5 Players You Absolutely Do Not Want the Phillies to Sign in Free Agency

With the number of openings and the number of options that the Philadelphia Phillies have this offseason, it’s not surprising that they have yet to pick up their first new acquisition.

The Phillies are not the only team that could use upgrades to their outfield and at third base, and general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. has already said that he would rather pay a player through free agency than have to trade for a player—as can be read in an article by Jim Salisbury on CSNPhilly.com.

The Phils will likely have to scan the trade market for upgrades, but signing the right free agent or two could lay the foundation for a successful 2013 season.

At the same time, signing the wrong free agents could lead to another disappointing season for a team with one of the league’s highest payrolls.

Here are five players that you absolutely DO NOT want the Phillies to sign in free agency.

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Marco Scutaro Phillies Rumors: Is Giants Postseason Hero Philly’s Missing Link?

The Philadelphia Phillies had problems up and down their lineup for much of the 2012 season, but no position gave them headaches quite like third base.

The Phillies had a revolving cast of misfits at the hot corner for pretty much the entire season. Placido Polanco was too banged up to play for the most part, leaving Charlie Manuel no choice but to take what he could get from the likes of Kevin Frandsen and Ty Wigginton.

Ultimately, Phillies third basemen combined to post a .672 OPS, the lowest of any position on the team outside of pitcher. Phillies third basemen hit as many homers (five) as the team got from assorted pinch-hitters throughout the course of the season.

It’s fairly obvious that an upgrade is needed, especially now that Polanco and Wigginton have hit the road as free agents. The Phillies know this as well as anyone, and the word from Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com is that they’re going to leave no stone unturned this winter:

#Phillies “wide open” in their search for a third baseman. Could look at multi-position types like Scutaro/Keppinger as well as Youk, etc.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 13, 2012

Marco Scutaro, you say?

Very interesting…

The notion of the Phillies making a move for Scutaro this time last season wouldn’t have been all that intriguing. He was coming off a good, but not great, year with the Boston Red Sox, and his billing was as a mediocre everyday shortstop. And an aging one at that.

Much has changed over the last 12 months. Scutaro made quite the name for himself after he was traded by the Colorado Rockies to the San Francisco Giants in July, hitting .362 with an .859 OPS and 44 RBI in 61 games down the stretch before having a terrific postseason. He hit .328 during the Giants’ run through the playoffs, and he came up with big hit after big hit in the NLCS and the World Series.

Scutaro also got to show off his versatility in 2012, as he logged significant innings at third base, second base and shortstop.

Sounds like a guy the Phillies could use, don’t you think?

I’d have to say the answer is yes, but the idea of the Phillies making a play for Scutaro isn’t that much of a slam dunk. They’d be signing a good role player, but they wouldn’t be getting the same star who helped lead the Giants to a second World Series title in three years.

Scutaro isn’t as good as he was with the Giants down the stretch and in the postseason. In fact, he was having a downright poor season when he was on the Rockies, as he was hitting just .271/.324/.361 despite the fact he was playing half his games at Coors Field. 

Scutaro entered the 2012 season as a .270/.338/.389 hitter for his career. He had posted an OPS over .780 in two of the last three seasons, to be sure, but that seemed to be the high-water mark for his hitting abilities before he went on a tear upon joining the Giants.

I’m guessing you don’t need me to tell you that the tear Scutaro went on isn’t something we’re likely to see again, but I’ll say it anyway. He’s not going to post a .366 BABIP again seeing as how his career BABIP is right around .300, and he’s probably not going to be the same kind of clutch game-changer that he was down the stretch. He posted a higher RE24—a stat that essentially tracks how a given hitter altered run expectancies depending on the situations he faced—in his 61 games with the Giants than Miguel Cabrera did in his final 61 games.

Regardless of where he ends up, a fair expectation for Scutaro in 2013 will be for him to go back to being a slightly above-average offensive producer. His batting average will come close to .300, but his on-base and slugging totals will likely leave his OPS short of .800.

But if I’m Ruben Amaro, Jr., this is a thought that doesn’t concern me all that much. Not so long as I’m looking to find a third baseman who can merely do better than a .672 OPS, anyway. Any upgrade will do so long as said upgrade isn’t too expensive, as the Phillies already have over $136 million in salaries committed for the 2013 season, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts.

And Scutaro shouldn’t be too expensive. He’s likely looking for a raise on the $6 million he made in 2012, but he’s in no position to demand a contract worth seven figures per year. My best guess is that he’d settle for something like $8 million per year over two years, which sounds pretty reasonable for the Phillies seeing as how they spent over $10 million on Polanco and Wigginton in 2012.

