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Monday, November 09, 2009

Philly.com: Phillies decline option on Feliz

Sorry, Napoleon Lajoie Dynamite, but the two-tme NL champions don’t vote for Pedro:

“This doesn’t preclude us from bringing Pedro back next season,” Amaro said in the statement. “While this allows us to explore other opportunities, we will continue to keep the lines of communication open with Pedro and his representative.”

The fact that the Phillies made Feliz a free agent means their personnel department has identified potential candidates who would either provide a substantial upgrade (the Angels’ Chone Figgins, the Mariners’ Adrian Beltre both possess better offensive numbers over the last 3 years and are regarded as solid defenders) or, at the very least, provide better cost efficiency than the money they would pay their incumbent (the Orioles’ Melvin Mora, and the Cardinals’ Mark DeRosa and Troy Glaus and the Tigers’ Placido Polanco are among the veterans who could be available).

AndrewJ Posted: November 09, 2009 at 12:30 AM | 25 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. Mike Emeigh

Posted: November 09, 2009 at 01:06 AM (#3382522)

Pretty risky decision. Feliz's option was reasonable, and I don't know if any of the guys mentioned in the article is likely to return anything like the value it's going to take to sign them.

-- MWE

2. Tripon Posted: November 09, 2009 at 01:09 AM (#3382526)

Joe Crede?

3. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar Posted: November 09, 2009 at 01:10 AM (#3382527)

Adrian Beltre might be a decent choice to play in a stadium that doesn't suppress right-handed power hitters. Melvin Mora might be a decent choice if Amaro needs tips on how to change two diapers at once.

4. Mike Emeigh

Posted: November 09, 2009 at 01:21 AM (#3382533)

Adrian Beltre might be a decent choice to play in a stadium that doesn't suppress right-handed power hitters.

He's about the only guy in that list who I think would provide the value-per-dollar that Feliz would have, and he's likely to be the #1 target for everyone looking for a 3B.

I think the only way this move works for the Phillies is if either (a) they do land Beltre or (b) they manage to re-sign Feliz for less (which apparently is an option on the table).

-- MWE

5. Bad Doctor Posted: November 09, 2009 at 01:34 AM (#3382541)

I'd love for them to turn their postseason revenue into Beltre and go all in for 2010. Make the most of the remaining prime of their star players.

From what I've heard from the beat reporters after the Series, they want to bring DeRosa back the site of his previous glory ... quarterbacking the Penn Quakers.

6. Tripon Posted: November 09, 2009 at 01:37 AM (#3382547)

They could also trade for a 3rd baseman. Rolen?

Edit: For some reason, ESPN still thinks that J.A. Happ is good enough to be the centerpiece for a Roy Halladay trade. If he wasn't good enough in July, what makes him good enough now?

7. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: November 09, 2009 at 01:44 AM (#3382553)

I could maybe see Polanco working out, depending on how much he's looking for.

8. jscmeagol Posted: November 09, 2009 at 01:44 AM (#3382554)

What kind of deal is Figgins looking to get? It seems that he would be a big offensive upgrade and allow them to get Rollins out of the leadoff spot. Having Figgins OBP in front of Utley and Howard could help to mitigate some offensive regressions.

How good is he defensively?

9. Tripon Posted: November 09, 2009 at 01:45 AM (#3382556)

I keep on hearing 5 years/$50 million for Figgins. Its clear that he teams are going to try to spend on him, especially as he's only a type-B FA.

10. AndrewJ Posted: November 09, 2009 at 01:47 AM (#3382558)

They could also trade for a 3rd baseman. Rolen?

I'd give anything to hear how the Phils' faithful would welcome Rolen back on Opening Day 2010...

11. Crispix Attacks Posted: November 09, 2009 at 01:54 AM (#3382561)

The Phillies did what I urged them to do, and it brought them two pennants in two years.

Am still trying to figure out which player will be the key to their next two pennants. Jarrod Washburn?

12. faketeams Posted: November 09, 2009 at 02:20 AM (#3382572)

Am I missing something? Feliz had a year at $5.5MM. The free agent 3B will want more per year for more years. Does PHI mgt believe last year's free agent bloodbath will repeat itself or is it more likely the team is going cheap at the hot corner?

13. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: November 09, 2009 at 02:50 AM (#3382589)

"I keep on hearing 5 years/$50 million for Figgins. Its clear that he teams are going to try to spend on him, especially as he's only a type-B FA."

Figgins is going to be easy to overpay, since teams can pencil him in at so many different positions. It greatly increases the number of potential bidders.

14. Tricky Dick Posted: November 09, 2009 at 03:27 AM (#3382605)

Am I missing something? Feliz had a year at $5.5MM.

I know that Feliz provides nice defense at 3d base, but he seems to be declining from his peak defensive years. And $5.5 million seems high for a .696 OPS. The Phillies' move seems like it could be justified.

15. ColonelTom Posted: November 09, 2009 at 03:29 AM (#3382607)

I'd give anything to hear how the Phils' faithful would welcome Rolen back on Opening Day 2010...

