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Phillies Aim To Sign Free Agent Closer

By Tim Dierkes | October 11, 2011 at 12:30pm CDT

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. talked to reporters today at Citizens Bank Park, and David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News has the transcript.  Highlights:

  • If the Phillies don't re-sign closer Ryan Madson, Amaro will go outside the organization for a replacement, he told reporters including MLB.com's Todd Zolecki today.  Madson, a Scott Boras client, could be a tough sign.  Amaro said he talked to Madson yesterday, and the righty is excited about free agency.  The Phillies can at least get a couple of draft picks as a consolation prize.  Heath Bell, Jonathan Papelbon, Jonathan Broxton, Matt Capps, Francisco Cordero, Frank Francisco, Joe Nathan, and Francisco Rodriguez are also on the free agent market.
  • Amaro said he'd like Domonic Brown to spend another full season in Triple-A (Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer with the tweet).  Brown, one of the game's top prospects prior to the season, hit .245/.333/.391 in 210 plate appearances in the Majors this year.  Most of Brown's starts came prior to the team's acquisition of Hunter Pence.  Amaro says Brown has some work to do in left field, a position that will be an "open competition" for the 2012 Phillies.
  • Amaro does not think Ryan Howard's torn Achilles tendon will impact the team's offseason moves.
  • Free agent signings are more likely than trades.
  • The Phillies are still discussing Roy Oswalt's $16MM option internally.  Amaro says that "might be a tough one."  The Phillies' front office has also internally discussed extending Cole Hamels.
  • The Phillies' payroll is expected to be similar to this year's.
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Philadelphia Phillies Cole Hamels Domonic Brown Roy Oswalt Ryan Madson

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53 Comments

  1. Blue387

    14 years ago

    K-Rod in a Phillies uniform would be great, thanks.

    Reply
    • hscphillyboy

      14 years ago

      No ….Gracias……

      Reply
    • Ryan

      14 years ago

      As was Wags in a Met uni.  But hey, at least Wags turned it around.  Too bad he was on the Braves by the time that happened though.

      Reply
  2. Kyle Buttermore

    14 years ago

    Papelbon on a 1 year deal with an option for 2013

    Reply
    • tacko

      14 years ago

      You think Papelbon would settle for that over an arb offer from the Sox after the year he’s had?

      Papelbon is the best reliever in the market. With his track record, he’ll score at least 3 years at $10 million per.

      Reply
      • Kyle Buttermore

        14 years ago

        You didn’t let me finish…….The vesting option is for $43 million.

        Reply
        • 0bsessions

          14 years ago

          Solid setup, brilliant execution.

          Reply
          • Kyle Buttermore

            14 years ago

            danke schoen!

            Reply
  3. mgsports

    14 years ago

    Some one who’s retired.

    Reply
    • Kyle Buttermore

      14 years ago

      Brett Favre

      Reply
    • FreeGamer

      14 years ago

      Shaq O’Neal

      Reply
    • BlueCatuli

      14 years ago

      Mike Madano

      Reply
    • Ryan

      14 years ago

      Eric Lindros?

      Reply
  4. Chris

    14 years ago

    Carlos Marmol for Dominic Brown

    Reply
    • BlueCatuli

      14 years ago

      Maybe after 2010, but certainly not after 20111 and the extension.

      Reply
      • Chris

        14 years ago

        I forgot all about that extension. How awesome would a LF- Brett Jackson, CF- Matt Szczur, RF- Dominic Brown combo be?

        Reply
        • BlueCatuli

          14 years ago

          Projections would tend to say pretty awesome. I don’t know that the Cubs need a Dominic Brown. They aren’t exactly starving for outfielders. They need pitching something fierce.

          Reply
  5. Jakes

    14 years ago

    hanrahan for overbeck, galvis and brown

    Reply
    • Phillies_Aces35

      14 years ago

      No way. They need to get younger not trade their MLB ready players for a closer.

      They have the money to sign one of those guys, no reason to do a trade.

      At this point, I’d hope they’d be smart enough to save their chips for a third baseman. Ruben said in his press conference he doesn’t think Polly is an everyday third baseman at this point. (which is obvious).

      Reply
      • dylanp5030

        14 years ago

        Do you think a Rollins to 3B move could be made after this year, assuming the Phillies sign him. That would put Galvis at SS and also would enable JRoll to play longer.

