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For Phillies, no saving Madson

DALLAS - Although we know better than to expect Ruben Amaro Jr. to sit on his hands, it really does look like the Phillies will enter baseball's annual winter meetings as one of the few teams that has already executed the majority of its offseason agenda. But things could get interesting for a soon-to-be ex-Phillie.

As baseball's Winter Meetings get under way, Ryan Madson's future with the Phillies is unknown. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)
As baseball's Winter Meetings get under way, Ryan Madson's future with the Phillies is unknown. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)Read more

DALLAS - Although we know better than to expect Ruben Amaro Jr. to sit on his hands, it really does look like the Phillies will enter baseball's annual winter meetings as one of the few teams that has already executed the majority of its offseason agenda. But things could get interesting for a soon-to-be ex-Phillie.

When the Phillies chose to sign closer Jonathan Papelbon instead of retaining homegrown star Ryan Madson, they effectively sentenced their former closer to a state of extended limbo. While several teams figure to be interested in signing the righthander, his eventual landing place could well depend on the decisions of the elite players ahead of him who remain on the market.

We still have little idea where superstar first basemen Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols will land. The Nationals are believed to be interested in Fielder, who, like Madson, is a client of super-agent Scott Boras. Washington also could be in the market for a closer, but logic dictates that its spending capabilities depend on whether it is able to lock up a player like Fielder.

The Red Sox are another team that could be looking for a closer, but starting pitching appears to be their top priority. They also have to make a decision on free-agent designated hitter David Ortiz.

Before former Mets shortstop Jose Reyes agreed with the Miami Marlins on a reported 6-year, $111 million deal yesterday, the Phillies' 4-year, $50 million pact with Papelbon was the biggest of the offseason. No other free agent had an agreement worth more than the 3-year, $27 million deal between Miami and former Padres closer Heath Bell. The rest of the signings are a potpourri of middle-of-the-pack veterans such as reliever Joe Nathan (2 years, $14.5 million with the Rangers); second baseman Aaron Hill (2 years, $11 million with the Diamondbacks); shortstop Clint Barmes (2 years, $10.5 million with the Pirates); starter Chris Capuano (2 years, $10 million with the Dodgers); outfielder David DeJesus (2 years, $10 million with the Cubs); starter Bruce Chen (2 years, $9 million with the Royals); second baseman Mark Ellis (2 years, $8.75 million with the Dodgers); infielder Jamey Carroll (2 years, $6.5 million with the Twins) and outfielder Grady Sizemore (1 years, $5 million plus incentives with the Indians).

The Phillies' top priority remains shortstop, where they are expected to meet with the agent for Jimmy Rollins this week. Arbitration-eligible stars Hunter Pence and Cole Hamels remain on the agenda.

The meetings will conclude with the annual Rule 5 draft, which has seen the Phillies select current roster members Michael Martinez and David Herndon over the last 2 years.

There could be some surprises; the winter meetings were the place where Cliff Lee's future came into focus a year ago. But odds are, the Phillies will be sitting back and watching as the market's elite players make their decisions. And at some point, they will end up bidding adieu to Madson.