This Phils fan (who still wears his Rolen #17 jersey to Phillies games) would welcome Rolen back with open arms. All he did "wrong" was refuse to sign a nine-figure extension with the team in part because Dallas Green, then senior adviser to GM Ed Wade, went on Philly talk radio and said:

"Scotty is satisfied with being a so-so player and he's not a great player. In his mind, he probably thinks he's doing OK, but the fans in Philadelphia know otherwise."

and

"Scotty is a complex guy. He makes himself look silly at times with some of the stuff he says. I think he can be greater, but his personality won't let him."

Manager Larry Bowa was making similar comments about Rolen in the press. Why the hell would the guy want to stay in that kind of work environment? Personally, I respect the hell out of the guy for walking away from a $140M extension under those circumstances.

16. will Posted: November 09, 2009 at 02:53 PM (#3382839)

"From what I've heard from the beat reporters after the Series, they want to bring DeRosa back the site of his previous glory ... quarterbacking the Penn Quakers."

The team's President is on Penn's Board of Trustees. The COO went to Penn. The teams' ownership group has ties to Penn. It may not be a logical reason to go after DeRosa, but people are not always logical about matters involving their alma mater.

On a related note, the GM went to Stanford, which is the only explanation for Eric Bruntlett ( Stanford grad) being on the team- and the World Series roster.

17. Sean Forman Posted: November 09, 2009 at 04:19 PM (#3382950)

18. Harris Posted: November 09, 2009 at 04:23 PM (#3382955)

Unless they are committed to signing Figgins, cuttng Feliz was a mistake. The list of 3rd base FA's is pretty slim, and few are better then Happy Pete as a total package.

19. El Hijo del Ron Santo (Alan Keiper) Posted: November 09, 2009 at 04:32 PM (#3382968)

I know we're better at evaluating defense, but how badly could cutting a player with a career sub .300 OBP possibly burn your team? Feliz contributed to the club but he turns 35 next year, his power has slipped and he's had back injuries in the past.

I like the idea of signing Beltre. He's not terribly old, his defense is outstanding, and he will likely hit far better in Philadelphia. Looking at his splits, his career OPS is almost 100 points higher in road games.

20. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: November 09, 2009 at 04:32 PM (#3382972)

The Phillies are ROLLING in money right now. I think they finally figured out that they can and should be the Boston Red Sox south. They have a big market all to themselves, a park people love to go to, a pathetic set of NL competitors, and 4-5 studs in the primes of their careers. They'll sign either Beltre or Figgins. Additionally, their broadcast contract is the only thing keeping about 500k people from leaving Comcast for Fios or DirectTV. I fully expect them to sign 2-3 relievers and a good third baseman.

This makes a lot of sense to me. Even in a down year, Beltre was worth a lot more than Feliz, and he's, what, 5 years younger? If they can get Beltre for $5-7 million more per year (I'm assuming Beltre will get 3-4 years at $10-12 million per) they absolutely should do it. If Beltre bounces back they have a well-above average 3b signed to a reasonable deal, and the downside is still an improvement over Feliz -- an improvement won't come close to crippling the team.

21. Mike Emeigh

Posted: November 09, 2009 at 04:41 PM (#3382980)

The list of 3rd base FA's is pretty slim, and few are better then Happy Pete as a total package.

Which was my point. The Phillies are going to have competition for Figgins and Beltre, who are the only two remotely worth considering (and personally I wouldn't touch Figgins for what he's going to get). If they are outbid on those two guys, they could be stuck.

-- MWE

22. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: November 09, 2009 at 05:18 PM (#3383043)

Even if stuck, I think they'll be okay. Short term, they can get by with a plan C (Juan Uribe? Miguel Tejada?) should they not land Beltre or sign Feliz for less + they have the assets to acquire a better option in the 2nd half/postseason if need be.

I think they finally figured out that they can and should be the Boston Red Sox south.
Took them long enough. Dang it.

23. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: November 09, 2009 at 05:46 PM (#3383082)

The Phillies are going to have competition for Figgins and Beltre

Given the current economic climate and the fact that neither is a can't-miss, elite talent, are there really going to be many teams willing to offer Beltre or Figgins $10M+ over multiple years?

24. Bad Doctor Posted: November 09, 2009 at 11:04 PM (#3383534)

If Beltre bounces back they have a well-above average 3b signed to a reasonable deal, and the downside is still an improvement over Feliz -- an improvement won't come close to crippling the team.

If Beltre just bounces back from his injuries, he would be a terrific fit. And if they sign him, I'm going to try my hardest not to have images of Uncle Cholley helping him rediscover his 2004 form ... but I make no promises.

In addition to the resources Sean mentioned, they also have a damn good hitting coach and a damn good pitching coach, so they might as well try to make some hay on that front too.

25. MM1f Posted: November 09, 2009 at 11:37 PM (#3383557)

On a related note, the GM went to Stanford, which is the only explanation for Eric Bruntlett ( Stanford grad) being on the team- and the World Series roster.

And he can play every position defensively. Considering he wouldn't be allowed to a touch a bat in a meaningful situation I like having a guy like that at the end of my bench in the postseason

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Philly.com: Phillies decline option on Feliz

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