Should the Philadelphia Phillies Bring Back Ryan Madson?

The Philadelphia Phillies enter the offseason with their focus primarily on adding a center fielder, third baseman and corner outfielder.  However, adding a proven, right-handed reliever is just as important for improving the team for next season.

The Phillies used 19 different pitchers in a relief role this season, finishing with a combined ERA of 3.94.  Among right-handed pitchers who pitched in at least 15 games in relief, only Jonathan Papelbon and Phillippe Aumont had ERAs under 4.00.

It’s reasonable to think that the Phils’ bullpen will be improved next season simply because the young pitchers that make it up, such as Aumont, Jake Diekman, Justin De Fratus, Jeremy Horst and Josh Lindblom, will have another year of experience under their belt.

But that’s still a big assumption to make following a season in which the bullpen gave up 183 earned runs in 157 games played.

Having so many young pieces in place could cause the team to shy away from paying a reliever such as Mike Adams upwards of $5 million a season for three years, if not more following Brandon League’s three-year, $22.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  It could be difficult to give any veteran reliever a lengthy deal with so many young pitchers already on the roster.

Ideally, the Phillies could be looking to sign a veteran reliever to a one-year deal to give the team’s younger relievers more time to fully adapt to the big league level.

Ironically, a pitcher that the Phillies chose not to re-sign last offseason may be a candidate for filling such a role this offseason.

Ryan Madson signed with the Cincinnati Reds last offseason on a one-year, $8.5 million deal that also had a mutual option for 2013.  As Jon Heyman on CBSSports.com recently wrote, Madson has declined his portion of the option, making him a free agent for the second straight year.

Heyman’s article also mentions two other points.  One, the Phillies are thought to have interest in Madson and, two, the 32-year-old will be looking to fill a closer’s role this offseason.

While it’s uncertain whether the Phillies truly have interest in Madson, or have even contacted him since the start of free agency, what’s more certain is that Madson and the Phils could be an ideal fit for at least next season.

One of the Phillies’ biggest weaknesses this season was their lack of an eighth-inning setup pitcher to transition the game into Papelbon’s hands for the ninth inning.

Antonio Bastardo saw his ERA increase to 4.33, making his 2011 ERA of 2.64 the only time in his major league career that he has had an ERA under 4.30.  Lindblom, acquired in the trade that sent Shane Victorino to the Dodgers, had an ERA of 3.55, including a 5.68 ERA in August.  Aumont looked great at times, but his 3.68 ERA and 14 strikeouts to nine walks in 18 games likely isn’t enough to pencil him in as the setup guy just yet.

Madson, on the other hand, thrived as the Phillies’ setup reliever while with the team from 2002-2009.  Of course, Madson pitched in every type of role while with the Phils, from starter, to setup reliever, to closer during the 2011 season. 

The Phillies decided to sign Papelbon to be the team’s closer last offseason rather than pay Madson closer money in a long-term deal.  It wasn’t until late in the offseason that the Reds eventually signed him to be their closer and moved Aroldis Chapman into the starting rotation.

There are likely two reasons why Madson remained a free agent for so long: he was looking for closer money and he is represented by Scott Boras.  Yes, Madson saved 32 games in 34 chances in 2011 with the Phillies, but prior to that he only had one season in which he had more successfully converted saves than blown saves. 

Entering 2011, Madson had 20 career saves to go with 26 career blown saves.

With Boras looking for closer money for a pitcher with only one successful season as closer under his belt, Madson spent a great deal of time as a free agent.

Which team will be willing to give Madson a closer’s job this offseason after the pitcher missed all of this season following Tommy John surgery?

Ryan Lawrence on philly.com raises the following question: Why not sign with the Phillies on a one-year deal, the same amount of years that other teams are likely to offer, to return as the Phils’ setup reliever and re-establish himself?

The Phillies need a right-handed reliever who can set up and take over the eighth-inning role. 

Check. 

With so many young relievers having potential to fill out the bullpen over the next few seasons, the Phillies could be looking for a reliever who will sign on a short-term deal, giving the younger relievers another season to adjust while not having to pitch in high pressure situations. 

Check.

Paying a pitcher coming off injury to a one-year deal as opposed to signing an older veteran to a three-year deal influenced by League’s new contract could save the Phillies close to $20 million in total.

Madson, meanwhile, could prove his dominance once again in the eighth inning, and likely pick up around five to 10 saves on the season if the Phils have pitched Papelbon on consecutive days.

