Victorino backs off demand
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The way Shane Victorino sees it, why shouldn't he want to shoot for the stars with his next contract?
Victorino backs off demand
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The way Shane Victorino sees it, why shouldn't he want to shoot for the stars with his next contract?
A day after telling two reporters he was seeking a five-year deal, Victorino wanted to clarify his demands: Most paramount is a desire to remain in Philadelphia.
"I'd like to," the 31-year-old centerfielder said. "I'm not saying this will be my last one. It might be. Who knows? What I'm saying is, why not finish it here? I made it seem like I want a five-year deal, but I'd love to stay."
Of course, Victorino has said that all along. And while there is a certain amount of public posturing required for contract negotiations — see Jimmy Rollins' five-year proclamation last October — there is little doubt he would relinquish free agency if the right deal came soon.
"Basically, what I want, I'd like to get something done now rather than later," Victorino said. "That's what the basis of this whole thing is. I want to do something now, to see if we can come to terms on something. I'm not saying I don't want to hit free agency. Free agency is what every athlete dreams of, maximizing their value.
"So why would I want to avoid that chance? Why not maximize what I have now, what's laid out in front of me? An opportunity to play for a winning team that I've been a part of. That's what I'm trying to get at. I'm not saying I'm going to get a five-year deal. I mean, who knows? Who says I can't get a seven-year deal? I don't know."
Victorino would likely be the top centerfielder on the market this winter. B.J. Upton and Michael Bourn are also free agents.
He said his agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, have yet to formally engage in contract negotiations with the Phillies. The Levinsons have a strong relationship with Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., who has signed three of their clients (Raul Ibanez, Placido Polanco and Jonathan Papelbon) since becoming GM in 2009.
"My agent is going to reach out to them," Victorino said. "We'll talk about it openly and see if the two sides can try to figure something out."
Victorino said his agents have suggested Torii Hunter and Aaron Roward as comparables. Each centerfielder received a five-year deal in free agency. Hunter was 32 when he signed a five-year, $90 million contract and Rowand was 30 when he signed a five-year $60 million deal.
But the Phillies have prioritized a Cole Hamels extension this spring. They are well aware of what Victorino seeks even before formal negotiations have begun.
Victorino has sent mixed signals about accepting a discount to remain a Phillie as the budget expands. Five years may be the goal, but the way he talks, it sounds quite flexible.
"My whole thing, more than anything, I would like to get something done now," Victorino said. "I'd like to be a Phillie for the rest of my career. That's happy enough for me."
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5 years?!? No thanks. 3 max. I'd be willing to bet that BJ Upton out-performs Vic over the next 3 years.— willthethrill11- thats the funniest thing ive read in weeks — drdave
- curious as to why that's funny. BJ Upton clearly has superior skills to victorino offensively. i'd give victorino an egde defensively. upton's issue is mental. he is inconsistent. but saying upton will outperform vic this year isn't crazy at all. if upton can put it all together, he has more natural talent than vic. there's no question there.
- Upton may have more offensive talent than Victorino, but why would you rather swap a player who plays hard, loves playing here and wants to continue to play for the organization for a player who rarely seems to give it his all, seems distracted too often and frankly just does not perform? A case could possibly be made for Upton if he were playing for Kansas City (not a good one, and in fact one that makes him look even worse), but Tampa Bay has been one of the best teams in baseball the last few years.
Victorino is definitely not the problem the Phillies faced in the last few years. The problem has been Charlie Manuel and his stubbornness.— Eilex826 - Why is it clear that Upton's skills are superior? In the past three years, Upton has batted .241, .237 and .243. Victorino has batted .292, .259 and .279. Upton's OPS has been .686, .745 and .755. Victorino's has been .803, .756 and .847. Victorino has two Gold Gloves, two All Star appearances and two top-20 finishes in MVP voting. Upton has zero, zero and zero. Upton might have physical gifts, but what reason is there to believe they will suddenly affect his play on the field in his eighth big league season? The man is looking more and more like the next Corey Patterson. — phillyl0
- Wow really? Do some of you even follow baseball? Upton has only batted above .270 twice in his career Victorino has only batted below .279 once in his career and it was only a 36 game season for him. Upton steals a bit more (last year he blew vic away but made 9 more outs doing so), but he has 100 less games in his career than Victorino and has SO 400+ more times. He only makes up with that slightly in walks. Victorino has hit 40 more triples than him. Victorino has better OPS, SLG, and OBP too.
Give me vic any day. Can't believe anyone would take a guy who batted .243 last year over a guy .279. Of course, Upton hasn't batted over .243 since 2008!
As of last year, Victorino was either right behind, or ahead of B.J. in nearly everything.
B.J. is one of those guys that people just think are good because people have heard of Justin.— MFPhils 
Comment removed.- I can't see then keeping him when they have Mayberry, Brown and Jiwan James ready to step up. They have to watch "Where" they spend and reload when they have too. Just like Ruiz in a few years. He's 33 and won't be a Free Agent till he's 35. Why would they try to sign him when the have Seb Valle down on the farm????— DocPhillyfan
- Jiwan James? James played at single A last year. When he was exposed in the Rule 5 draft this winter, no team took a shot at him. He is nowhere near "ready to step up." He's never even had a minor league season as good as the big league seasons Victorino has every year. James might turn out to be a player, but there is nothing in his pedigree to suggest he's the kind of guy you just cast off all-star to make room for.
— phillyl0 - Vic has a lot of good baseball left, 3 years makes sense, maybe with an option on 4th. But gotta get Hamels done first.— Z-Force
- Not much love for Victorino among phils fans, but he is a tremendous center fielder - he's among the best defensive CFs in baseball, he solid offensively with an ability to carry the lineup when he's hot, and most importantly he's clutch. 4 years/$40 million.— CosmoK
- Its not that there is no love for Shaney Vic, its just that having Cole is more important. He is young, has great stuff and pretty much Won the world series for us, not that our offense didn't put up serious numbers, but the Rays had/have a very potent offense and Cole shut them down
- victorino is the heart of the phillies, without him the phillies are a bunch of serious, boring players. what he adds to the team is not on the scorecard and is not a statititic. who else will give shaving cream pies in the face to players being interviewed?— wildgreenman
- Shaving creams are geting old. — ALJ
- Victorino & Ruiz are in there final year as Phillies. They are both good guys & have been good players for this franchise. But when you look at other needs there is no explanation to dump big money on either. If Victorino is will to take a contract similar to Rollins, maybe.— FetchDixon