        Reply
        • Ryan

          14 years ago

          I have thought for years that Rollins might move to 3B as he aged.  Mainly I was concerned about his range, which has not begun to decline yet.  His arm could certainly handle it.

          Reply
        • GREG HERBENER

          14 years ago

          that’s not something I thought of…but I like it…..I’ve seen enough of Polly the last 2 years….they keep signing these third basemen with a little pop and they have all floundered-David Bell, Pedro Felize and now Polanco….what is the deal with that

          Reply
          • Phillies_Aces35

            14 years ago

            I saw Youkilis could become available if the Red Sox decide to go young with Middlebrooks. He’d be a guy I’d gut the farm one last time for.

            I wonder if the Phillies would re-engage the Rangers about Michael Young. He doesn’t have the power but he’s the type of hitter Ruben likes.

            _____________

            As for the floundering third baseman, power at the position wasn’t important when you had a 2nd baseman who would hit .300, hit 30 home runs, and drive in 100. Now that he’s lost his power, its more imperative to get a power third baseman.

            Reply
        • Phillies_Aces35

          14 years ago

          I think he COULD.

          Question is WOULD he? Jimmy’s a great guy but Michael Young he is not.

          Reply
  6. Jeremy Swedroe

    14 years ago

    WE HAVE BASTARDO..and so many young relievers…throw them into the fire.

    Reply
    • William Kafer

      14 years ago

      For a team that’s about to be contending, hell yeah, throw all of them in.

      For a team that’s one of the favorites to win the World Series for the next 2-3 years, you need stability in your BP. I think you’ll see Bastardo, Herndon, and Stutes start the year in the pen, maybe Schwimmer or de Fratus, but they need to sign at least 2-3 veteran guys with experience.

      Reply
  7. FacelessGeneralManager

    14 years ago

    Dom Brown is really really unimpressive for how much he is hyped up. I really don’t see whats so great about him.

    Reply
    • Phillies_Aces35

      14 years ago

      You must have thought the same thing about Chase Utley and Cole Hamels when they first came up to the major leagues? Utley hit .231 and Cole Hamels had an ERA of 5.00+ at the all star break.

      Reply
    • Ryan

      14 years ago

      I’m a Phillies fan, I watch every game, and travel to Allentown to see games all the time.

      I agree with you.

      Reply
  8. Scott

    14 years ago

    pap to phillies! he wont get the four yr deal he’s seaking so he’ll be gettable for philly nation.

    Reply
  9. hscphillyboy

    14 years ago

    Heathcliff Slocoumb……or Heathcliff Huxtable……Which ever is available…….

    Reply
  10. Phillies_Aces35

    14 years ago

    I’d love to see Jonathan Papelbon in a Phillies uniform. Only thing that concerns me is the $$$… but that’s with any free agent Ruben signs. He’s the best option and would make this an even better pitching staff. He can go 4+ outs for a save, he can handle pitching in a media market. He’s more of a lock down, more dominant guy than Madson.

    Out of all those names, there’s nobody I’d really feel comfortable giving a 9th inning lead to besides Madson, Papelbon, and Bell. Bell would be my last target given the drop of his k/9.

    Reply
    • William Kafer

      14 years ago

      That’s about how I feel, though I think I’m okay with Nathan as well.

      And I think Lidge on a 1yr + option deal is the mother of all backup options, which scares me.

      Reply
  11. dc21892

    14 years ago

    A lot of people are just assuming Paps will hit free agency. There’s as good a chance Boston meets with him before free agency begins and gives him his 3-4 year deal at the price he wants. Boston wants him around, and unless Paps is looking for completely outrageous money, he’ll likely be back. Even if he does hit the market, he’s competing with a lot of good closers for a job, so he’ll see his stock fall a bit when his leverage is swept from under him.

    Reply
  12. JPH_GSG

    14 years ago

    RAJ loves to take fliers on relievers coming back from injury. I’m thinking this year it will be Johnathan Broxton.

    Reply
    • Dude Solarsystem

      14 years ago

      LOL!

      Reply
  13. myname_989

    14 years ago

    For as many times as we’ve all heard “the Phillies are maxed out;” “the Phillies won’t pay luxury tax;” etc, etc, I think we’ve all learned by now that they’re going to have money to throw around.