In terms of value, the Phillies could expect to get an fWAR somewhere between 2.5 and 3.0 from Scutaro. That’s generally where he’s been ever since he became an everyday player in 2008, as the only year in which he’s ever posted an fWAR higher than 2.9 was in 2009, according to FanGraphs. The 2.5-3.0 range suits him because his hitting, defense and baserunning are only ever solid (i.e. close to “good” and short of “great”). 

But once again, we’re talking about a clear upgrade for the Phillies. Frandsen posted a decent 1.6 fWAR for them despite getting limited playing time, but Polanco managed a mere 0.6 fWAR and Wigginton had a -0.7 fWAR. 

And indeed, Scutaro also comes with certain attributes that can’t be quantified. It became clear enough during his time with the Giants that he’s got great intangibles. As the season went along and the Giants went deeper and deeper into the postseason, you started to hear more and more about what a great teammate and clubhouse presence Scutaro is, and he certainly led by example when he refused to stop playing after Matt Holliday obliterated him in Game 2 of the NLCS.

Scutaro has actually had this reputation for a while. While he was garnering acclaim for the role he was playing for the Giants in the playoffs, Alex Speier of WEEI.com noted that he was watching basically the same player that he got to know while Scutaro was on the Red Sox: “a player who managed to stay on the field and contribute even when fighting through injuries, a respected member of the clubhouse.”

The Phillies already seem to have a pretty good clubhouse atmosphere, but they’re just one of many teams that would love to have a guy like Scutaro join the fray. He’d assimilate into the new environment with little trouble, and his competitive drive would very much come in handy seeing as how the Phillies will be out to bounce back from a lost year in 2013.

Scutaro would surely endear himself to his teammates even more by occasionally stepping in at second base to spell Chase Utley. The fresher his legs are kept, the more likely the Phillies are to get a good season’s worth of production out of him.

So, all things considered, how much of a contender would Scutaro make the Phillies?

I feel like I may actually be in the minority here, but I think the Phillies already have the look of a contender. They have their share of needs that need to be addressed, but they have three very good starting pitchers in Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels to lean on, and their offense isn’t as hopeless as a lot of people probably think. 

Though he’s far from the hitter he used to be, Jimmy Rollins is still a threat. Carlos Ruiz has gotten a little better as a hitter every year, and he’ll enter 2013 fresh off a season that saw him hit .325 with a .935 OPS. Utley and Ryan Howard will at least be able to provide some good pop if they can stay on the field, and the Phillies have a couple of promising youngsters in the mix in Domonic Brown and Darin Ruf.

In the grand scheme of things, the upgrades Scutaro‘s skills would mean for the Phillies would be modest. His offensive production at third base would be better than what they got in 2013, but his defense and baserunning would likely be no better than league-average. 

But as he did with the Giants, Scutaro could make a huge difference just with his intangibles. If the Phillies are in contention late in the 2013 season, they could look to Scutaro to emerge as a spark plug and a team leader. It would be great if he were to hit .360 in the stretch run again, but he could be a valuable cog on the Phillies even if he were to hit .260. His energy alone could give the them an edge.

Bear in mind that the Phillies are likely to need as many edges as they can possibly get in 2013. The NL East is going to have at least two other legit contenders in the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves, and it could have a third if the New York Mets retain R.A. Dickey and David Wright and then find a way to recapture the magic they had in the first half of the 2012 season.

All three of these teams gave the Phillies fits in 2012. Philadelphia went 9-9 against the Nats, and finished with sub .500 records against the Braves and Mets in their head-to-head matchups. Though they did shape up towards the end of the year, the Phillies left the Nats, Braves and Mets with little reason to think they’re still the dominant power in the NL East.

Provided they stay healthy, the Phillies will redeem themselves in 2013. If they sign Scutaro and he does for them what he did for the Giants, the division could fall under their control once again.

 

Note: Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted. Salary figures courtesy of Cot’s Baseball Contracts.

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25 Greatest Philadelphia Phillies Offseason Moves of All Time

Every offseason move is made with the intention of helping a club win a World Series title.

That’s a wide spectrum, and things don’t always seem to work out that way, but it is certainly the intention. Whether teams add a home run hitter, an ace starting pitcher or depth to their bench, the goal is to win a World Series. 