Signing Madson to a one-year deal worth $6 or $7 million would save the Phils payroll room in the two years to follow if they had instead decided to sign someone to a three-year deal, and it would allow them to focus even more so on improving the offense this offseason. 

It would also solidify the team’s bullpen without locking too much money up long-term on relievers, and still give the younger pitchers a chance to cement their relief roles going forward.

As for Madson, the opportunity to prove himself again while setting himself up to finally sign a long-term deal as a closer would be available by joining the Phillies.

Madson doesn’t need to settle for a setup role, and the Phillies don’t need to place a great deal of focus on the bullpen when the offense has holes.  But if they do talk this offseason, they could find that a contract agreement is beneficial for both sides.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Phillies Rumors: Latest Chatter Around Offseason Moves

If the Philadelphia Phillies thought this past season was rough, they’re about to have an even more difficult challenge ahead of them beginning on Saturday at 12:01 a.m.

After this time, all of the predictions surrounding which moves the Phils should make this offseason can give way to official transactions as the team builds toward the 2013 season.

But when a team’s offseason begins nearly a month sooner than many had hoped, there’s plenty of time to speculate as to which players will be targeted.

Judging by some of the names mentioned as possible targets for the Phils, maybe there’s been a little too much time for speculating.

Here is the latest chatter surrounding the Phillies’ offseason moves.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Bargain Outfield Trade Options

With the World Series winding down and free agency set to begin soon after, the Philadelphia Phillies will soon have their chance to improve a team whose offseason began far too early this year.

Unfortunately, no clear game plan exists for completing this task.

Will the Phils break the bank on a marquee free agent, or will they scan the market for under-the-radar signings that hopefully make a difference?  Should they use their depth at certain minor league positions to acquire help via trade?  Which players from this season did enough to allow the Phils to stand pat at their position?

By trading Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence and Joe Blanton mid-season, and by declining options on players such as Placido Polanco, Ty Wigginton and Jose Contreras, the Phils will have money to spend and flexibility for trade acquisitions this offseason.

But why spend money just to spend money?

General manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. has said that they must be creative this offseason, as an article by John Gonzalez on CSNPhilly.com mentions.  This means that Michael Bourn, B.J. Upton and Nick Swisher may not be the only outfielders that the team targets, although they will likely be the most expensive.

The trade market, on the other hand, could be where the Phils find one of their 2013 outfielders, and one who will not cause the team’s payroll to skyrocket after just one acquisition.

Here are five bargain trade options that the Phillies could explore this offseason.

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A Potential Replacement for Every Aging Philadelphia Phillies Star

Professional sports are one of the few jobs in which a person’s career is nearly over by the time they reach their mid-30’s.

For the Philadelphia Phillies, this means that the progression of the next batch of stars must be well underway.

Although the average age of the team’s 40-man roster is 28.5, nearly every one of the Phils’ current starts will be 33 years or older by the start of next season.  These players still have the chance to have several more productive seasons, but are “aging” stars rather than “bright young prospects.”

A number of these aging stars have spent considerable time on the disabled list while battling injuries, making it even more important for the Phils to be grooming potential replacements to take over during the next few seasons.

Some of these potential replacements have already made their major league debuts, while others have yet to play above High-A ball.  Regardless of the level they’ve reached so far, each of these players are seemingly in line to be the team’s internal option for one day taking over for a current star.

Here is a potential replacement for every aging Phillies’ star.

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Philadelphia Phillies’ Free Agency: Updated Targets & Rumors

With the Philadelphia Phillies officially eliminated from playoff contention, the team must now fully turn their attention to the upcoming offseason and creating a game plan that gets them back atop the National League East standings as soon as possible.

That’s easier said than done.

The Phillies entered this season with the highest payroll in the NL, and were able to shed what was left of the salaries of Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence and Joe Blanton through non-waiver and waiver wire deals.

The team will also gain back flexibility if players such as Placido Polanco, Ty Wigginton and Jose Contreras are bought out.

How will the team’s roster look next season?  Which current players are being included in long-term plans?  Which positions will the team focus on through free agency, trades or both?

Here are the latest targets and rumors for the Phillies as they head into the offseason.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Impact of Chase Utley Staying at 2B

It appears as if the Philadelphia Phillies might not have an internal candidate to take over at third base next season after all.

According to an article by Jim Salisbury on CSNPhilly.com, general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. and the Phils have decided that second baseman Chase Utley will not play third base in the team’s final games of this season, and a move to the position next season doesn’t look likely.  Amaro said:

After further review, we think this makes sense.  He’s doing well over there.  But in retrospect, we think it would be difficult to make an assessment on watching him play six games.  We’re not good enough scouts to make an assessment on six games.

