With the Phillies already getting rid of third baseman Pedro Feliz they may wanna look into getting a strong third baseman for the up-coming 2010 season ahead. They have four options. Option 1 would be Chone Figgins from the Los Angeles Angels, who in 2009 had a batting AVG of .298, 72 RBI's, 5 HR, and 42 stolen bases. Option 2 would be getting back former Phillie Placido Polanco from the Detroit Tigers who in 2009 batted .285, 72 RBI's, and hit 10 HR. Option 3 would be Mark DeRosa from the St. Louis Cardinals who in 2009 had a batting AVG of .250, 78 RBI's and hit 23 HR. Option 4 would be Hank Blalock from the Taxes Rangers who in 2009 hit .234, 66 RBI's and 25 HR. I think the Phillies best bet would be Chone Figgins only because you need a strong number 7th batter in the line-up and we already have enough power hitters. Also Figgins has speed, so he could cause some drama when he gets on base. He also has a nice glove at third and knows what it takes to win being with the defending AL West Division Champs Los Angeles Angels.
We go to the Phillies bench players, the Phlis will probably get rid of Miguel Cairo, Matt Stairs, Greg Dobbs, and Eric Bruntlett. There's also four options with the bench players. Option 1 would be Scott Podsednik from the Chicago White Soxs who is an outfielder. In 2009 he had a batting AVG of .304, 48 RBI's, 7 HR and 30 stolen bases. Option 2 could be Nick Johnson from the Florida Marlins who is a first baseman. In 2009 he batted .291, 62 RBI's and hit 8 HR. Option 3 is Orlando Hudson from the Los Angeles Dodgers who can play any infield spot. In 2009 he hit .283, 62 RBI's, and 9 HR. Last option would be Mike Cameron from the Milwaukee Brewers who is an outfielder or can play first base as well. In 2009 his batting AVG was .250, 70 RBI's, and 24 HR. I think Hudson and Cameron would be the best for the bench only because Hudson can play third if the Phillies don't sign a good third baseman and he can play anywhere in the infield. Cameron I like him cause he's young and he has speed. Also he's got that power off the bench and can play first base if you give Howard a day off.
We now go the Phillies bull pen who this year wasn't that good. Between Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson the pen had almost 20 blown saves and may want to look for a new closer or set-up man. With Brad Lidge, Scott Eyre who is a free agent, J.C. Romero all going under surgery this offseason. If Lidge isn't ready for the 2010 season they made need a closer for the first few months. Option 1 is - Mike Gonzalez from the Atlanta Braves who in 2009 had an ERA of 2.42, 5 wins, 4 losses, 10 saves, 74.1 innings pitched and 90 strikeouts. Option 2 is Rafael Betancourt from the Colorado Rockies who in 2009 had an ERA of 2.73, 4 wins, 3 losses, 2 saves, 56.0 innings pitched and 61 strikeouts. The final option which i think the Phillies should jump on is Rafael Soriano from the Atlanta Braves because in 2009 his ERA was 2.97, 1 win, 6 losses, (27 saves), 75.2 innings pitched, and 102 strikeouts.
Now our final step is the starting pitching for the Phillies. We saw in 2009 Cole Hamels just didn't have it this season and what he said during the World Series marks some questions if he still wants to play here? Also by now having Cliff Lee as your ace you wanna find that second man to give you that ONE - TWO punch. Joe Blanton who was the Phillies most consisted pitcher did great in 2009 and could be our number 3 or 4 pitcher. Than there's J.A. Happ who proved himself to be the Phillies number 5 guy with 12 wins as a rookie. As for Pedro Martinez I don't think he will be here next year. As much as Martinez likes it here the Phillies are looking for a guy who can fill the number 2 or 3 hole in the pitching rotation and can go deep into games. As of right now the rotation looks like this, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ. So the Phillies options are, number 1 - Rich Harden from the Chicago Cubs who is a injury risk but is very good. In 2009 his ERA was 4.09, 9 wins, 9 losses, 141.0 innings pitched, and 171 strikeouts. Option 2 is - John Lackey from the Los Angeles Angels who in 2009 got the Angles to the postseason with an ERA of 3.83, 11 wins, 8 losses, 176.1 innings pitched, and 139 strikeouts. But I see him going to the Yankees only because Andy Pettitte is a free agent and they will probably wanna fill that left handed roll in the rotation. Also Lackey isn't gonna come cheap with a $10,000,000 salary in 2009. Option 3 is former Phillie that everyone loves in Philly is Randy Wolf from the Los Angeles Dodgers who we saw in the 2009 NLCS pitched very well. In 2009 his ERA was 3.23, 11 wins, 7 losses, 214.1 innings pitched, and had 160 strikeouts. In LA he pitched the ace roll and looked really good and I can see him coming back here and being our 2 or 3 started. Last Option is Erik Bedard from the Seattle Mariners who is another injury risk but knows what it takes to become a big time pitcher. In 2009 his ERA was 2.82, 5 wins, 3 losses 83.0 innings pitched and had 90 strikeouts.
So if the Phillies are going to look into any players that they need in the offseason those are the best on the list. I mean there's no gratis in this game. But these players know what it takes to win and if the Phillies wanna go back to the World Series for the third straight year and get that crown back to where it belongs they may have to make some moves and fast.
No comments:
Post a Comment