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Source: Nix agrees to deal with Phillies

DALLAS - As the baseball world flocked to Texas for this week's winter meetings, the Phillies may have decided how to fill left field in 2012.

Outfielder Laynce Nix hit 16 home runs against righthanded pitchers in 2011. (Lenny Ignelzi/AP file photo)
Outfielder Laynce Nix hit 16 home runs against righthanded pitchers in 2011. (Lenny Ignelzi/AP file photo)Read more

DALLAS - As the baseball world flocked to Texas for this week's winter meetings, the Phillies may have decided how to fill left field in 2012.

They agreed to terms Sunday with outfielder Laynce Nix, a source told The Inquirer. The team declined comment because the agreement was not yet finalized and is pending a physical.

Nix is a lefthanded bat with power against righthanded pitching. The Phillies already have John Mayberry Jr., a righthanded bat who mashed lefthanded pitching in 2011. Hence, a platoon in left could be the plan.

Nix, 31, has never signed a major-league deal. Terms were not immediately available, but CSNPhilly.com reported Nix would sign a two-year contract.

If anything, Nix provides more power and flexibility to Charlie Manuel's offense. Nix played in a career-high 124 games with the Washington Nationals in 2011 and posted a .750 on-base-plus-slugging percentage with 16 home runs. All of his homers were hit against righties, and he played sparingly against lefties. Advanced defensive metrics rate him as an above-average outfielder. He also has played some center field and first base.

For much of the second half of 2011, Manuel instituted a platoon in left field without ever labeling it as such. Combine Raul Ibanez's numbers against righties and Mayberry's against lefties and the two hit .267 with a .788 OPS and 24 home runs in 557 plate appearances.

By comparison, Nix and Mayberry combine for a .275 batting average, .823 OPS, and 24 homers in 440 plate appearances over last season. Nix was limited to only 85 trips to the plate after Aug. 1 because of nagging injuries to his Achilles tendon and groin.

Phillies officials were pleased with the combined output in left field. If Nix and Mayberry post comparable seasons to 2011, the Phils could receive similar production for a fraction of the total cost. (Ibanez made $11.5 million in 2011; Nix earned $700,000 and will likely receive a raise in 2012.)

Ruben Amaro Jr. has stated that Mayberry earned a chance for regular playing time. But Mayberry has never been an everyday player in the majors, and his mediocre production against righties always has been an impediment to more at-bats.

The Phillies could still add a bullpen arm this winter, but beyond that, the only looming roster question is shortstop. Talks with Jimmy Rollins' representatives will pick up during the meetings, but the two sides remain at odds over the length of a potential contract.