So, when teams actually win the World Series, those moves are looked back on with favor. And when they come up short, the general manager made a mistake. That’s just the way the game works. 

But the Philadelphia Phillies have had at least one of those moves on each end of the spectrum and everywhere in between. This slideshow will take a look back at offseasons of Phillies past and determine the best transactions. 

Remember, these transactions had to have taken place in the offseason. Once the regular season begins, those transactions are off limits. In an attempt to keep the discussion relevant, I focused on every offseason since the dawn of free agency as we know it. 

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Josh Hamilton Phillies Rumors: Could Lefty-Dominated Lineup Survive in NL East?

Are the Philadelphia Phillies interested in free-agent outfielder Josh Hamilton? 

A similar question such as “Is the Pope Catholic?” could be the response. Hamilton is the best available hitter on the free-agent market. The Phillies have a need for a power bat in their outfield. 

Besides, as CSN Philly’s Jim Salisbury explains, Philadelphia’s front office does a thorough check on all available players. Even if the Phillies aren’t necessarily in on a particular player, the market could always swing in their favor. 

This might be the case with Hamilton. If teams decide to pass on him because of his reported desire for a seven-year, $175 million deal, the Phillies could seize an opportunity. ESPN’s Buster Olney tweeted that Philadelphia doesn’t have a problem with a $25 million annual salary. Its issue would be the length of Hamilton’s contract. 

Paying Hamilton that much money would seem strange, given general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.’s stated intention to get the Phillies’ payroll below the $178 million luxury tax threshold for 2013. But perhaps the possibility of landing an MVP-caliber player like Hamilton has Amaro reconsidering that stance. 

Adding a hitter who slugged 43 home runs with 128 RBI would certainly make the Phillies lineup more formidable. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins led the team with 23 homers this year, though injuries to Chase Utley and Ryan Howard obviously reduced their season totals. 

However, there’s one problem that immediately comes to mind when talking about Utley, Howard and Hamilton possibly making up the middle of a lineup. All of them hit left-handed.

The preference, of course, is to mix it up in the middle of the batting order, if not through the entire lineup. A manager doesn’t want an opponent to bring in a left-handed relief specialist and shut down three or four hitters in a row. Even worse, what if the skipper had to sit a couple of his best hitters when facing a tough left-handed starting pitcher? 

But would this apply to the Phillies if they signed Hamilton? Would the middle of the lineup be easily handcuffed by left-handed pitching?

Against lefties during his career, Howard has hit .227 with a .739 OPS. That’s not very good. Unfortunately, it was even worse last season, as he hit .173 with a .604 OPS. 

Utley has hit lefties pretty well in his 10 major league seasons. He has a career .270 batting average with an .853 OPS; but southpaws hurt him this year. Utley hit .215 with a .679 OPS in such matchups.

Rollins is a bit of a different case, since he’s a switch-hitter and bats right-handed against lefty pitchers. Over his career, he has a .272 average and .752 OPS. But he was bitten by the same bug that got Howard and Utley, apparently. Rollins batted .218 with a .612 OPS against left-handers last year.

What about Hamilton? Would he improve this mix even though he bats left-handed? He’s a career .280 hitter versus lefties with an .808 OPS. This season, Hamilton was even better, batting .291 with an .853 OPS, 10 home runs and 41 RBI. 

How would this foursome fare against some of the tougher left-handers in the NL East? Fortunately, they wouldn’t have to face Cliff Lee or Cole Hamels, so that’s getting off to a good start. 

The Washington Nationals‘ Gio Gonzalez may have been the best lefty starter in the NL this year. Left-handed batters hit .232 with a .585 OPS against him this season. Howard went 0-for-5 against him, while Utley batted 2-for-6 (.333) and Rollins batted 3-for-7 (.429). 

Granted, those are very small samples to judge from, but Gonzalez only has one season in the NL. Hamilton, however, faced him regularly in the AL. He’s batted .353 (6-for-17) against him over his career with a 1.127 OPS, two homers and four RBI. 

Johan Santana is another tough left-hander the Phillies have to face regularly. Interestingly, he was worse against lefties than righties this season, giving up a .281 average and a .745 OPS.

Even more intriguing is that Howard has hit Santana well during his career. He’s 8-for-25 (.320) with four home runs, seven RBI and a 1.170 OPS. Utley has a .241 average (7-for-29) with four home runs and eight RBI, helping him toward a .980 OPS. Rollins is also 7-for-29 against Santana with two homers and three RBI.

