8:20pm: The Rockies are no longer interested in Polanco because they don't feel he can play second base, tweets Rosenthal.
TUESDAY, 12:16pm: The Phillies are not shopping Polanco and are only interested in trading him if they can't re-sign Jimmy Rollins, reports ESPN's Jayson Stark. The Phillies refer to keep Rollins and Polanco on the left side of their infield, but they could add someone like Aramis Ramirez if Rollins leaves. Stark says the Phillies are willing to eat about a third of Polanco's contract, which equates to $2.4MM.
MONDAY, 11:50am: The Phillies are actively trying to trade third baseman Placido Polanco, a rival executive tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. That'd open up third base for free agent Aramis Ramirez, for whom the Phillies are reportedly strong players. Polanco, 36, is owed $7.25MM through 2012.
The Phillies have cooled on free agent Michael Cuddyer, Rosenthal reported earlier today.
Can he still play Second? If so, I think the Jays are all over this.
 I think you may have something here…
The Royals would be wise to make a push for him as well. They could legitimately contend with Polanco plus another front line starter.
Don’t you hijack my post. This is strictly Jays talk only!
Not hijacking at all, just expanding upon your idea.
sure
Brown and Polanco for Joey Bats! Sounds fair to me 😉
Brown and Polanco for Joey Bats! Sounds fair to me 😉
Do it Wren, lol j/k
I would kind of like to see the Cubs get Headley, but if that fails, trying to take Polanco as a slightly-overpaid stopgap might not be a bad idea, since they have had defensive issues at third for a while now.
I’m not sure what I’d realistically give up for him at over $7 million and coming off of double hernia surgery, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask.
Amaro gave him 1 year too long again. Now, he will have to eat 1/2 of his $ to move him.
He’s making $7.5 million dollars and is a premium defender at 2nd and 3rd base while providing solid offensive production when healthy. Ruben needs to eat $3 million?
YES he does. Ask yourself, if Polanco were a free agent coming off of double hernia surgery, would he get a $7 million from anyone? So why would anyone take that in a trade, because Rube charmed the pants off of them? Get real.
Polanco’s last “solid” offensive season was 2007, maybe 2008. He’s 35 and may be an injury risk, so the “when healthy” disclaimer is far from a given. His offense has been overall poor for a corner outfielder for three years now.
He’s not a bad player to have and his defense is definitely still stellar, but unless Amaro is content to basically give him away for nothing, he’ll probably have to eat a few million to move him.
I’m assuming you meant to say ‘infielder’ instead of ‘outfielder.” His offensive production, even if half way between 2008 and 2010 numbers would play alright at 2B.
Odds are that he’d put up something more similar to his 2009-2011 aggregate and that isn’t acceptable. There’s no reason to expect him to revert back to his Age 32 line in his Age 36 season.
Yes, I meant infielder, thank you.
Half way between 2008 and 2010 puts him at .747 which is decent for a 2B, but considering he’s failed to break .730 for three seasons running now, .747 is a pretty tall order for him. Based on recent history, his current value is more in the realm of just over Maicer Izturis/Jamey Carroll, which pegs him at worth maybe $4 million annually on the open market.
If Amaro wants to move him, he’ll have to either eat half of his salary or accept a minimal return.
I’m assuming you meant to say ‘infielder’ instead of ‘outfielder.” His offensive production, even if half way between 2008 and 2010 numbers would play alright at 2B.
He hit .296 in 2009. His value is in his batting average, not ops. Polanco’s not a high obp guy, never was.
A guy with a high average and no OBP ability to go with it is simply not that valuable offensively unless they’ve got some power.
Polanco’s not a bad overall player, but he’s not worth anything close to his current contract. His relatively old, he only brings one thing to the table offensively (Singles, no extra base power, no speed, no plate discipline) and he’s being paid at a rather high salary for his skill set. There are plenty of teams that will take him on if there’s no legitimate prospect cost attached to him, but the list of teams that will pay his salary and/or give up anything of value for him is basically non-existent.
Baked beans and I’ll take nothing less
Tigers will give you Delmon Young.
No we won’t. We’ll give them b- or c+ prospect.
He’s still outstanding defensively, but if he signed to a team with a pitcher-friendly park it would spell disaster.Â
Well…”pitcher-friendly park” would depress HR numbers, and Polanco has never been that kind of player anyway.
If anything, moving to a larger park would probably help his batting average and doubles-power – more space for balls to drop in for hits, larger gaps for doubles – similar to what Reyes experienced at Citi Field.
Polly doesnt have “doubles-power”. He is a pure singles hitter at this point in his career.
A pitcher-friendly park is a boon to a singles hitter like Polanco.
A pitcher-friendly park is a boon to a singles hitter like Polanco.
Good luck with that Rube.
Hmm, a 36 year old 3B with no offense coming off a double sports hernia surgery? And who is owed $7.5 million? Yeah, teams will be lining up for that.
He’s a 2nd baseman playing third. Lots of teams need an upgrade there. Detroit, St. Louis (?), Colorado, etc.
