Phils, Polanco finalize deal
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Phils, Polanco finalize deal
Andy Martino
UPDATE: Polanco has passed the physical, and the Phillies have officially announced the signing. The dollar figures below are accurate.
A baseball source confirmed to the Inquirer this afternoon that Placido Polanco will probably finalize his contract with the Phillies later today. Polanco has agreed to a deal to become the Phils next third baseman, barring an unforeseen hitch in the physical.
Polanco is taking a physical to finalize an agreement that the team’s official website said was worth $18 million over three years, with a mutual option for a fourth year. The physical is an important final step in any deal, but if it goes well, the signing will become official this afternoon, with an announcement to come later today or early tomorrow. Stay tuned...
For an analysis of Polanco versus Pedro Feliz, click here.
Comments (108)
reclinergm has some great analysis about this signing. might make you more optimistic if you don't like this move... http://www.reclinergm.com/what-are-the-phillies-getting-in-polanco/— psalveso- Everybody talks about Utley blocking Polanco when he was here before but the real truth is the Phillies allowed worthless David Bell, because of his contract, to block Polanco at third. The money blinded the Phillies from seeing that Polanco was a rising star that eventually helped the Tigers to get to the World Series. I hope Polance is not over-the-hill now, but he's gotta be a better hitter that Feliz. Good move for the money. Shoulda never let him go.— PhillieJoe
- Yes, definitley a good signing. I liked Feliz's defense, but really what you need a good fielder and a better bat, and Polanco fills that role.— mikemcnhl
- I think I understand where the 44 in Maddy's name comes from.— Joe Funk
- He's not the best choice, but he's a good one.— everydayguy
- If I had my druthers, I'd like Beltre the best with Figgins next, but Polly is an offensive upgrade....hits to contact, doesn't strike out much and is decent on the field...my question is his arm strength...but it's a good sigining.— theragtopguy
- Maddy44 - it is real easy - press submit once. Great move by the Phils. Feliz will be missed in the field, but I will take a few more errors for the improvement in OBP.— ChahlieM
- I might be a bit greedy here, but I really wanted Chone Figgins. Just imagine him and Victorino at the top of the lineup and Rollins batting seven. But I think Figgins wanted a long-term contract, and it might just not be possible to sign him and keep the rest of the guys. Hey Polanco is solid, so I won't complain...any more. www.philsbaseball.com— Ebuttzpsu
maddy44 -- we understand. and i dont get this. we were fine with pedro at 3rd. i hope this works out but i think i would have rather had pedro. we shall see- Steroids.— notojm
- I liked Feliz defense but tdont agree we loose anything defensively with Polanco, Polanco has played 3rd admittedly not as much as 2nd but he has 2 gold gloves there, the question will be does he still have the arm for 3rd. Placido willadd some hitting (303 lifetime BA) speed and do better against lefthanded pitching then Pedro did. Another good move by Amaro.— Don w
- Agree with Manor2009, and I can't believe so many people are beaming about this. Besides for a downgrade defensively, how does this significantly improve the offense? I understand this changes the dynamics of an offense that often stalled with strikeouts and unproductive outs, and Polanco is an upgrade in terms of OBP and making contact. But 82 RBI's is 82 RBI's, and that's no slouch for a #7 hitter who plays the hot corner as well as Pete Happy does. Polanco hasn't played there since 2005, and was not thrilled to be there. While it provides someone that can spell Utley at 2B, does Castro or Dobbs get you excited at 3B on those days? This move doesn't really tip the scales, and seems hard to justify for a 34-year old, especially at 3 yrs/$18 mil with a 4th year option. If you really wanted to change the dynamic, get #11 the hell out of the leadoff spot at long last. I'm willing to give Rube the benefit of the doubt, but I'm scratching my head right now.— EaglesWest
Comment removed.- @manor--polanco is a 2 time gold glover. I have no worries about his Dfense. He is a clutch hitter, and has WS experience. I liked Feliz at third, but this is not too bad. Its a shame they still cant get derosa to back up everyone in the infield when needed.— jphil
Realistic One: They originally got Polanco the first time in the Rolen trade, when he took over 3b for Rolen. He moved back to second when David Bell was signed as a free agent. He ended up traded because Utley was coming up and they were stuck paying Bell big money.
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The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
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