Who's on third? Polanco for now
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Who's on third? Polanco for now
Ryan Lawrence
That's the question Charlie Manuel had to answer before the Phillies begin a 10-game homestand against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night. About four hours before game time, he came up with that answer: Placido Polanco.
Polanco, an All-Star and Gold Glove winner in 2011, was activated from the disabled list this afternoon. Polanco has been sidelined with lower back inflammation since July 23.
Meanwhile veteran utility man Kevin Frandsen had started 20 straight games at third base in Polanco's absence prior to Monday. All the 30-year-old Frandsen has done over that time is hit safely in 16 of 20 starts; he's batting .329 overall.
Polanco, who turns 37 in two months and becomes a free agent in three months, is hitting a career-low .255.
So, who's on third?
When asked about Polanco's ability to play everyday last week, Manuel was noncommittal and sounded very aware of the infielder's oft-injured status.
“I probably won’t be able to put him out there everyday,” Manuel said.
Polanco, on the other hand, said he was healthy enough to return to regular, everyday duty before beginning a three-game rehab assignment at Class A Clearwater over the weekend.
“I expect to be the everyday third baseman, but what I expect and what is going to happen could be two different things,” Polanco said five days ago in Miami. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I just want to be healthy for whatever. If [Manuel] plays me he plays me. If not, I don’t know.”
While Manuel usually defers to his veterans, the guess here is the two split time over the next few weeks. But if Frandsen continues to swing a hot bat - and handles himself fine defensively - he could continue to get a longer look as someone who could fit into the Phillies plans in 2013, too.
If they are counting on either palonco or Frandsen in 2013, then they're in trouble before the season even starts. We need 2 starting outfielders, a major league caliber third baseman, and an eighth inning guy by next year. Get busy, Rube.— blaqjaq- Frandsen at 3rd, Cody Asche by July, bye Polly
Perhaps this winter Joseph or AA pitcher or Pettibone get traded to SD for Chase Headley— WFChamps - Great, reward the guy who has done nothing and who hopefully has no future with the team except as a defensive replacement. Chawlie and his blind loyalty need to go.— wo_fat
- Polly is in denial. While he can still field with the best of them at 3rd, his bat and his baserunning are severe liabilities. He'd be the perfect 8th and 9th inning defensive replacement guy, but he thinks he's above that. Frandsen has done great. If they don't seriously consider him for next year, they should have their heads examined, like Lonewolf......— Mark1npt
- For all of you morons ready to bash Polanco right away, one; he needs to play to see if he can get us something in trade before the end of the year. and 2; if he doesn't go, he and Fransden need to battle it out to figure out who should be the utility guy next year if Polanco will resign cheap. Remember, both can play 2nd and 3rd, and I'd bet ss, in a pinch. Who would you like your backup to be next year, one of these two, or Martinez? Think past your first knee jerk reaction for a change.— cuyatm
- This third base issue is almost annoyingly complex. Frandsen, if he keeps playing so well, could be a reasonable option for next year. There are almost no worthwhile free agents at the position and the Phillies probably don't want to commit to anybody long term because they have two or three guys in the minors showing promise and anywhere from a year to three years away. So they have to find a short-term answer who is not overly costly, but also a clear upgrade. Because the issue is so complex, taking a flier on Frandsen for next year could be worth the risk because there are so few good options available.— OutofTownPhillyFan
- options at 3B are really, really limited. I was hoping Amaro could get some "OK" prospects from trades this season and then turn around and flip them and some MLB ready players like Bastardo, Dom Brown and Vance Worley for Evan Longoria. Even 9 million/year (Longoria) seems to be too much for the Tampa Bay Rays. Maybe Phils can work something out and bring Longoria here to hit third and play 3B.— michael2_19030
- There is no way Frandsen can start for us next year. He's a 30-year-old journeyman whose best year -- five years ago -- resulted in a .269 batting average with 5 HR and 31 RBI. Last year he hit .250 with 0 HR and 14 RBI in 200 plate appearances. He's on a nice run but his career makes Polanco look like Mike Schmidt.— eman
- Time for the Phillies to face reality; Polanco, Utley, Howard, and Rollins are going downhill faster than a downhill racer in the Winter Olympics; look at their averages: .255, .247, .246, 239. Let Frandsen play second base where he is more comfortable; he hits to all fields, consistently makes contact, can bunt, is hitting .329. Bring up Asche to play some third base, and bring up Ruf to play some first base. The veteran core needs to be moved if possible and new blood brought in; that includes giving Manuel a golden parachute and signing Sandberg to a three-year deal with the right to name his own coaching staff. Bring up Cloyd, Pettibone, de Fratus, Aumont, and Diekman and use these guys and continue to use Rosenberg, Schwimmer, and Horst to see who can make this staff next season. Let Kratz catch as well and give Dom Brown a full season in left. Phils need answers as to what they have in the minors.— chuckw
- All the comments have validity, however, the only stat I care about is that with Polanco, the Phillies are winning at .630 clip. Without him, they are winning at a .470 clip. Defense makes sense.— drhoffman
- drhoffman: while I agree on the importance of defense, Frandsen is not a bad fielder, although he should be at short. Bottom line right now: Phillies are going nowhere and need to learn about their younger players (yes, even 30 is young on this team). BTW: are you sure the Phillies are playing this season at a .630 clip with Polanco? — chuckw
- Sorry, I meant Frandsen should be at second!! I am having trouble with the love still focused on Chase Utley who is a shell of what he was two years ago. Everyone rips Howard and Rollins, but Utley gets a pass; with his knee issues, he is NOT going to get any better. — chuckw
- Frandsen may never have done well in the majors before and yes he is 30....so what? I he keeps doing what he has been doing in Polly's absence it would be crazy to take him out of the lineup. Think about Coste and Kratz, it takes some guys longer to get it than others. He may revert to whatever his norm was, what I am saying is let him play until he does, and hope this is the new norm.— Paul SoTX
- 3rd base equals...POWER HITTER. Phils need to find a big bopper to complement Howard AND at least one power hitting outfielders. We have all seen where small ball gets this team in this stadium...MARK IT DOWN— Trot
- Who gives a rodents rectum?— gentian
