MLB Free Agency 2013: Phillies Have Not Offered Josh Hamilton 3-Year, $80M Deal

******UPDATE (2:38 p.m.):*********

According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, their story on Josh Hamilton being offered a contract by the Phillies was based on a fake source.

 

The Hamilton/Philly reports all sprung out of a fake Jon Heyman account (my fake account is much cooler). Our website was duped. Apologies.

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) December 12, 2012

 

 

The fake Jon Heyman Twitter account strikes again.

If you go to the link for the story on the Dallas Morning News site, it has been taken down.

My apologies to any Philly fan who might have gotten their hopes up based off the story or the other one that was published earlier this morning.

And so, we wait some more on where Hamilton signs this winter.

********************************

For the second time in three years, the Rangers may lose a top player to the City of Brotherly Love.

According to Gerry Fraley of The Dallas Morning News, the Phillies have offered free agent slugger Josh Hamilton a three-year deal for $80 million.

CBS Sports in Philly also confirmed the offer, basing it off the story from The Dallas Morning News.

Hamilton hit .285 with 43 home runs and 128 RBI in 2012 with the Texas Rangers.

He won the 2010 AL Most Valuable Player Award and finished fifth in the 2012 AL MVP Award voting.

The Phillies just acquired Hamilton’s former teammate Michael Young, plus the Phillies have another one of his former Texas teammates in Cliff Lee, who was on the Rangers in 2010.

This would be the second winter in three years where the Phillies quietly crept into free agent negotiations and snagged the top player on the market.

Back in December 2010, the Phillies got Cliff Lee after the Yankees and Rangers were negotiating with him all winter.

In fact, it’s almost two years to the day in which the Phillies made the five-year deal with Lee.

The Phillies also recently acquired Twins center fielder Ben Revere, so Philly could put Hamilton in left or right field along with Domonic Brown.

A lot of teams have been skeptical on signing Hamilton because of his past with drugs and alcohol, plus the fact that he is 31 years old, but a three-year offer would only lock Hamilton up until age 34.

The story from the Dallas newspaper said the deal could be done as soon as Wednesday night, so Philadelphia might actually land Hamilton within the next few hours.

Stay tuned, fans.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Updated Predictions for the Philadelphia Phillies 2013 Opening Day Roster

Coming into the 2013 offseason, we knew that the Philadelphia Phillies‘ Opening Day roster for the upcoming season would look drastically different than it did in 2012, for a number of different reasons. Some players are healthy, and others are no longer with the club. 

The Phillies haven’t even finished adding to their product yet and, already, we get the sense that they are going to be better, stronger and healthier. That should go a long way in erasing the most disappointing season in recent history from memory. 

Pitchers and catchers still won’t report to Clearwater, Florida for more than two months from now, but we already have an idea of what this club will look like. The following slideshow will update what the Phillies could look like on Opening Day in April. 

I will be factoring in players on the roster, recent additions the club has made and predictions for players that I believe the Phillies could still add. 

Begin Slideshow

Why the Philadelphia Phillies Should Not Pursue Alfonso Soriano

The Philadelphia Phillies still need a corner outfielder and Alfonso Soriano is not the answer.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports reported the Phillies have potentially discussed a deal with the Chicago Cubs sending Soriano to Philly in return for youngster Domonic Brown.

While the Phillies do need some right-handed pop in their lineup, this would be a step in the wrong direction.

The club recently traded for another aging veteran, Michael Young, who will serve as the Phillies’ everyday third baseman. In that case, shipping out youth for experience made sense. Young struggled last season, but he is an instant upgrade for the Phillies. The free agent market was limited at third and high-profile trades were nearly impossible to execute. Essentially, Young will serve as a stop-gap for prospect Cody Asche.

But the Phillies need to get younger and trading for Soriano is not the way to do that.

Now Soriano was productive last season and still might have some gas left in his tank, but trading away potential years of service out of Domonic Brown is not a wise investment. Even if the Cubs eat most of his salary, the Phils need to run from this deal.

Yes, Brown is unproven and fans are tired of waiting for him to live up to his potential, but trading him for another right-handed power hitter with league-leading strike out potential would be a mistake. The Phillies should give Brown a shot, or keep him and sign Cody Ross, Nick Swisher or Josh Hamilton.  Then let Brown and Darin Ruf battle for the remaining starting spot.

Soriano is also injury-prone and if the Phillies lose him during the season—the club will have no legitimate reserve player for the position. Jon Mayberry Jr. will have to fill the void, and not many want this scenario.