His salary isn’t unreasonable at all.
A 2B with an OPS+ of 90 over the last 3 seasons. Somehow I doubt he’d make $7+ million on the open market.
At least with a guy like Ramirez, they dont have to worry about injuries…
Oh, what’s that? Aramis averaged just 118 games a year over his last 3 seasons and will be 34 next year?
Yeah, that should turn out well.
Haterade®
But seriously, the Phillies obviously would eat at least half the contract and Ramirez and he played 149 games last year and 124 years before. Your stats are very very selective
In 4 of the past 7 seasons, Ramirez has missed at least 30 games to injury. Over that period, he averaged 131 games per year. Over the last three seasons, 2 of them were marred by major injuries as he missed half the season in 2009 and nearly 40 games in 2010.
Not selective at all really.
uh yes, simple mathematics would show you can bring down an average significantly (especially in a small sample size) with one outlier, like his 2009 season where he only played half the games due to a back injury.
How about this, in the last year he’s played 149 of 162 games.
Its always smart to use 1 year instead of the last 7 or even 2 of the last 3 when looking at statistics.
Nobody is arguing that he didnt have a great year. His history shows that the 149 game year was the outlier though.
Asking for 140 games (meaning not playing in 22) isn’t a lot to ask for. You have to consider off days. If Jose Reyes can make the money he did for 126 games, I think 140+ games from Ramriez is both reasonable and possible.
In 11 seasons, Ramirez has played in 140+ games 7 times. He’s played in fewer than Reyes’ 126 3 times, and only once was it by a significant margin.
The thing with Ramirez is he can’t field, so he’d be best as a 1B or DH. Also, you’re pretty well-off to expect 140+ games from him, so maybe one minor injury-related DL stint. It’s not like he’s going to constantly miss games.
History in selective years carefully picked out so you can maximize your talking point that he’s injury prone. In the last 6 years 4 he’s played over 130 games and the last two he’s averaged 136.7. See? Statistics can say whatever you want them to say
Its always smart to use 1 year instead of the last 7 or even 2 of the last 3 when looking at statistics.
Nobody is arguing that he didnt have a great year. His history shows that the 149 game year was the outlier though.
uh yes, simple mathematics would show you can bring down an average significantly (especially in a small sample size) with one outlier, like his 2009 season where he only played half the games due to a back injury.
How about this, in the last year he’s played 149 of 162 games.
the cardinals need a 2b and they have history with polanco. he’s great friends with albert. bring him back. he’s a perfect 2 hole hitter in front of albert. i’m sure the phils would take junk for him to save his money.
Mariners! He´d cost almost nothing, .330 vs lefties, go M´s!
How would he cost almost nothing?
Presumably, the Phillies are shopping him to clear payroll, otherwise they’d just sign Ramirez and use Polanco as a defensive replacement. Polanco’s a great defender, but his offense makes his contract a pretty decent overpay. If the Phillies want to actually clear payroll by moving him, they’ll have to take a lesser return.
I think the Phillies would be happy with zero return (like a PTBNL) if someone took the bulk of his salary off their hands.
Becomes much more doable then. I could see the Cubs or Blue Jays sniffing after him in that circumstance. If not for how close we are to the luxury tax, I’d definitely make a move on him for the Sox as a utility infielder if he didn’t cost anything valuable.
perfect platoon partner for Descalso at second base and good backup if Freese is hurt again. Â Welcome back to the Lou’ Polanco….
Bring him back to Detroit DD. Tigers never should have let him walk!
Polanco can still play. Â He put up 2.8 WAR last year playing mostly injured. Â If healthy, he’s totally worth his salary.
“If healthy” being the key word. He’s been injured for most of the past 2 years even if he played through those injuries for most of each season. His numbers are buoyed by great first months of the season both years…otherwise he’s been brutal offensively due to the injuries.
Well, unless you’re playing the worst second/third baseman ever when Polanco’s out, getting about 3 WAR with whatever his replacement offers SHOULD result in an overall WAR of 4 or so from the position over a whole season, which isn’t bad AT ALL for Polanco’s $7.25(?) million salary, plus the cost of that backup.
And that’s exactly what the Tigers are doing. Playing the worst second/third basemen ever.
nepp, With too many posts what’s your real issue with PP & Ramirez?  Do you hate the Phillies or do you aspire to be a gloomy injury know-it-all? Polanco was part of a good Detroit team & Phillies teams that averaged 100 wins despite injuries the last 2 years. He won gold gloves at both positions including this year. He’s a consistent professional hitter who postponed surgery to try to help the team win another WS. He clearly faded with the injury this year but that’s not his avg. If only 2011 matters then why do you argue the opposite with Ramirez. He’s seen as being ready to go in 2012.
Might be a good fit for a team looking for an alternative to Martin Prado.
AÂ very good point since the Phillies are actively shopping him. The Braves aren’t actively shopping, they’re just saying he’s available but only for the right deal.
AÂ very good point since the Phillies are actively shopping him. The Braves aren’t actively shopping, they’re just saying he’s available but only for the right deal.
