After a disappointing 2012 season for the Phillies, all implications lead to filling in the missing pieces through free agency. While there are big names (and big prices) in this year's free agent class, many believe the Phillies will target players that will have an immediate impact without the nine figure contracts.
The three biggest holes that the Phillies must address include the outfield, relief pitching, and third base. In the outfield, there are a number of options that would make sense for Philadelphia, but whether or not the Phillies would be willing to dish out the high salary contracts is yet to be determined.
The first priority and arguably the largest need for the Phillies is an outfielder, or possibly two. After shipping Shane Victorino to the Dodgers and Hunter Pence to the Giants at the trade deadline, the Phillies relied on younger, less dependent options. Currently, the available outfielders include John Mayberry Jr., Dominic Brown, Darin Ruf, Nate Schierholtz, and Laynce Nix. Potential free agent options for the Phillies include:
1. Josh Hamilton - Hamilton would make a ton of sense for the Phillies. He hits for power, bats for average, and has averaged 122 RBI per 162 games played over his career. Hamilton also fills the Phillies biggest void in outfield, as he occupied center field with Texas. The only problem for Philadelphia is money. As Hamilton is the top free agent target in 2012, he is sure to ask a price tag that could send Ruben Amaro and company the other way.
2. Michael Bourn - Bourn is another guy that would fit in with the Phillies very well. With the departure of Victorino in July, the Phillies lost speed, contact, and occasional power, which is exactly what Bourn will bring to whatever team he signs with. Many have said the Phillies have been targeting him, but due to the demand for his talent, his price may have risen after posting a .274 batting average with 42 stolen bases in 2012.
3. B.J. Upton - Maybe the guy that would make the most sense for the Phillies with the direction that they are heading. Indications of late imply that the Phillies are not looking to add another high salary contract and Upton is sure to receive a middle of the way deal. Upton posted a .246 batting average, 28 home runs and 31 stolen bases while playing center field for the Rays in 2012.
Other outfield possibilities: Melky Cabrera, Torii Hunter, Nick Swisher, Angel Pagan, Shane Victorino, Ryan Ludwick, Cody Ross.
The second issue that Phillies must address is the bullpen. In 2012, the Phillies bullpen was unreliable throughout the entire season. Other than Jonathan Papelbon at the closer position, the Phillies bullpen could use a complete makeover. Realizing that this is impossible, there are a few free agent relievers that would make sense to bolster one of the league's worst bullpens in 2012. Possible options include:
1. Jeremy Affeldt - Affeldt would be a great set up man for Papelbon in the eighth. A dominating left hander with one of the game's hardest breaking sliders would bolster a Phillies bullpen that lacked consistency in 2012. Affeldt posted a 1-2 record with a 2.70 ERA en route to the Giants second World Series Championship in three years.
2. Mike Adams - In 2011, the Phillies were considering Adams in a trade with San Diego, but the right handed reliever was snagged by the Rangers before the deadline. Now, the reliever could also be a plausible set up man to Papelbon as Adams posted a 5-3 record with a 3.27 ERA with Texas.
3. Ryan Madson - Madson is a guy that could interest the Phillies for a number of reasons. Of course, he has been with the organization so the team would not be worried about him fitting in. He is also a low risk, high reward guy if the Phillies could get him on an incentive based deal. The only thing holding the Phillies and other clubs back is that Madson is coming off of Tommy John's surgery after missing the entire 2012 season with the Reds.
Other relief pitching possibilities: Jose Valverde, Francisco Rodriguez, Jonathan Broxton, Jason Grilli, Matt Capps, Sean Burnett, Brandon League.
The final piece missing in the 2013 Phillies puzzle is third base. After a season shared between Placido Polanco, Freddy Galvis, and Kevin Frandsen, the Phillies may elect to grab a free agent, trade for a third basemen, or stay content with Galvis and Frandsen sharing time. Possible free agent options include:
1. Kevin Youkilis - A career .283 hitter, Youkilis could be a fit with the Phillies as he is a right handed bat that would not cost an arm and a leg. Youkilis is coming off a statistically poor season for his standards, as he posted a .235 batting average with 19 home runs and 60 RBI with the Red Sox and White Sox.
2. Eric Chavez - Chavez would fit in with the Phillies financially, but I do not see the Phillies in strong pursuit of an aging left handed bat. Chavez posted a .281 batting average with 16 homeruns in 2012 for the Yankees, which may be another reason for the Yankees to retain him with the uncertainty surrounding Alex Rodriguez.
3. Scott Rolen - Not the guy many Phillies fans would expect to see, but he is the third best option on the third base free agent market. Rolen left the Phillies on bad terms nearly ten years ago, and his age, ability, and declining numbers are likely to hold the Phillies back. But, if the price is right and the waters are dry, Rolen could end up in red pinstripes once again.
Other third base possibilities: Drew Sutton, Miguel Cairo, Brandon Inge, Mark DeRosa.
While the Phillies may be able to obtain some holes through free agency, there is no telling whether or not the Phillies would be able to make a splash for Mets' third baseman David Wright or even Yankees' third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Wright would be the ideal fit for the Phillies at third, but whether or not the Mets would be willing to give him up to a divisional opponent is the question, as well as to whether or not the Phillies could afford another $16 million dollar contract.
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