The Phillies have made some exciting moves this offseason, bringing in both youth and experience, but the club’s next moves must be smart and accurate. The team does not have to settle for its current needs, but concentrate on promising players for years to come with low risk.

Soriano’s enjoyed a very nice Major League career but it should not continue in Philadelphia.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Things Charlie Manuel Should Do to Save His Job

Charlie Manuel‘s Baseball Reference managerial page tells you a lot more about him than his career wins and losses at the helm of the Cleveland Indians and the Philadelphia Phillies.

He has 947 major-league managerial wins. Barring a midseason firing in 2013, he will get to 1,000 in a Phillies uniform.

In seven prior seasons as the Phillies’ manager, he had never won fewer than 85 games in a season. That is, until the 2012 Phillies staggered to 81-81.

He enters the 2013 season as a lame duck whose most recent contract extension will run out at the end of the season. Seeing this, the Phillies already seem to have his heir apparent, Ryne Sandberg, training on the job in the coming year.

Given that Manuel left the Indians in 2002 under strained contractual circumstances, that may not bode well for his job prospects in Philadelphia beyond 2013.

But what jumps off the page of statistics depicting Charlie Manuel’s managerial career is his birthdate. Manuel will turn 69 on January 4, 2013. Does he even really need this aggravation any more?

The Phillies’ 2013 results will almost certainly dictate whether the club gives Manuel another contract extension or decides to change course.

If Manuel wants to stay, though, there are some things he really needs to do as soon as possible.

Begin Slideshow

Phillies Rumors: Fact or Fiction on All the Hottest Rumors in Philadelphia

If this offseason has taught us anything, it’s that baseball is unpredictable. 

From the moment the regular season ended, the Philadelphia Phillies had a clear set of needs. In the post-Shane Victorino era, they needed a center fielder and were favorites to land a free agent from among names like Michael Bourn, Angel Pagan and Josh Hamilton. 

Didn’t happen. 

Instead, the Phillies refused to overpay for a big name free agent and waited the market out, finally striking an eleventh hour trade with the Minnesota Twins to acquire outfielder Ben Revere in exchange for pitchers Vance Worley and Trevor May.

With their center field situation solved (and for cheap), the Phillies then turned their attention to adding a setup man, an affordable starting pitcher, a third baseman and a corner outfielder. While Michael Young appears to be in the Phillies’ future, this is a club that still has some work to do. 

Now that the Phillies have a few dollars to spend, the rumor mill is churning in full force once again. Who are some of the players that could legitimately wind up in Philadelphia? Which rumors are completely fabricated? Only one way to find out.

Begin Slideshow

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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Why Phillies’ Second Half and Recent Acquisitions Show They Can Win in 2013

The 2012 Philadelphia Phillies had their worst record (37-50) at the All-Star break since the 1997 Phillies. What many fans don’t realize is that without Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence and Joe Blanton, the Phillies were able to finish the season with a record of 44-31, which correlates to a .586 winning percentage.

During the Phillies’ second half, they also saw Vance Worley hit the disabled list in late August and Roy Halladay pitch as a shell of what he has been for the Phillies in the past. 

Chase Utley and Ryan Howard were both back in the everyday lineup, but everyone watching them knew they were not playing close to 100 percent, leaving even more room for the team to improve in 2013.

On a positive note, one player who helped the Phillies turn it around in the second half was Kyle Kendrick. When Kendrick became a fixture in the starting rotation in August, he finished the month with a record of 4-1 and a 2.95 ERA. He completed the season with a career-high 116 strikeouts.

The second half of 2012 also gave us a small glimpse into Darin Ruf, who could potentially take the reins in left field and bring the 2013 Phillies a much-needed power bat from the right side. In Ruf’s 33 major league at-bats he hit .333 with three home runs, 10 RBI and an OPS of 1.079. 

So what does all this mean?

If the Phillies can play the type of quality baseball they played in the second half of 2012 throughout the entire 2013 season, get their core players healthy and receive solid contributions from the recently acquired Ben Revere and Michael Young, not only can they compete for a playoff berth in 2013, but they can challenge the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals to retake the NL East title.

With their holes at third base and center field filled—at a very cheap rate I might add—the Phillies should have enough cash to go after a quality corner outfielder or starting pitcher and still bring in some bullpen help.

Revere is said to play excellent defense and brings a true leadoff hitter to Philadelphia. He has the potential to swipe more than 40 bags and hit .300 in a season. Plus, he will turn just 25 in May, giving the Phillies some much-needed youth. The Phillies’ starting outfield in 2013 could potentially not have one player over the age of 26 when the season begins in April with Ruf, Domonic Brown and Revere.