Amaro hasn’t been afraid of putting three left-handed bats in the middle of his lineup. Shortly after becoming the Phillies GM, he signed Raul Ibanez to a three-year deal. That didn’t appear to make sense, as Philadelphia needed a right-hander to complement Utley and Howard.

Ibanez had three good seasons with the Phillies, and batted .254 with a .770 OPS against lefties. The Phillies also made it to the World Series (defending their 2008 championship) in his first season. 

If Phillies manager Charlie Manuel were to bat Hamilton fourth, between Utley and Howard, the lineup likely wouldn’t have three nearly automatic outs against left-handed pitching.

Hamilton doesn’t appear to be the best fit for the Phillies, but if the team had the opportunity to sign him, could Amaro resist the opportunity?

 

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Philadelphia Phillies: Josh Hamilton, B.J. Upton on Fightins’ Wish List

The Philadelphia Phillies are apparently serious about not just landing a premium free agent like Josh Hamilton or B.J. Upton this offseason—they are looking at stars under contract too.

This is the sort of aggressive thinking that happens when a team follows up five division titles with a season its fans would have been happy to see end in July.

Couple that with the gaping holes the Phillies have in the outfield and at third base (apologies to Kevin Frandsen) and you can see why the team with the second-highest payroll in 2012 may be getting ready to write a few more huge checks. (Via USA Today.)

And it is probably the only way to explain why the Phillies would be linked to the possibility of signing Josh Hamilton (per Buster Olney).

The arguments against Josh Hamilton as a big-money free agent are plentiful. Can you remember an established superstar hitting free agency with more questions surrounding him than Hamilton?

In the past four seasons with the Texas Rangers, Hamilton has missed an astonishing 157 games. Then you see his underwhelming postseason numbers (.227 batting average, .424 slugging percentage) and the thought of guaranteeing Hamilton generational money looks as dubious as some of his life choices. (Via baseball-reference.com.)

In the past five seasons, though, Hamilton has made five All-Star teams, won two Silver Slugger awards and a Most Valuable Player award. His team went to two World Series.

The considerable fretting about his age (he will turn 32 in May) and the missed games ignores what he would bring to Philadelphia for the shorter term, something they do not have right now.

Hamilton would give the Phillies a hitter opposing pitchers fear.

Up to now, the prevailing speculation was that B.J. Upton was the preferred candidate to man center field for the next few years (per CSN Philly). It is easy to see why.

Upton is a legitimate power/speed threat at a premium position. At 28 years of age, Upton is coming into his prime right now, and his 28 home runs and 31 steals in 2012 prove that point.

The holes in the Phillies’ outfield can be addressed in free agency, particularly if Darin Ruf and Domonic Brown can be counted on to play significant roles in 2013 and beyond.

Third base, though, is looking like a position that would best be addressed via trade.

In July, the Phillies reportedly inquired of the San Diego Padres what it would take to pry Chase Headley loose, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

Headley emerged from a series of solid but unspectacular seasons to post a slash line of .286/31/115 in 2012. At 28 years of age, Headley‘s trade value is never ever going to be higher. Will the Padres trade him? Will they sign him to an extension?

The Padres are kidding themselves if they think they can contend in the near future for the National League West title with the recent two-time world champion San Francisco Giants and the big-dollar, big-expectation Los Angeles Dodgers in the division.

So it will be interesting to learn whether the Phillies are willing to overpay the Padres for Headley. He would fill a huge hole in the field and in the lineup.

The shocker, though, is the emergence of news of another superstar third baseman who may be on the move.

Wall Street Journal writer and self-described sports analyst Michael Salfino tweeted Sunday that a source told him that “Wilpon/Mets are broke, can’t extend R.A. or Wright and have maybe two years left before they lose team.” (Via hardballtalk.nbcsports.com.) 

Could the Phillies make a play for Wright?

The Mets certainly would be chagrined to see Wright wander down I-95 to show up in the Phillies’ lineup against them almost 20 times a season.

But if the Phillies are willing to part with value for Wright in a trade, or if the Mets feel like there may be better uses for the $16 million Wright will get in 2013 plus whatever amount it will take to sign him to an extension, the idea of Wright in red pinstripes becomes less far-fetched.

The sad truth for the Mets is that by the time the team fully recovers from its financial difficulties and gets competitive again, Wright will be past his prime. (Via New York Post.) If the Mets are going to rebuild, parting with Wright is the best way to get started.

The Phillies need a third baseman and Wright is among the best in baseball.

