Wow, there is just nothing going on. Honestly. Nothing.
It's been ten days since the Phillies hit the transaction wire with anything
and that was just to offer arbitration to Jason Michaels and Brett Myers and cut
Endy Chavez loose. That was an imposed deadline, so that shouldn't really even
count in the "making news department". Not only is the transaction wire quiet,
there aren't even rumors coming out of the Phillies' Citizens Bank Park offices
or elsewhere for that matter. There was some speculation about the Phillies
getting in on the Miguel Tejada bidding, but that was just completely ridiculous
and died a quick, quiet death.
For the record, the Phillies are talking with Michaels and Myers about deals
that would avoid arbitration. Again, nothing.
So, with tons of nothing to work with, let's see if we can read some tea
leaves and find out what could hit the wires in the days and weeks between the
beginning of 2006 and the arrival of players for Spring Training. Again, this is
just conjecture. If any of it is actually a fact, we'll let you know.
The Blue Jays got Troy Glaus from Arizona. You might think that ends their
search for a power hitter. Not necessarily. The Jays now have a bit of a glut
when it comes to third base / first base type players. Their 40 man roster has
Glaus, Eric Hinske, Shea Hillenbrand and Corey Koskie. Plus, there's Lyle Overbay to play first. Hmmm.... The Phillies might have interest in someone who
could play both first and third. Someone who could handle right-handers would be
of help in spelling David Bell, although Abraham Nunez reportedly has that job
and someone who can handle left-handers could find some time spelling Ryan Howard. Let's sniff around, shall we?
Hillenbrand could be the odd man out. He can play both first and third and
hits lefties at a cool .325 clip while he hits righties at a .279 clip (at least
those were his 2005 numbers.) He's not a great defensive third baseman, but
again, Nunez could handle most of the filling in duties there. Hillenbrand has
just 7 pinch-hit appearances over the last three seasons and it's not likely
that he's ready to accept a part-time role without at least a little bit of a
fight and some potential unhappiness. Koskie doesn't hit left-handed hitters
well (just .223 over the last three seasons), hasn't played first base and also
isn't used to a utility role, so he doesn't fit. Hinske played 100 games at
first base last season - his first season on that side of the diamond - and of
course, has a lot of experience at third base. Defensively, he was pretty
surprising at first, with a .993 fielding percentage and he can still hold his
own at third. He hits left-handers and right-handers at about the same clip, but
he too, is not used to pinch-hitting. Overbay is a left-handed hitting first
baseman, so he's not of interest.
That leaves Glaus. He's owed $32.5 million over the next three seasons with
an $11.25 million player option for 2009. Ouch! He would likely fit well into
the lineup as an everyday third baseman, but the money is just too much - at
least on the surface. Well, lookey here. Pat Burrell is owed $36.5 million over
the next three years with no option on 2009. That would mean that over the next
three seasons, the Phillies owe Burrell $4 million more than the Jays owe Glaus.
Put that money toward 2009 and Glaus would effectively cost the Phillies just
$7.25 million in the final year, if he exercised the player option (and he would
likely be stupid not to). That makes things look much more palatable, but keep
in mind that Glaus received a no-trade clause as part of his agreement to come
to Toronto, but that could likely be overcome. The Blue Jays need a corner
outfielder and could escape that 2009 big bucks option. Plus, their deal with
Arizona hasn't been exactly an overwhelming success with the fans and media in
Toronto, so it could help there as well. Would Toronto do Glaus for Burrell
straight up? Maybe, maybe not, but it's a starting point at least.
Josh Fogg and a couple of other non-tender pitchers are still sitting out
there. Maybe the Phillies will look in that direction. I'm still wondering why
they aren't beating down the door to Tampa Bay and looking to swing a deal for
Danys Baez. The Mets are doing all they can to get Baez and the Phillies should
be, too. He's a good, young reliever and the Phillies definitely need help at
the back end of their bullpen. Yes, you could risk a closer controversy between
Gordon - the stated choice for the job - and Baez, but that's workable. Baez
only makes $4 million for 2006 and is a free agent after that. It's a short-term
investment unless something happens and the Phillies decide to sign him
long-term. Worst case is that the Phillies offer him arbitration, he accepts and
comes back for another year. Or, he could decline and the Phillies get a primo
draft pick if they can't sign him. Plus, he's an awesome insurance policy on the
38 year old Gordon's arm and ability to close games. Get the guy!
While you've got the D-Rays attention, ask about Aubrey Huff, too. He plays
left, right, first and third and is owed $6.75 million for 2006 and is a free
agent after that. Same scenario as Baez on potential compensation and
re-signing, except that third base becomes a crap shoot after 2006 because
Bell's contract is up and there have been numerous trade scenarios including
Burrell or Bobby Abreu. Huff gives you a quality player who could step in at
four positions and someone to step in if you find the right deal for one of the
corner outfielders. Plus, he hits about the same against righties and lefties,
with a little more power against right-handers. A little pricey as a super-sub,
but with the flexibility that he gives you, the Phillies should be interested in
Huff.
So, there you have it. Not that any of these things will happen or will even
be talked about, but at least it's something. If nothing else, it gives
something to ponder as we count down the hours to 2006.