    What concerns me the most about Ruben Amaro is his uncanny ability to give free agents more guaranteed years than I thought was possible for a man with a certain amount of common sense. That’s what ends up hindering the Phillies. Not the money. The guaranteed years.

    They’d have been in a much better position last season had they not been saddled with the third year of Raul Ibanez’s deal, and now, heading into this off-season, they’re saddled with the third year of Placido Polanco’s deal. That’s my biggest gripe with Amaro.

    The Phillies are a team that free agents would like to play for. Good fan support. Great pitching. They have pieces already in place with a solid farm system and the resources to win year in and year out.

    They’re not a team that should feel the need to give out extra guaranteed years.

    Reply
    • 0bsessions

      14 years ago

      Success begets money begets further success begets additional money.

      As long as the Phillies’ spending is justified with win totals at or around 100, they’ll be able to continue spending.

      Given, the Phillies are probably going to be hurting a few years down the old when age catches up to them, but for now they’ll probably be able to absorb another big one or two.

      Reply
  14. SalvadorM

    14 years ago

    try to sign Bell if you don’t sign Madson.

    Reply
  15. Noah Williams

    14 years ago

    closer < good offense

    Reply
  16. crashcameron

    14 years ago

    jeremy bonderman, pat neshek, scott kazmir, cla meredith … invite them all (regardless of who they sign as closer)

    and … domonic brown for chase headley

    Reply
  17. Hermie13

    14 years ago

    Chris Perez for Dominic Brown?

    Tribe needs an OFer and Perez is starting to get pricey.  Could insert Pestano in the closers role and try a cheaper guy (Putnam, CC Lee, etc) in the setup role.

    Tribe and Phillies have hooked up in a few trades lately….

    Reply
    • NatsTown

      14 years ago

      Don’t like that for Tribe. Proven 26 year old Closer for an Unproven 24 year old Outfielder

      Reply
  18. Kara

    14 years ago

    The Phillies will deal for a good closer, no doubt…  But this is the 2nd straight playoff season that our offense sucked.. We need a better hitter at 3rd base. We need a better backup catcher, a better bench. I think we re-sign Rollins for 3 years plus an option for a 4th. If not, we can sign Furcal until Gavis is ready for us. As for LF – Platoon Mayberry/Brown and if Howard isn’t ready for opening day, then Mayberry at 1st with Fransisco/Brown in LF.

    Our pitchers can’t be forced to pitch a shutout everyday… we need a better offense.
    So – who can we get at 3B?    I’d like to see Amaris Ramirez there. Polanco becomes an expensive backup 3b/2b – but as history has shown, we’ll need the backups and Polanco is a better backup than the .198 Martinez – the rest will fall into place.. remember, we just came off a 102 win season when a lot of players were on the DL a long time.. and if we didn’t lose 8 of our last 12 games, we would have done better.

    It would be nice to see these 2 possible line-ups
    1) Rollins (ss)
    2) Victorino (cf)
    3) Utley (2b)
    4) Howard (1b)
    5) Ramirez (3b)
    6) Pence (rf)
    7) Mayberry/Brown (lf)
    8) Ruiz (c)

    1) Furcal (ss)
    2) Utley (2b)
    3) Pence (rf)
    4) Howard (1b)
    5) Ramirez (3b)
    6) Victorino (cf)
    7) Mayberry/Brown (lf)
    8) Ruiz (c)

    Holliday ~ Lee ~ Hamels ~ Blanton ~ Worley ~ Kendrick
    Paplebon ~ Bastardo ~ Conteras ~ Stutes ~ Herndon ~ and rookies / FA’s

    Reply
  19. Jim McGrath

    14 years ago

    As a Red Sox fan I’m torn between signing Pap, moving Bard into the closer’s role, keeping him as set-up or going after Madson or Bell.

    Pap would look great in a Philly uniform and it may be time for a change for him. There will be a lot of changes in RS Nation after the Sept. Fall–So as a fan I would:
    1. Go after Madson as Closer
    2. Keep Bard as Set-up with Jenks

    Reply
    • Phillies_Aces35

      14 years ago

      Madson’s a great fit for you guys. He won’t be intimidated pitching for the Red Sox, gets lefties/righties out, great mentor for Bard, and can set up if they decide to promote Bard.

      I think the Phillies/Red Sox switching closers is a very likely scenario.

      Reply

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