David Murphy wrote on philly.com last month of Utley’s talking to Amaro about playing third base, and the five-time All-Star had been taking ground balls at the position during the season’s final weeks.

If Utley moved over to third base, Freddy Galvis could have been a candidate to start at second base again next season, with Kevin Frandsen providing depth off the bench.

However, with Utley likely staying at second base next season, the final year of his contract, the Phillies’ 2013 infield is no longer guaranteed to feature players already on the roster.

As Salisbury’s article mentions, both Frandsen and Galvis will see time at third base during spring training, and a player may be acquired this offseason to take over at the position.

Potential free-agent third basemen include Kevin Youkilis, Brandon Inge and Maicer Izturis, while a player such as Chase Headley may be available on the trade market.

This grouping of available third basemen likely played a large role in the Phils’ decision to at least test Utley out at the position prior to games.  For a position typically held by power hitters, only five qualified National League third basemen currently have at least 20 home runs and a batting average of at least .280.

Despite missing a considerable amount of time during the first half of the season, once again due to injury, Utley has bounced back to bat .262 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI in 78 games.

Moving Utley to third base would not have come without its share of risks, such as his ability to throw runners out from across the field after spending his first nine major league seasons playing second base. 

Furthermore, the Phillies would likely have then used Galvis at second base, who batted .226 in 58 games before missing the rest of the season due to a back injury and suspension.

But where does Galvis play now?

As previously mentioned, Galvis could play third base during spring training while competing with Frandsen and any other offseason acquisitions.  But he would not bring the power that other third basemen have previously had to the position.

What if the Phillies acquire a third baseman during the offseason?  The team would then have their infield set and no starting spot open for Galvis, who started at second base this season and was seemingly in line to start at the position again next season prior to the recent news relating to Utley.

Should the team be concerned that Galvis’ back injury could turn into a recurring injury?

As for the Phillies as a whole, third base could have been scratched off the team’s offseason wish list in terms of areas in need of big improvement if Utley had made the switch.

However, third base is now once again an area that needs to be addressed, in addition to the outfield and bullpen. 

The Phils could have used any available payroll to go after one or two outfielders and another bullpen addition, stayed near the luxury tax threshold or at least under the $189 million mark for next season and avoided potentially having to offer more prospects in a deal for a third baseman.

If Utley comes to spring training healthy and plays next season the way he has since returning this year, the Phillies will once again have one of the best offensive second basemen in the NL.  Utley’s 11 home runs this season ranks seventh in the league.

Utley’s offensive production will greatly benefit the Phils next season, regardless of which position he plays.  However, the decision to keep him at second base, for the time being, firmly creates another position that needs to be addressed this offseason.

If Galvis can improve his offense and handle third base, or Frandsen is able to play better consistently on defense, the Phillies’ infield could still require little spending this offseason.

Having Utley on that infield on Opening Day is what’s most important.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Free Agency: Looking at the Phillies’ Financial Situation Heading into Offseason

The Philadelphia Phillies’ late season resurgence has been a double-edged sword for both the team and fans.

Each win improved the team’s standing in the National League wild card race and gave fans the same feeling that they’ve grown accustomed to in September in recent years. However, each loss also served as a reminder of the team’s poor play during the first half of the season that put them behind in the standings in the first place.

The Phillies, like many teams, will have holes to fill following the season. But a strong finish combined with possible internal adjustments could alter the to-do list once the offseason starts.

The Phils put themselves in a position to avoid paying the luxury tax by trading Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence prior to the non-waiver trade deadline, and Joe Blanton in August.

However, the team is also set to pay players such as Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Carlos Ruiz increased salaries next season.

Where does that put the Phillies’ payroll at as the offseason starts? Is the team willing to exceed the $178 million luxury tax threshold? Can they even address all of their needs through free agency, or will trades need to be considered?

The Phils will have options to run through once the offseason begins as they try to make next season more reminiscent of recent seasons, and push this season well into the rear-view mirror.

Before any wheeling and dealing begins, here is what the Phillies’ financial situation looks like heading into the offseason.

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Is Phillies’ Amazing Run Enough Proof to Keep the Roster Intact for 2013?

Remember just a few weeks ago when the Philadelphia Phillies traded two-thirds of their starting outfield, were 10 games under .500 and 12 games back in the National League wild card standings?

Well, since the start of August, the Phils have played a lot more like the team that has found themselves in the playoff race each of the past five seasons.

