Philadelphia Phillies: Top 25 Players They Should Be Eyeing This Offseason

Jonathan Papelbon and Jim Thome are both under new contracts with the Philadelphia Phillies, but with Black Friday right around the corner, this club’s shopping list is far from finished.

After an embarrassing exit from the National League Division Series at the hands of the eventual World Champion St. Louis Cardinals, the Phillies’ off-season shopping list went from a few players (after all, the 2011 squad certainly had the talent to win a World Series) to guys that would not only require major commitments, but fill major holes on the roster.

Of those obvious needs are a starting shortstop, a closer, a more productive bench, and perhaps players for a few other areas that could use some depth, for instance, the bullpen.

Signing Papelbon takes care of that need for a closer and Thome goes a long way in upgrading the bench, but the bullpen and the bench could both use some work. The Phillies don’t have a shortstop and the bench is riddled with mediocrity. There are championship caliber pieces in place for the Phillies, but there are also big holes.

That, however, is what the off-season is for. The free agent market is littered with valuable free agents and what you can not find on that market, can certainly be had on the trade market for a price. This slide show will run down some players that the Phillies should be targeting this winter, ranking them in overall value to the club.

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