This is exactly what the Tigers need!!! Bring Mr. Consistant back to MO TOWN!!!
Â
Why go after Ramirez or Cuddyer theres a great hitting 3B out there that nobody talks about. Albert Pujols in his spurts at 3rd it looks like he can handle 3rd Base. Â Thats if they lose out on Rollins at SS and find a way to dump Blanton contract.Â
Even if that weren’t ludicrous at its face, there is no way the Phillies can afford Pujols after spending big on Lee and Papelbon the last two offseasons.
Well, who knows? I mean, we DO know Howard’s going to miss a good chunk of time to start the season. Maybe they ease Pujols into it by having him play 1B 5 times a week and 3B 1-2 times a week, with some random guy playing 3B (I have no name to offer this second…maybe sign DeRosa?) the other games until Howard’s healthy.
Of course you’re right, though; there’s NO WAY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH that the Phillies could afford Pujols.
Lol, could you imagine the temper tantrums?
Lol, could you imagine the temper tantrums?
Come on, Tigers! Bring Polly back!
i say the cardinals, he’d be perfect in the two hole, playing second base, and great in front of holliday, berkman, freese, or if back pujols, could really bring up rbi numbers
The Tigers should bring polanco back to play 2nd, make a trade to get Daniel Murphy from the Mets to play 3rd, sign Cespedes to play left field, then trade Delmon Young for someone like Guthrie, sign Dotel and the Tigers will be back to the World Series. GO DO IT DD
Oliver for Polanco. Dirks and cash for Murphy. Young, Porcello, and Fields for Garza. I’m probably going to get ripped on that last one, but whatever.
OKay – ask yourself this…
How many teams have a 2B that are better than Polanco?
Cards 2b better? Tigers? Blue Jays? Mets? Rockies? Mariners? Royals? Cubs? Padres? Twins? Angels? Astros? Dodgers? and the list continues….
Twins, Jays, Rockies, Cards and Tigers are best fits because they are in a win now mode, and Polanco being both a 2b/3b GOLD Glove fielder with a career .296 ba would fit in all those teams plans… Cards, Tigers and Twins could SURELY use him as an ultra 2b/3b mix everyday player.
somebody signed a Utility player 2 years, $10 million dollars.. Jamey Carroll?
Whoever it was, I’d rather have Polanco at 1 year, 7.5 mil than the one that just signed for 2 years for 10 million…
I would LOVE it if the Phillies could still get Ramirez and have Polanco as our super-utility player…. Polly is NOT injury proned.. he played last year with a DOUBLE hernia, and didn’t tank, and still was the best defensive 3b in the NL. Bill James has him coming back nicely in 2012 projected stats, and i believe it.. I think enough teams in MLB believe it too.. He won’t be a hard sell to those that need him.
Ah, winter meetings rumor season. One the block one minute, sort-of on it the next.
He was always “sort of on it.” The Phillies aren’t going to trade him to sign Ramirez if there’s no need to sign Ramirez. There would be no need to sign Ramirez if Rollins resigns.
It was always one way or the other.
highly doubt they will be giving Polanco away. Im sure Amaro wants to add prospects into the system.
They won’t get any prospects of note. Andy Oliver for Polanco and cash.
Fair deal. They need cheap rotation depth beyond the five starters.
Or Daniel Fields.
The agent for Ramirez is the same as Furcal…Â it would be great if we could sign both if Rollins goes to the Brewers.
1) Furcal
2) Utley
3) Pence
4) Howard
5) Ramirez
6) Victorino
7) Mayberry/Nix
8) Ruiz
9) Halladay ~ Lee ~ Hamels ~ Worley ~ Blanton
   Papaelbon / Bastardo / Conteras / Stutes / Schwimmer / Kendrick / LHP (Sherrill or Savory)
Now that works for me…Â
Wiggy ~ Thome ~ Valdez ~ Schneider on the bench.
and there’s your 25 man roster..
That works out but the Phillies aren’t that interested in Furcal
I would love them to sign Furcal but I get the feeling it’s Jimmy or Freddy at this point.
Isn’t this the same team that thought Michael Young could play every day at 2nd? Yet they don’t think a former Gold Glover 2nd baseman who just won a Gold Glove at an unnatural position can play 2nd?
But he just came off a surgery which will probably affect his performance. It’s tough to swallow that for many teams.
But he just came off a surgery which will probably affect his performance. It’s tough to swallow that for many teams.
Can`t play second…lol. I`d love him back in the D playing third or second.
Can`t play second…lol. I`d love him back in the D playing third or second.
Seems like the only people who want Polanco are dumb Tiger fans who are still wearing their 2006 ALCS champs T-Shirt
Would the Phillies do a 3 way trade including the Mets and some other team that the Mets get what they want the Phillies get David Wright and the other team gets Polanco
Polanco= In a Cardinals uniform in 2012. He will finish his career with them.
Maybe if Tony was still the manager, he loved Polanco.
Maybe if Tony was still the manager, he loved Polanco.
Crap
Placido and his giant head are coming back to motown!!
Perfect fit at 3rd!