On Wednesday, the Phillies claimed center fielder Peter Bourjos off waivers, reuniting him with GM Matt Klentak. Klentak, of course, was a longtime assistant GM with the Angels, the organization that drafted and developed Bourjos. Having that background knowledge of Bourjos factored into Klentak’s decision to claim him from the Cardinals, but in a conference call with reporters, the exec pointed out that it has been a while since they were in the same building.
“[The familiarity] factored in for sure, probably most notably because I think very highly of Peter Bourjos the person and that is something that I’ve been talking about since I first started here six weeks ago, which is the importance of building an environment,” Klentak said when asked by MLBTR. “I happen to have first-hand knowledge of knowing Peter, knowing what a great human being he is, and how he fits into a roster. From my perspective, yes, my history with him was important, but I haven’t been with him for the last few years he was in St. Louis, so we’re relying on the information that we have here at our disposal.”
By adding Bourjos to the fold, the Phillies have bolstered an outfield mix that already includes Odubel Herrera, Cody Asche, and youngster Aaron Altherr. One might wonder then if veteran free agent Jeff Francoeur is the odd man out. Klentak declined to say if he’s actively having dialogue with Francoeur’s agent, but he did make it clear that the team is not ruling out a reunion with the soon-to-be 32-year-old.
“I wouldn’t say the addition of Bourjos takes us us out on any player. We’re still going to be open minded and we still have spots on our roster. I don’t think claiming Bourjos and adding him precludes us necessarily,” said Klentak.
It will be interesting to see exactly what the Phillies can get out of Bourjos, who has yet to replicate his breakout 2011 campaign with the Halos. Klentak mused that his struggles could have been caused by his troublesome hip, the development of Mike Trout ahead of him in Anaheim, his position in St. Louis alongside an already strong outfield, or a combo of the three. Whatever the reason for his stumbles, Klentak is hopeful that the Phillies can get him back to his old form.
If Peter can find that pop in his bat from a few years ago he will be a good everyday OF. he can flat out run down any ball in the OF. The Phillies have tons of money to spend. Another few years and the Phillies will be fun to watch. – go sign Hayward!!
he’s got speed, but don’t let him try to steal, he is a god awful baserunner. he was like 4 for 12 in SB attempts last year.
He can run, just don’t give him the greenlight on the basepaths. he was like 4 for 12 in SB attempts last year.
I can’t make up my mind on the Bourjos aquistion. There is a lot to like about him, he was liked by the old and new regime, and he certainly has more upside than Frency.
However, I’m not ready to say that whatever upside Bourjos provides is better than the intangible value provided by francouer. With all the outfield talent soon to be coming up (Quinn and Williams at the door) you have to wonder how much of a “future” piece he really is.
I’m just rambling here at this point, man
He was the number 7 outfielder at the end of the year for STL. He has blazing speed but cannot run the bases or bunt a fair ball, what is the point and why are they acting like this is a big move?
The comments about his speed are more focusing on what it does for his defense as opposed to stealing bases. And his base stealing isn’t great or even good, but he’s not a bad base runner and his speed is a big part of that. Chase Utley was never considered a base stealer but he was an excellent guy to have on the base paths.
I don’t think anyone’s labeling this as a franchise altering move, but it is a good signing as far as veteran leaders go on a very young club.
I’m probably in the minority, but I’d let Bourjos play LF and platoon with Sweeney or Asche.
Bourjos is a place holder for Nick Williams, whos going to end up playing LF.
Let Herrera develop in CF while you hope Bourjos can help him learn a thing or two.
On a more positive note, Altherr, Bourjos and Herrera in the OF is going to be a pitchers dream.
Bourjos is a platoon/defensive replacement player in teh phillies rebuild IMO. Can’t have those numbers in the OF full time. The 11 triples are intriguing but … im not seeing him as a piece of the rebuild. I’d stick him in center, bring up williams early for LF, let Sweeney platoon with Bourjos and athlerr. Put Herrera back at 2B, as long as his D is at least average. Herrera numbers for 2B…. are much more competitive imo.