Citing Philadelphia’s payroll flexibility after dumping Bobby Abreu (and quite probably planning on dumping Pat Burrell), the New York Times’ Ben Shpigel predicts the Phillies will “augment an already impressive lineup by adding a right-handed power hitter to balance a left-leaning lineup.”
They have shown interest in three of the best on the market ” Aramis RamÃrez (above), Gary Sheffield and Alfonso Soriano ” with each fortifying a deficiency in the field as well.
The Phillies need a third baseman to complete an All-Star infield of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins, and the 28-year-old RamÃrez, an excellent run producer and solid defensive player, fits the bill.
On Monday, RamÃrez, who hit 38 home runs and drove in 119 runs for the Chicago Cubs last season, became a free agent when he opted out of the four-year, $42 million contract he signed in 2005. His decision does not guarantee that he will leave the Cubs, who own exclusive negotiating rights with him through Nov. 11, but he is expected to consider several other teams, including the Phillies, the Los Angeles Angels and the Los Angeles Dodgers, before deciding.
RamÃrez is also perhaps the one player available who could replace Alex Rodriguez at third base if the Yankees change their minds and decide to trade him this off-season. He would also fit in nicely in Boston, as protection for David Ortiz, if the Red Sox deal outfielder Manny RamÃrez.
A lower-cost alternative may be Sheffield, who is perturbed that the Yankees intend to exercise their $13 million option for next season and then trade him. Sheffield would rather sign a multiyear deal as a free agent .
If the Phillies acquired Sheffield, they would be, considering the Abreu deal in July, essentially swapping right fielders. It may not take more than a pitcher like Ryan Madson, who could be used as a starter or a reliever, or a midlevel prospect or two to obtain Sheffield.
The Phillies are set at second base with Utley, so they would be interested in Soriano as a corner outfielder and only, perhaps, if they can free up some salary by persuading Pat Burrell to waive his no-trade clause.
Its going to be an interesting off-season for Phillies fans. #1 imperative is a right handed power bat to provide Ryan Howard the protection he could not get from Pat Burrell. A middle-order tandem of Howard/Soriano/Utley would be fearsome. However, I dont think Pat Gillick is going to offer Soriano the reported 7 year contract that Sori is looking for and even if the asking price comes down, I’m hunching that perhaps the Angels will be more free-wheeling with the $$$. My personal preference would be Aramis Ramirez as jettisoning Pat Burrell is going to be a hard sell. Salary will have to be eaten and some GM is going to have toss the dice that Burrell is a “needs a change of scenery” player rather than “Jeromy Burnitz who can draw walks”. With Ramirez, the Phillies can address two issues with one move (3rd base and Howard protection) and if Burrell cant be moved, there is a hope that his awful situationals for 2006 was an abberation and that he can be a very productive 6 hole batter. The worst case scenario would be Gary Sheffield. Very risky as far as injury and is he going to be an angry unhappy presence in the clubhouse even with all the “uncles” on the coaching staff? Not worth the risk for even a one year stop-gap.
This is the first time I’ve ever seen Ramirez referred to as a “solid defensive player.” And it’s beyond me how anyone could take a gamble on Sheffield, who’s an attitude risk under the best of circumstances and (as Chuck points out) will arrive pissed off unless someone deigns to reward him with a 3-4 year extension. I’d far rather roll the dice with Burrell, even if he badly needs out of Philly.