Bringing Michael Young in to play third base is huge for the Phillies. He is a career .300 hitter who has won a Gold Glove and is a true veteran. Young played games and first base, second base, third base and shortstop in 2012. He also gives the Phillies some right-handed balance to a lefty-heavy lineup. 

The Phillies will also be looking to add some starting pitching depth with the departure of Vance Worley in the Ben Revere deal. A guy like Kyle Lohse would look great in a Phillies uniform.

2013 is beginning to look very promising for Phillies fans. With one or two more moves the Phillies should have the depth to seriously contend for a title in 2013.     

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

5 Reasons the Michael Young Trade Won’t Help the Phillies Win the NL East

As young and talented as the Washington Nationals are, there’s probably not a single trade the Phillies can make to give them a chance to win the NL East in 2013.

Compared to Placido Polanco, anything has to be an upgrade for the Philadelphia Phillies at third base, but we’re not sure Michael Young would even rank as that.

The Phillies and Texas Rangers have agreed to a trade that will send Young to Philadelphia to be the Phillies’ third baseman.

This just shows how thin teams are at third base.

The Indians and Yankees are fighting over an over-the-hill Kevin Youkilis. Scott Rolen has been in the league far too long and may finally be done. Career nomad Jeff Keppinger scored a three-year deal to play third for Tampa if (when) Evan Longoria gets hurt again.

So it may just be a sign of the times—teams can no longer rely on free agency to fill major holes in their roster. Or at least they shouldn’t.

Here are five reasons why the Young trade will not put the Phillies in contention in 2013.

Begin Slideshow

Philadelphia Phillies: Should the Club Target Hitters or Pitchers?

The Philadelphia Phillies have garnered mixed reviews from fans and experts regarding their offseason moves.

As the Baseball Winter Meetings come to an end, the Phillies are still left with unanswered questions.

Let’s review the latest offseason moves.

The Phillies sent starting pitcher Vance Worley and minor-league pitcher Trevor May to the Minnesota Twins for the young center fielder Ben Revere. I doubt anyone saw this move coming.

Also, according to Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas, the Phils and Texas Rangers have a deal in place for the aging, yet versatile Michael Young—pending approval from the crafty veteran.

These two moves by Ruben Amaro Jr. are polar opposites.

One suggests that the team is saving money and investing for the future of the organization, while the other hints that the team is holding on to a “World Series or Bust” mentality.

Or maybe Amaro is simply trying to achieve both.

Whatever the case may be, the team is not ready to accomplish its main priority—win a championship.

The Phillies still lack a power hitter at a corner outfield spot, and are now down a starting pitcher.

So what are the Phillies’ next moves? Or to elaborate, will it take pitching or hitting to win?

When the Phillies won the World Series in 2008, the team was ranked sixth in overall team pitching (based on ERA) and seventh in team batting (based on OPS), per ESPN.com. It’s nice to be in the upper echelon of both major categories.

In 2009, the club lost the World Series, but was ranked eighth in team pitching and sixth in batting, per ESPN.com. The two stats held parity, and were in the upper tier of the league, resulting in the club’s World Series contention.

Now, let’s look at last season. The Phillies ranked 11th in team pitching, with a respectable 3.83 ERA, and the team batting dropped to 16th, per ESPN.com. These middle of the road statistics will not cut it for the team, or for the fans.

If the Michael Young deal holds true, the Phillies will have answered questions about center field and third base.

Both Revere and Young have the potential to increase team batting stats and score runs for starting pitchers—a crucial problem last season. Additionally, both come relatively inexpensive.

The Phillies now need to find another starting pitcher and setup man. This should be the club’s main priority. Starters such as Joe Saunders, Jair Jurrjens or Shaun Marcum are still available, just to name a few.

Philadelphia currently has three solid starters—who are quite possibly the best threesome in the league—but will need a fourth. Kyle Kendrick can sufficiently serve as a fifth starter.

The club also has the need for a quality setup man. While the Phillies did attempt to acquire Wilton Lopez early in the offseason, the trade was soon squashed. Suitable relief pitchers are available via trade or the free-agent market, and the Phillies should act now.

Defense and pitching win championships. This ideal has remained through many years, and will forever remain a constant in baseball.  

The Phillies are setting up their offensive roster, whether you favor the moves or not.

Adding some key arms in 2013 will increase Philadelphia’s chances of another championship run.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

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

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