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Phillies Free Agent Notes

By Steve Adams [November 15, 2009 at 2:48pm CST]

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki runs down the Phillies offseason, looking at how the club is planning to improve coming off back-to-back World Series appearances. Here's some highlights:

The Phillies are looking to upgrade at third base, as we've heard before. Chone Figgins figures to be too expensive for their liking, and they'll look for a shorter, more affordable contract. Zolecki names the same possibilities we heard earlier in the week: Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa, and Placido Polanco.
Philadelphia has interest in Fernando Rodney, but it may not be mutual, as Rodney likely would prefer a team with whom he can close. As Zolecki writes, that is "not an option" in Philly.
The Phillies have seven impending free agents: Paul Bako, Miguel Cairo, Scott Eyre, Pedro Feliz, Pedro Martinez, Chan Ho Park, Matt Stairs, and Jack Taschner. Zolecki says Park and Eyre are the two most likely to return, with Ruben Amaro Jr. already having contacted Park's agent.
Bako's return hasn't been ruled out, but Amaro has said that he's seeking a backup catcher. Feliz is in a similar situation, with his return not being ruled out but the team looking to upgrade.
If Stairs returns, it will be on a minor league contract. Taschner and Martinez are not expected to return.
The futures for Eric Bruntlett, Clay Condrey, and Tyler Walker are in question.

Comments

And the question about Bruntlett is? Simply this:

Does he want to be told he's been let go in the form of email, text, phone call, carrier bird, mail, or word of mouth?

Seriously, how have the Phils not gotten rid of his ass by now already?

Posted by: BaseballFan0707 | November 15, 2009 at 02:56 PM

Let me get this straght. Rodney, a closer in the AL, has no chance of closing for a team whose biggest problem this year was their closer situation?

Posted by: yankfan1 | November 15, 2009 at 02:59 PM

they want him to come off the bench in a clutch, unassisted triple play scenario.

Posted by: jrollpatrol2008 | November 15, 2009 at 03:00 PM

Yankfan,

Lidge is signed through 2011 and is a year from being the best closer in the game. Rodney, as evidenced by the fact that there is very little interest in him as a closer, is not that great. I'd much rather have Lidge closing, who atleast has the potential to be superb, than Rodney, who will always be a marginal closer.

Posted by: skoods | November 15, 2009 at 03:16 PM

they want him to come off the bench in a clutch, unassisted triple play scenario.

Posted by: jrollpatrol2008 | November 15, 2009 at 03:00 PM

That made be LOL

Posted by: bbxxj | November 15, 2009 at 03:21 PM

But not have ANY chance. I understand not wanting to have him as your closer, but Lidge had a 7 era, Madson didnt do well in the 9th either. He should at least be able to attempt it. Judging from last year they should give Rodney a try.

Posted by: yankfan1 | November 15, 2009 at 03:24 PM

Yankfan,

Rodney wants to close, so he wants the team to make that commitment to him prior to signing him. The Phillies have around $26 mill committed to Lidge over the next two years, he's one year removed from a great year, and just this year they made it to the WS in spite of how terrible Lidge was. Simply put, they are going to try him again as the closer so they can't really promise Rodney that role, which again he wants.

Posted by: mford | November 15, 2009 at 03:34 PM

Cripes, Rodney would be a terrible choice as a closer. Lidge will be the Phillies closer unless he's not recovered enough from his surgery, in which case Madson will get the job. And Madson is a far better reliever than Rodney.

Posted by: GrandSlamSingle | November 15, 2009 at 06:24 PM

Bill James 2010 Projections already out..

Lidge: 4-3 / 60 IP/ 51 H / 28 BB / 78 K / 3.87 ERA / 28 SV

I can live with that....

Posted by: FyreKnight | November 15, 2009 at 11:21 PM

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