MLB Trade Rumors: What Is Going to Happen with Shane Victorino?
July 15, 2012 by Zak Schmoll
Filed under Fan News
Shane Victorino is in a precarious position right now with the Philadelphia Phillies.
According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Phillies have put an extremely high price tag on the switch-hitting center fielder. Since he is not having an amazing year, that high price might very well scare away potential suitors.
However, on the flip side, according to a report by Jon Heyman from CBSSports on July 8, the Phillies have not been very aggressive about bringing back the “Flyin’ Hawaiian” next season.
Therefore, what is going to happen to him?
The Phillies’ trade demands will probably drop as the deadline draws nearer. This type of thing happens every year, and teams finally realize that if they want to get a trade done, compromises have to be made.
For Victorino, a trade might be the better scenario. He needs to go somewhere else and have a strong second half. If the Phillies are truly not interested in bringing him back after this season, perhaps another team would be able to offer him an extension before he enters the free-agent market.
That is why I feel his position is precarious. There are a lot of major league outfielders who will be on the market this winter, including Josh Hamilton, Michael Bourn, B.J. Upton and Torii Hunter.
With a plethora of strong options, Victorino will obviously not be coming off as strong of a year as some of these others. Any team that will want to sign an outfielder will have plenty of choices, and that could drive down everyone’s paycheck.
I like Shane Victorino a lot, and I really don’t want him to leave Philadelphia. However, from a career perspective, it may be better for him to find some place where he might be able to stick long term with a nice extension and not have to mess around in such a busy market this winter.
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