Philadelphia Phillies’ 5 Biggest Offseason Disappointments

It’s difficult to label any aspect of the Philadelphia Phillies’ offseason as a disappointment, seeing as how the season hasn’t started yet and no results have been produced on the field.

But that doesn’t mean that certain moments and decisions were not disappointing on paper this offseason.

While there’s a chance that a double platoon at the corner outfield spots will be successful, there’s also a chance that the Phillies could regret not having landed a veteran free agent to fill the need.

On the trade front, should the Phillies have held on to Trevor May rather than causing their minor league system to continue to thin, especially with Buster Olney tweeting that Justin Upton is back on the trade market?

And a team will usually be disappointed to find out that it won’t have its best hitter from last season for the first 25 games of the following year.

These areas may only seem disappointing until the regular season begins and performances can change things.  However, these areas, on paper, have led to some disappointment this offseason, regardless of how long the feeling will last.

Here are the five biggest offseason disappointments for the Phillies.

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5 Things the Phillies Can Do to Optimize Their Transition Plan in 2013

The Philadelphia Phillies have made a list of moves this offseason, but the chances of any of these transactions single-handedly improving the team next season are slim.

Instead, the additions of Ben Revere, Michael Young, Mike Adams and John Lannan will have the biggest impacts if players such as Chase Utley, Roy Halladay and Ryan Howard return healthy next season.

But what about after next season?

Matt Gelb on philly.com recently wrote that this offseason, with its uncharacteristic low-key moves under general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., could signal that 2013 will be a transition year for the Phillies.

Three-fifths of the starting rotation, as well as Carlos Ruiz, Chase Utley, Michael Young and even manager Charlie Manuel, are entering what is (or will likely be) the last or only years of their contracts.

The good news is that the Phillies have a good amount of minor league talent that could be ready just in time to step up and fill in any potential voids left by these players.

The bad news is that these prospects must still have solid 2013 seasons, and even then it is still no guarantee that their success will translate to the major league level.

Nevertheless, the Phillies will be in an interesting situation as they try to return to their 2007-2011 form next season while keeping an eye toward the future.

Here are five things the Phillies can do to optimize their transition plan in 2013.

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5 Phillies Non-Roster Invitees Who Could Get Long Looks in Spring Training

The Philadelphia Phillies took their time addressing their needs this offseason, but they have managed to acquire four players whose roles are already defined heading into next season.

Ben Revere is set to take over in center field, while third base belongs to Michael Young, as long as he can remain healthy while playing regularly in the field for the first time since 2010.  As for the pitching staff, the newly acquired John Lannan will have the inside track on the fifth spot in the rotation, while Mike Adams joins Jonathan Papelbon in giving the Phils an experienced back end to their bullpen.

But what about the rest of the roster?

Although the infield and starting rotation are either set or include few other alternatives, the rest of the roster features players who will be competing for roster spots and playing time during spring training.

And they won’t be competing simply against those players already on the 40-man roster. 

The Phillies currently have nine players who have been named as non-roster invitees to spring training.  Some of these players have played for the Phils in recent seasons, while others were signed this offseason. 

This list includes players who could receive extra attention during spring training as players with either an outside shot at winning a final roster spot or being sent to Triple-A until a call-up is needed during the regular season.  Looking at the Phils‘ current roster, it becomes clear that reserve infielder, bullpen and outfield spots are all up for grabs.

Here are five players who could get long looks by the Phils as non-roster invitees in spring training.

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5 Decisions the Phillies Will Have to Make Before Spring Training

The Philadelphia Phillies entered the offseason with a handful of questions that needed answering and have managed to address nearly all of them while keeping their payroll at a reasonable level.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was able to address the team’s needs at third base and center field through the trade market, and found an eighth inning reliever and fifth starter for the rotation through free agency.

However, these moves, and lack thereof, have led to a new set of questions heading into spring training.

By having not yet acquired another corner outfielder, and preferably someone who bats from the right side, the Phillies currently have only one starter in their outfield set in stone for next season.  Are the Phillies comfortable heading to spring training with the corner outfielders currently on the roster as their only options?

By trading for Michael Young from the Texas Rangers, the Phillies were able to strengthen their bench by moving Kevin Frandsen into a reserve role.  But where will Freddy Galvis now start the season?

Are Michael Martinez and Pete Orr really the best candidates for the reserve infielder roles?

These are some of the questions that the Phillies now face as the offseason continues and rosters further take shape.  However, unlike those questions that will be answered once the season starts, such as whether or not Chase Utley can remain healthy for a full 162 game schedule, the new set of questions represent decisions that must be made much sooner.

