beltre, Anaheim’s Chone Figgins, St. Louis’ Mark DeRosa.
Because the Angels figure to aggressively pursue Figgins, and DeRosa is also 34 years old, Beltre, 30, stands out. A strong defender with a power bat, Beltre is coming off a five-year, $64 million contract. Injuries limited Beltre in 2009 to 111 games and eight home runs—but that performance might have made him affordable to the Phils. Amaro was vague yesterday when discussing payroll flexibility, but the team is unlikely to add significant money to a payroll that exceeded $130 million last season.
***
Closer Brad Lidge is scheduled to have his right elbow examined today, said Amaro. Lidge might have “loose bodies” in the elbow, the same issue that sidelined lefthander Scott Eyre in September.
Pretty good fielder! I appreciate his winning hit in last years WS, but he was an automatic out in the 09 WS. Upgrade!— Air Force One- Why wouldn't the Phillies move Rollins from leadoff? He's probably the worst leadoff hitter in baseball. He doesn't work the pitcher, draw walks, and has no concept of the strikezone. He had a horrific .300 OBP. The Phillies need someone in the leadoff slot to get on base, not swing for the fences every time up. The past World Series would have been more competitive if Rollins and Victorino were getting on base - most of the Phillies HRs were solo shots. Figgins had an OBP of .400. I love Rollins, but he should be batting seventh.— Jeff Dowder
- Just a reminder for those who are saying he isn't clutch: it was Feliz who drove in Bruntlett with the World Series winning RBI in the three inning game in 2008. People seem to forget that.— Tom Magee
Comment removed.- Get DeRosa and pick up Feliz's option. You can platoon them 3B while getting DeRosa more playing time as a sub for Rollins, Utley, Ibanez. Most importantly, DeRosa replaces Bruntlett.— UncleEddie
- So a guy who has 12 hr's and 82 rbi's is suddenly expendable? He increased his rbi totals from 58 to 82 in one year-Sign him to a one year deal, because he has the least amount of question marks from the only other viable option on that list, Beltre.— camtheman
- bird11 is a fraud -— box of frozen dried out cheese
- Pedro is a dud offensively. Provides no spark & rarely comes thru - look at his numbers. Next year he'll be David Bell revisited. Phils need to upgrade the position.Third base is a power hitter position - it is time for the Phils/Feliz to move on.— Temple Fan
Did I honestly hear someone suggest Scott Rolen? I'd rather have anybody besides him. He is a cancer, morose, and seems to me to be a spoiled brat. Add to that ongoing back problems that are only going to get worse, and also when was the last time he actually had a year without being on the disabled list at one time or another. He is a good fielder with diminishing skills and not a good hitter. His numbers at the end of the year are always misleading because he seems to get most of his rbi's and homeruns in September off some double A pitcher. I would not mind keeping Pedro. I think he is a great third baseman.- there's this dude over in detroit named - see if i get it straight - placido domingo? no, that's not it. um, polly polanco? er, no, no. anyway, he's really a second baseman, so we wouldn't be interested anyhow, right?— kiwi
- So who exactly on the FA third base list is an upgrade over 12 hr's and 82 rbi's, temple...hmmm? And spark? What about Pedro's game tying homer in game 4?— camtheman
- 82 RBI from your seventh-place hitter is nothing to sneeze at offensively.— andrewfrombrooklyn
- Atkins isn't a starter anymore. Beltre is the guy to get. RH Flyball hitters get eaten up by Safeco, his offensive numbers will spike in CBP and hes arguably the best defensive 3b in baseball. This team needs to add wins wherever it can. Pedro Feliz 4.5mill option is good value in an of itself, but you can do better.— Either/Or
- A name to watch is Alex Gordon from KC. A once highly touted prospect who has been roughed up in the majors a little bit. The Phillies have the pieces to go get him if they have some belief in his ability. And if you are willing to take one of KC's bad contracts(Juan Cruz or Kyle Farnsworth) you could probably give them less than the value of just Gordon.— Either/Or
- Comment removed.