A deal sending Wright to Philadelphia is unlikely. But given the recent rumblings from New York, it is certainly not impossible.

Securing the services of even one of these huge names would almost certainly convince a newly-skeptical fanbase that the Phillies are once again ready to challenge for a championship in 2013.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Worst Contracts in Phillies’ History

In the past 20 years, baseball contracts have exploded in length and dollars. When players become free agents, teams continue to shell out millions and millions of dollars to hitters who fail more times than they succeed and pitchers who only play once every five days.

Most of these bloated contracts for far too many years turn into nightmares and players are traded for guys you and I have never heard of. It’s all for a pipe dream that these individuals may exceed expectations and continue their success that earned them a contract for past triumphs. 

The Phillies have had their fair share of terrible contracts that have led them to eat millions of dollars. They’ve gone to players who have done nothing to earn the money that most people won’t see in working their entire lives. 

Get ready, because here are the five worst contracts in Phillies’ history.

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Philadelphia Phillies Rumors: Chances of Each Top 5 Target Signing

We are now a couple of weeks into the offseason, and all of the Philadelphia Phillies‘ top targets are still on the board, so what better time to take another look at their odds of landing one of those big fish. 

As has been the case since the trade deadline, the Phillies have a quite a few holes to fill. They’ll be in the market for a centerfielder, setup man, third baseman and possibly a starting pitcher, likely in that order. 

If you’re following Bleacher Report’s offseason tracker for the Phillies, you would know that they have already set aside a few targets that are likely to hover above the rest this winter. What are the odds of landing them? 

Only one way to find out. 

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Should the Philadelphia Phillies Sign Michael Bourn or B.J. Upton?

The Philadelphia Phillies drastically need a center fielder next season. Michael Bourn and B.J. Upton are star free agents and high on the Philadelphia Phillies’ radar. Ruben Amaro Jr. understands this is the most important signing during the offseason. So, who should the Phils pursue?

 

Scenario 1: Michael Bourn leads the Phillies

There is no denying the former Phillies outfielder, Michael Bourn, is a gifted baseball player. He is a natural leadoff hitter, with 40-plus stolen base potential. Not to mention a two-time Gold Glove winner. 

The Phillies lack a true leadoff batter, as Jimmy Rollins is not the answer. Bourn is a natural at the spot, although last season his strikeout totals reached a career-high (155), as well as his homers (nine). Unfortunately, this is the same route J-Roll took at leadoff—swinging for the fences.

Bourn did have a respectable on-base percentage last season, and has throughout his brilliant career. 

There is one major snag with signing Bourn—super-agent Scott Boras.

This will cost the Phillies. According to Philly.com reporter Matt Gelb, the Phillies and Boras have a murky history, dating from grumblings with J.D. Drew, so many years ago, and not signing Ryan Madson—though Boras claims he has moved on from the past.

Bourn will be looking for mega-dollars this offseason, and Boras will likely wade in the free-agent pool for the right deal to strong-arm the Phillies.

Potential starting lineup with Bourn:

CF Bourn

SS Rollins

2B Utley

1B Howard

C Ruiz

LF Ruf

3B Frandsen

RF Brown/Mayberry

 

Scenario 2: B.J. Upton mans the field in center

Upton is potentially a five-tool player. He could hit for power, steal bases, hit for percentage, knock in runs and play defense. Key word being “potentially.”

Upton has not lived up to his athletic ability or hype, yet he still produces above-average stats.

Last season, Upton had a career-high in homers (28), but also in strikeouts (169). Needless to say, he would bring a right-handed power presence to the lineup—another glaring need for the Phillies.

CSNPhilly.com, Jim Salisbury, reported Ruben Amaro Jr. and Upton’s agent, Larry Reynolds, have been in recent communication. Salisbury also reported that the Phillies newly signed hitting coach, Steve Henderson, was Upton’s hitting coach in 2007—his career-best offensive season. Coincidence?

Upton should come cheaper than Bourn, but the Phils will still have to cough up plenty of money to sign the unproven veteran.

Potential starting lineup with Upton:

SS Rollins

2B Utley

CF Upton

1B Howard

C Ruiz

LF Ruf

3B Frandsen

RF Brown/Mayberry

Personally, B.J. Upton is the man for the job—shocker, I know. Upton is two years younger than Bourn and should come cheaper. Yes, the Phillies will still lack a leadoff hitter, but Upton’s power presence is more than capable of helping this team. Bourn may have already reached his full potential, whereas Upton is still on the rise. Signing Upton could also save money, allowing the Phillies to sign a veteran third baseman or relief pitchers. 