Once spring training begins, an offseason’s worth of strategizing will culminate in a battle for 25 roster spots, but the key pieces must be put in place beforehand.

Here are five decisions that the Phillies will have to make before spring training.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Bold Phillies Predictions for the Next 3 Years

The Philadelphia Phillies decision not to sign any players to long-term free agent deals this offseason shows that the team is relying on its current core to bounce back and have a healthy 2013 season.

The Phillies could’ve offered more money for B.J. Upton, offered Kevin Youkilis a multi-year deal or waited around for Michael Bourn’s decision.  Instead, the Phils turned to either younger players, or players who could be acquired on short-term deals, in order to give themselves flexibility going forward.

Regardless of whom the team acquires this offseason, their best chances for improving are contingent on players such as Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Roy Halladay coming back strong from injuries and having seasons closer to their career norms.

Of course, that’s a big gamble to take.

Having these three players healthy could go a long way in determining next season’s level of success, but what about future seasons?  The Phillies are currently set to enter next season with Halladay, Utley, Carlos Ruiz and even manager Charlie Manuel in the last years of their respective contracts. 

Combine the expiring contracts with the health status of current players, and the job of general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. over the next few seasons will be far from easy. 

Here are five bold predictions for the Phillies over the next three years as they work through various options while trying to keep a perennial contender on the field.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Top Fallback Outfield Options Following Recent Signings

The offseason may not have gotten off to the kind of start that the Philadelphia Phillies thought it would when free agency began last month.

However, general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. has still managed to do the unthinkable. In an offseason full of numerous options, despite none being guaranteed to pay off, Amaro has managed to acquire two inexpensive players, giving the Phillies even more options as the offseason continues.

Ben Revere gives the Phils a young center fielder that is under team control through the 2017 season, while Michael Young provides experience for at least one season at third base.

Combined, the two players will likely cost the Phillies under $7 million next season.

With two needs filled, the Phillies still have plenty of payroll flexibility to acquire a pitcher for the eighth inning, or even a starter to take Vance Worley’s spot in the rotation.

However, another outfielder is still needed to improve a lineup that could still use an infusion of youth, power or stability.

Although players such as B.J. Upton, Angel Pagan and Shane Victorino have signed free-agent deals, a handful of outfielders at the corner spots still remain as options for the Phils, who still have money to spend if they so choose.

Here are five fallback outfield options that the Phillies can still sign as the offseason continues.

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Philadelphia Phillies: How Well Did Ruben Amaro Jr. Do at the Winter Meetings?

After nearly 72 hours at the Winter Meetings, Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. filled at least one item on the team’s offseason to-do list.

No, it wasn’t B.J. Upton, Michael Bourn or Angel Pagan that Amaro acquired.

Instead, it was former Minnesota Twins outfielder Ben Revere who was brought in to take over center field, as Jim Salisbury on CSNPhilly.com wrote yesterday afternoon.

If Revere was acquired by the Phillies to fill their need in center field for 2013, surely he must be a right-handed batter with plenty of power, right?

Not quite.

Not only was Revere seemingly behind many free agent outfielders as targets for the Phils, he wasn’t even the Twins’ top outfielder on the trade block at the beginning of the offseason.

However, after spending recent offseasons targeting the top available free agents (even those on the trade block) and showing little concern for payroll or prospects, Amaro has taken a different route this offseason.

And he has done well.

Given the Phillies habit for spending in recent seasons, one would have to imagine that they easily could have matched, if not exceeded, the Atlanta Braves offer for Upton.  However, according to a tweet by Mark Bowman, the Phillies decided to offer nearly $20 million less than what the Braves offered.

For a player who has batted .241, .237, .243 and .246 in each of the past four seasons, the Phillies made an offer that was much closer to what Upton’s value is, and decided not to overpay simply for the sake of filling a need.

The Phillies could have taken the $55 million they were offering to Upton and used it to lure Angel Pagan away from the San Francisco Giants.  However, Pagan decided to re-sign with the team, according to an article on ESPN.com, for four years and $40 million.

That’s an AAV of $10 million for a player who at this time last year was part of a trade involving Andres Torres, who batted .230 this season.

Amaro could have also turned back to Shane Victorino, but would have likely had to outbid the Boston Red Sox who, according to an article by Gordon Edes on ESPN.com, will receive $39 million for three years. 

That’s an AAV of $13 million for a player who had one of the worst seasons of his major league career this season, while making just $9 million.

After a season like the one the Phillies had this year, it’s questionable as to how attractive the team currently is from a free agent perspective.  However, if this were not an issue and dollar amounts were all that mattered, Amaro likely could have signed any one of these players to take over center field in 2013.

