MLB Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Tricks Ruben Amaro Jr. Still Has Up His Sleeve

As the Major League Baseball offseason hits its midway point, just before taking flight at the annual Winter Meetings, a calm has settled over the free agency period. With a little more than two months before conversations about spring training begin, the bulk of the signings around the league have yet to occur.

The Philadelphia Phillies entered the market by making a splash through their acquisition of star closer Jonathan Papelbon but have remained relatively quiet since the deal was finalized. Aside from bringing in a few bats to retool the bench, the club has slowed their approach, along with many other teams around the league.

However, after years of making franchise-defining moves, Phillies fans can rest assured that General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has yet to finish dealing. After watching him lure Cliff Lee away from the big spenders last season and plug holes in the lineup with fan-favorites like Hunter Pence, it’s hard not expect Amaro to be ready to pull the trigger.

So as free agency seems to run into doldrums before the league spurs back to life in just over a week, there is a legitimate chance the Phillies’ front office already has something in the works. Whether it is signing a upper-echelon free agent or making another blockbuster trade, here are five moves that Amaro could still have up his sleeve.

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