In the time since the Phillies won the World Series in 2008, many new names and faces have come and gone. But five regulars from the starting lineup remain: Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz and Shane Victorino.
Victorino realizes this, and with free agency looming, clearly wants to stay with a team he's helped win a world championship, two NL pennants and five straight National League East titles.
On the day he reported to camp, Victorino told the Delaware County Daily Times: "I don't plan on going anywhere."
He clarified that comment on ESPN.com during the first full week of workouts in Clearwater, Florida.
"What that statement was saying was that I'm willing to give up free agency," Victorino said. "A lot of guys won't. In the game of baseball, free agency is what every major league player dreams of. You want to maximize your value, and of course I do, too.
"But what's important to me is, I want to be here. I love playing here. My family loves the city. I love the city. So when I made that statement, that's what I meant."
Victorino did even more clarifying later in the week, when it became clear that he might be open to a home-town discount to stay in Philadelphia. He told MLB.com that he's looking for a five-year deal.
"I'd like five years, yeah," Victorino said. "Why wouldn't I? I signed for three (on my last contract). Why wouldn't I want the next one to be longer?"
On the open market, Victorino might look for a deal similar to the five-year, $60 million contract his predecessor in Philadelphia, Aaron Rowand, signed with the San Francisco Giants before the 2008 season.
In the time since taking over from Rowand, Victorino has won three Gold Gloves and has appeared in two All-Star games.
Whether he hits the open market remains a fair question, since, all things considered, he would prefer to strike a deal with the Phillies.
"I look at it this way," Victorino told MLB.com. "If it's a significant difference, I have to weigh my options more than anything. I obviously love to play in Philly. They gave me my opportunity. They made me who I am. In that regard, that sits in the back of my mind.
"But I also understand there's a window in this game. I would like to play until I'm 50, 60 years old. Who wouldn't? But age and time comes into play. When I say I don't want to go anywhere, yeah, I call this home. I want to finish my career here. I won't say I won't take a hometown discount, but I also will say I want to maximize my opportunity with not only what I've accomplished as an individual, but as part of a team."
Shane Victorino's career stats
| Year |
Team |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
BB |
SO |
BA |
OBP |
SLG |
| 2003 |
San
Diego |
36 |
73 |
8 |
11 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
7 |
7 |
17 |
.151 |
.232 |
.178 |
| 2005 |
Philadelphia |
21 |
17 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
.294 |
.263 |
.647 |
| 2006 |
Philadelphia |
153 |
415 |
70 |
119 |
19 |
8 |
6 |
46 |
4 |
24 |
54 |
.287 |
.346 |
.414 |
| 2007 |
Philadelphia |
131 |
456 |
78 |
128 |
23 |
3 |
12 |
46 |
37 |
37 |
62 |
.281 |
.347 |
.423 |
| 2008 |
Philadelphia |
146 |
570 |
102 |
167 |
30 |
8 |
14 |
58 |
36 |
45 |
69 |
.293 |
.352 |
.447 |
| 2009 |
Philadelphia |
156 |
620 |
102 |
181 |
39 |
13 |
10 |
62 |
25 |
60 |
71 |
.292 |
.358 |
.445 |
| 2010 |
Philadelphia |
147 |
587 |
84 |
152 |
26 |
10 |
18 |
69 |
34 |
53 |
79 |
.259 |
.327 |
.429 |
| 2011 |
Philadelphia |
132 |
519 |
95 |
145 |
27 |
16 |
17 |
61 |
19 |
55 |
63 |
.279 |
.355 |
.491 |
| 8 Yrs |
922 |
3257 |
544 |
908 |
166 |
58 |
79 |
354 |
162 |
281 |
418 |
.279 |
.344 |
.438 |