Instead, he acquired a 24-year-old center fielder that made less than $500,000 this season, and who is not eligible for free agency until after the 2017 season.

Revere lacks power, as he has yet to hit a home run in his major league career, but that didn’t stop him from batting .294 with 150 hits, 40 stolen bases and just 54 strikeouts in 511 at-bats this season.

Yes, he’s a left-handed batter, but he batted .314 against left-handed pitchers this season.  He also batted .284 against right-handers.

Although he will take over center field for the Phillies, Revere primarily played right field for the Twins this season.  Among American League right fielders with a minimum of 700 innings, Revere had the second-best UZR, according to fangraphs.com.

Yes, the Phillies gave up Vance Worley and Trevor May in order to acquire Revere.  Worley’s inclusion in a trade for a player such as Revere is understandable, while May’s inclusion may be a bit surprising. 

However, the Phillies have survived their major trades in recent seasons involving high-ranking prospects without many reaching the big leagues and finding success.

May has not had an ERA under 3.50 in the minor leagues in a season since 2009.  Furthermore, May first pitched in the Phillies system in 2008.  After five years, the highest level that he reached was Double-A, and likely would have started back at the level in 2013.

May could have been used in a trade package for a player with a bit more power or who fit another need, but the Phillies have now shown that a young player not even eligible for arbitration yet does not come cheap.

Amaro has tended towards the flashy, big name acquisitions in recent offseasons, and there is still plenty of time for him to make another one this year.  However, he deserves credit for keeping his hands in his pockets while players such as Upton, Pagan and Victorino received big offers.

Amaro was also able to put the Phillies on the doorstep for acquiring Michael Young from the Texas Rangers, according to a tweet by Jim Salisbury.  If Young decides to waive his 10-5 rights, the Phillies would have another third baseman to throw into the mix with Kevin Frandsen and Freddy Galvis. 

According to another article by Salisbury on CSNPhilly.com, the Rangers may pay over half of Young’s salary for this season. 

At that point, the Phillies would have a player who batted .338 just one season ago to play third base this season for between $6-8 million. 

Not too bad.

Throw in the acquisition of outfielder Ender Inciarte who, according to Steve Adams on mlbtraderumors.com, the Phils selected in the Rule 5 Draft from the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Amaro used the final day of the Winter Meetings to finally start adding to the 2013 roster and give the team another player who can use spring training to earn a roster spot.

These transactions and possible transactions don’t match the typical moves made by Amaro in recent offseasons. But the fact that the team has yet to spend significant payroll this offseason means that the possibility still exists for a larger move.  The Phillies may need this flexibility as well, since third base, another outfielder and a pitcher for the eighth-inning are all still needed as of now.

For the time being, however, Amaro has taken a different approach to the offseason beginning with his moves, and lack thereof, at the Winter Meetings.

And he’s done it well.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Quick Trades to Fix Weaknesses of Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies could soon see their offseason plan begin to take shape, as Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes that free agent B.J. Upton would like to make a decision on where he will sign this week.

The Phillies have their share of weaknesses to improve this offseason, such as the outfield, third base and the bullpen, but they are not the only team looking to fix these areas.

If the team misses out on Upton, it will have to compete with a number of teams for fewer available outfielders.  If the team is able to sign one of this offseason’s top free agents, it could look to find quick, low-cost fixes that improve the roster in other areas while not causing the payroll to skyrocket.

Once a larger number of free agents begin signing, the Phillies will need to have their contingency plans in place and ready to go, and some options could include making quick trades before the market thins.

None of these players would be considered flashy acquisitions, but combined with a few expensive free-agent signings, these trades could be the best options for filling the remaining needs.

Here are five players that the Phillies could target in quick trades that would fix the team’s weaknesses heading into next season.

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12 Dream Free Agent Pickups for Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies saw two free agent outfielders sign with new teams last week, leaving their list of available options a little lighter but still lengthy nonetheless.

However, with all of these options, the Phils will also be competing with multiple teams both in signing players and in setting the market at various positions.

The Phillies are also in a different situation this offseason.  Yes, they still have money to spend and have pieces already in place, but this is also their first offseason following a regular season that ended without a trip to the postseason since 2006.

Ideally, the Phillies will be able to convince their top targets that they can return to the playoffs quickly, and that salary demands are not a problem.

Of course, this won’t be the case with every free agent, but there are enough options available that give the Phils a chance to turn things around next season with the right signings.

Here are 12 dream free agent pickups for the Phillies who, although they cannot sign every player on this list, can still fill big-time needs heading into next season.

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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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