Both players would bring strong and different abilities to the Phillies. Management must now decide which style of play is necessary to win a championship. Ruben Amaro Jr. has a difficult task this offseason, as this signing could make or break World Series status or future signings.

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Philadelphia Phillies: What Kevin Frandsen’s Contract Means for Phillies

Coming off his best stint in the major leagues, the Philadelphia Phillies‘ Kevin Frandsen has recently agreed to a one-year contract worth $850,000, a source confirmed according to CSNPhilly.com’s Jim Salisbury.

From the time Frandsen was called up to the big leagues, he worked his tail off every play of every game to earn his new contract.

Spring training will be an important time for Frandsen, especially if the Phillies do not acquire any third base help this offseason. All eyes will be on him to see if he can maintain his success at the plate.

Frandsen hit a career-high .338 in 195 at-bats, with two home runs and 14 RBI. His .834 OPS was also a career high. In the 55 games he started, he consistently made solid contact, striking out only 18 times and earning himself a starting position for the Phillies during their late-season surge, which ultimately fell seven games short of the last wild-card spot.

His signing shows that Ruben Amaro Jr. and the organization are at least committed to keeping Frandsen on the 25-man roster unless his production completely falls off.

In 2013, Frandsen will most likely be used as a utility infielder and may be a part of a platoon situation at third with Freddy Galvis if the Phillies do not decide to add a third baseman through free agency or by trade.

As an everyday player, Frandsen can provide the Phillies’ lineup with a consistent contact hitter that can contribute from the bottom of the lineup. For his defense, Frandsen has shown glimpses of above-average play along with the inability to make routine plays on a consistent basis.

Freddy Galvis is a much better defender, but if Frandsen can continue to hit, he will earn the bulk of the playing time at third in 2013. 

The third base free-agent market this year is extremely weak, with Kevin Youkilis and Eric Chavez as the only legitimate players available.

Look for Frandsen to get his shot at an everyday job if he continues to hit in 2013. If I had to make a prediction, Frandsen will probably be the Phillies’ opening day third baseman.

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Josh Hamilton Would Be a Perfect Fit with Philadelphia Phillies

It may be a long shot to actually happen, but free agent Josh Hamilton could be exactly what the Philadelphia Phillies need.

In the midst of one of their most disappointing seasons in recent memory, the Phillies traded away their top two outfielders, Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino.

While Pence and Victorino yielded decent returns, the Phillies still have some work to do to prepare them for next season, but even more work to do for their future.

The Phillies’ core is getting old—Chase Utley is 33, Ryan Howard is 32, Roy Halladay is 35 and Cliff Lee and Jimmy Rollins are 34. While Hamilton isn’t that young himself at 31, he only broke into the league in 2007, when he played 90 games with the Cincinnati Reds, so he has a lot less wear on his tires.

The Phillies need outfielders, and while Hamilton is best in center, he can play any of the three outfield positions. Signing him would give the Phillies a lot of leeway with how they want to approach rebuilding the rest of the outfield.

Hamilton’s biggest contribution would be his bat. In the four seasons where he played more than 120 games, Hamilton averaged roughly 170 hits, 33 home runs and 113 RBIs.

Over his entire six-year career, Hamilton has a .304 BA, .363 OBP and .549 slugging percentage. He would provide an instant boost to a Phillies team that struggled at times, with Utley and Howard looking less and less like the sluggers they were a couple years ago.

Hamilton brings some baggage with him, but Phillies fans are in need of a boost heading into next season, and there’s no other free agent that would pick up an entire city like Hamilton.

Philadelphia has dealt with baggage before, and will embrace any player that gives their all on the field and helps the team win, which is exactly what Hamilton will do.

He is not only a great hitter but a smart all-around baseball player who plays a good outfield, possessing underrated athleticism and a strong arm.

Hamilton would be pricy, but the big contracts of Utley and Halladay come off the books after next season and the Phillies get to choose how they want to spend that money.

With a new big left-handed bat in the lineup, the Phillies could try to dump Ryan Howard and his huge contract. While it’d be difficult to find a team willing to take it on, crazier things have happened, especially if a team is making a playoff push and is in need of a guy like Howard.

The Phillies need to make a push for Hamilton. He would bring a big bat, fill a huge hole in the outfield and provide a general spark to a Phillies organization while re-instilling a little hope into the fan base.

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