Third base position now becomes a top priority
On Sunday night the Phillies announced that they would not be bringing back third baseman Pedro Feliz, declining his club option for 2010 worth $5.5 million. Instead the Phillies will buy out the remaining portion of his contract for $500,000. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. does not rule out the possibility of bringing Feliz back in 2010 as he may be available for a cheaper price on the free agent market.
Feliz was brought to Philadelphia to provide a solid glove at third base, replacing David Bell, but was also thought to bring some offense with him. After four straight seasons of at least 20 home runs Feliz hit just 26 in his two seasons with the Phillies. His strike outs with the Phillies went down compared to his time with the San Francisco Giants, but his impatient swings at first pitches frustrated fans time and time again.
Feliz's defense was a valuable asset, even though his 15 errors in 2009 was his highest total since 2006, so replacing his glove could prove to be difficult. Free agents, or expected free agents, this off-season include Chone Figgins, Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa and former Phillie Placido Polanco. Figgins figures to be the top third baseman available and should be the top name on the Phillies' free agent list. I do not feel Polanco is worth fussing over. He does not like playing third base and there is no way the Phillies would move Jimmy Rollins from shortstop or Chase Utley from second base. Remember, the Phillies almost had to trade Polanco just to give Utley playing time at second as he was coming up.
Original Story:
http://macho-row.blogspot.com/2009/11...
On Sunday night the Phillies announced that they would not be bringing back third baseman Pedro Feliz, declining his club option for 2010 worth $5.5 million. Instead the Phillies will buy out the remaining portion of his contract for $500,000. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. does not rule out the possibility of bringing Feliz back in 2010 as he may be available for a cheaper price on the free agent market.Feliz was brought to Philadelphia to provide a solid glove at third base, replacing David Bell, but was also thought to bring some offense with him. After four straight seasons of at least 20 home runs Feliz hit just 26 in his two seasons with the Phillies. His strike outs with the Phillies went down compared to his time with the San Francisco Giants, but his impatient swings at first pitches frustrated fans time and time again.
Feliz's defense was a valuable asset, even though his 15 errors in 2009 was his highest total since 2006, so replacing his glove could prove to be difficult. Free agents, or expected free agents, this off-season include Chone Figgins, Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa and former Phillie Placido Polanco. Figgins figures to be the top third baseman available and should be the top name on the Phillies' free agent list. I do not feel Polanco is worth fussing over. He does not like playing third base and there is no way the Phillies would move Jimmy Rollins from shortstop or Chase Utley from second base. Remember, the Phillies almost had to trade Polanco just to give Utley playing time at second as he was coming up.
Original Story:
http://macho-row.blogspot.com/2009/11...
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November 08, 2009
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