A Very Early Look at Potential Philadelphia Phillies 2014 Free Agent Targets

Phillies fans do not know whether this year’s team has one final playoff push in it, but one thing is absolutely certain: This core group of players will largely be gone after 2013.

Of course, Ryan Howard and his enormous contract are not going anywhere. Neither probably is Cole Hamels, as long as he is getting paid over $20 million a year to lose five games for every one he wins.

After those two, though, there is uncertainty for the Phillies around the diamond.

Jimmy Rollins has one year left on his present contract, but he could be a useful piece for a contender if the Phillies fall out of the race this summer.

Cliff Lee and Jonathan Papelbon have longer deals in place, but then they are still premium players at their respective positions and they could be moved.

The contracts of Chase Utley, Roy Halladay, Carlos Ruiz and Michael Young are all up after 2013. It is tough to foresee any of them, even franchise poster boy Utley, coming back next season.

This sort of upheaval can be terrifying for fans, but the undeniable benefit to the likely departures of so many expensive, over-the-hill players is the free agent money that their absence from the payroll will free up.

So, without meaning to bury the 2013 Phillies before the coroner does the autopsy, here is a look at potential free agents the Phillies may have interest in this winter.

Begin Slideshow