Whether or not the late season resurgence will extend the team’s postseason streak remains to be seen. But that’s not the only thing that is now uncertain following the Phillies’ 28-17 record since the first of August.

Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence and Joe Blanton were seemingly the first names on what was to be a lengthy list of players whom the Phillies would end up trading by the start of next season. 

Instead, will a late season surge be enough to convince general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. and the rest of the Phils’ front office to keep the roster intact for 2013?

The Phillies may never have been on the verge of heading into full rebuilding mode this offseason no matter how poor the team’s play was at times during the first half. But in order to even re-tool, payroll flexibility would be crucial. Three outfield spots, third base and a bullpen spot or two are all up for grabs for next season, with a majority likely to be filled externally.

What better way to free up payroll then to trade a player whose current contract could potentially pay him over $100 million over the next four seasons?

 

As Jon Heyman on CBSSports.com reported following the non-waiver trade deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed Cliff Lee and based off of their eventual mega-deal with the Boston Red Sox, would have been willing to take on all of Lee’s salary if both the pitcher and the Phillies had consented.

Lee’s name had been mentioned in trade rumors leading up to the trade deadline, as shown by a tweet from Buster Olney, and his name was likely to appear in talks again during the offseason unless the Phillies managed a second half turnaround.

Well, here we are.

One of the biggest reasons for the Phils’ recent success has been the solid performances turned in by their pitching staff, and Lee is no exception.

After going 1-5 with a 3.98 ERA prior to the All-Star break, Lee has gone 5-2 with a 2.53 ERA in the second half.

Phillies’ starters are now tied for fifth in the National League in ERA, and lead the league in strikeouts.

With Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels still in the fold, and a number of starting pitching prospects gradually progressing through the minor leagues, starting pitching was the one area where it seemed the Phillies could deal due to depth.

 

However, the Phils’ recent surge has shown that pitching is still the backbone of the team, and that a rotation featuring Halladay, Hamels and Lee is still capable of leading the squad.

Has Lee and the Phillies’ recent success been enough to resist trading the former Cy Young winner this offseason?

What about Jimmy Rollins?

Few teams would be willing to take on Rollins’ contract, but the Phillies could still have been leaning towards paying a portion of the shortstop’s contract in order to free up the position and the leadoff spot in the batting order. Another tweet by Buster Olney said that the Phillies were at least offering Rollins to teams at the non-waiver deadline.

This season has seen Rollins post numbers that are the lowest of his career in certain areas, and consistent with his career averages in others.

His 90 strikeouts and .314 OBP are not what the Phillies are looking for from their leadoff hitter, while his 21 home runs, 62 RBI and .333 batting average so far in September have helped raise his average on the season to .253.

Although this average is well below his career average, Rollins still has the highest WAR value among NL shortstops with at least 250 plate appearances, according to fangraphs.com.

Furthermore, as John Gonzalez recently wrote on CSNPhilly.com, Chase Utley could be moving to third base in the near future. If the move worked out, Freddy Galvis could then play second base next season. Who would take over at shortstop then, if the Phillies traded Rollins?

 

If Rollins continues to improve, would the Phillies even offer him again this offseason in hopes of splitting his salary with another team?

The Phils‘ bullpen is another area that has slowly, very slowly, begun changing their reputation during the late season run.

After scattering disastrous performances throughout the first half of the season, the bullpen has lowered their ERA to 3.86 on the season, good enough for eighth in the NL. The Phils even have six relievers who currently have an ERA lower than 2.08 in September.

While one or two additions should still be on the to-do list this offseason, a majority of younger pitchers have now pitched themselves into contention for a spot in the 2013 bullpen.

When a team has another deep postseason run as their goal at the start of the season, and must adjust this goal to simply having a .500 record by the halfway point, few players can be considered sure bets to return to the team next season.

However, deciding against pressing the detonate button has paid off for the Phils as they try to continue with their late season run.

But has the run been enough to re-tool primarily through additions during the offseason rather than through subtractions?

The Phillies still clearly need improvements this offseason in order to make another postseason run more of a guarantee. However, this just might take place through current players improving their performances, rather than sending them on their way to new teams.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Did We Overestimate the Philadelphia Phillies Heading into 2012?

The Philadelphia Phillies have gone 33-21 in the second half of the season. It’s only four wins fewer than their total prior to the All-Star break, but well off the pace of 94 wins by this time last season.

All things considered, does the Phillies’ recent string of success match what we should have expected this season? 

Was a season like last year’s actually a possibility?

Back-to-back 102-win seasons may have been a best-case scenario, and a 37-50 record at the All-Star break might have seemed laughable. 

Since the latter has taken place, however, the Phillies have been winning with more consistency. 

Are they also winning at a pace on par with where expectations should have been, heading into this season?

The Phillies’ historic season last year didn’t end the way they had hoped, and few signs pointed towards improvement at the start of this season, especially considering the injuries to two key players.

The 2011 Phillies finished the regular season batting .248 as a team from September until the start of the postseason. The team then batted .226 in five postseason games to conclude the season. That’s a .237 team average combined from September until their final playoff game.

Shouldn’t expectations have been tempered, then, when the Phillies began the season with Chase Utley and Ryan Howard on the disabled list? 

The Phillies decided against adding any major offensive pieces to their lineup last offseason, with Ty Wigginton and Laynce Nix being their biggest acquisitions.

With a healthy team only able to bat .237 to close out the prior season and two stars missing at the start of the next season—not to mention the players Wigginton, Freddy Galvis and an unproven John Mayberry, Jr. now in the starting lineup—the chances of improving on offense were slim for the Phillies at the start of the season.

However, now that Utley and Howard have been back for nearly two months, the Phillies have begun winning with more consistency. 

A winning percentage over .600 during the past two months doesn’t give the Phillies the same win total as last season, but it is likely closer to how the team should have played this season (considering all of their injuries).

And considering how they played prior to the All-Star break, the Phillies’ recent ways have also brought back a feeling that has been familiar around this time each of the past five seasons.

As for the pitching, should we have expected that a bullpen featuring young, inexperienced pitchers wouldn’t experience their share of growing pains as the season progressed?

Phillies’ relievers had a 4.42 combined ERA for the month of July. In the last 30 days, however, only two relievers currently on the roster have an ERA over 3.55. 

As for the starters, what were the chances of the rotation matching the 2.86 ERA that they posted last season?

Few could have expected Cliff Lee to go so long in between wins, or that Kyle Kendrick and Tyler Cloyd would be cemented in the rotation by September. But an increase in team ERA combined with an injury to one of the starters was not out of the question prior to the start of the season.

Yes, it’s easy to look back and analyze, and hindsight is 20/20. The team’s performances in recent seasons gave observers every reason to have high expectations.

However, the rest of the NL East couldn’t have been expected to wait around and allow the Phillies to remain in contention until Utley, Howard and even Roy Halladay returned from injuries.

Even if the Phillies had started the season with a healthy roster, the chances of them running away with the NL East again were slim. However, having a lead at the top of the division would still have been within reach.

If the Phillies had played the entire season the way they are playing now, they likely would be competing with the Atlanta Braves for second place in the NL East and first place in the NL Wild Card standing. 

Not quite the same level of dominance that the past seasons have produced, but still competitive in a tough division.

The Phillies have created high expectations for themselves during each of the past few seasons, and this season was no different. 

Few teams, however, could have remained dominant while missing key pieces and also while counting on an inexperienced bullpen.

The original expectations for this season were not met. If, however, the expectations were to be met even through the injuries suffered during the first half of the season, and the team were to have a respectable finish following a much stronger second half, then those expectations would have been right on the mark.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

5 Options for Philadelphia Phillies If They Don’t Re-Sign Carlos Ruiz

Besides a higher frequency of strong showings in the second half, the main bright spot for the Philadelphia Phillies this season has been All-Star catcher Carlos Ruiz.

Of course, in what essentially serves as a representation of this season for the Phils, “Chooch” has spent time on the disabled list just like many other key contributors.

But Ruiz’s future with the Phillies is not as crystal clear as that of some other members.

For one, Ruiz has a $5 million option that the team must decide to exercise for next season, or pay a $500,000 buyout.  After having a career season prior to suffering from plantar fasciitis, there’s little chance that the team would pass on exercising this option.

However, this option will only pay Ruiz through next season.  What happens after 2013?  What kind of contract would the Phillies offer to a then 35-year-old catcher whose injury history may or may not have been lengthened by that point?  What kind of competition will the Phils have from other teams attempting to sign Ruiz?  Would the Phillies even offer Ruiz another contract?

If Ruiz has another season next year like the one he did this year, the team could have few other choices than to try and sign him past next season. 

But with internal options available in the form of minor league catchers who are rising through the ranks, and both high- and low-cost free agents potentially on the market at that point, the team will also have options should they decide to go in a different direction.

Here are five options for the Phillies if they don’t re-sign Ruiz after next season.

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