Phillies Offseason Thread 12-13

[ice grillin you]

would it even be a surprise if myers wasnt in the league next year

[MDS]

he wasnt bad last year, but im not sure how many teams are dying for him to be their 3rd or 4th guy out of the pen

theres only so much you can put up with for what you get in return

[PhillyPhreak54]

If the likes of Chad Qualls and other of his zesty ilk can still find gainful employment then you can bet your bird that Myers will have a job.

[ice grillin you]

im not saying he will be out of the league...just saying it wouldnt be surprising at all if he was

[SD]

Rollins won his 4 gold glove

easy out

[PhillyPhreak54]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/10/2013-top-50-free-agents-with-predictions-1.html

3.  Michael Bourn - Nationals.  The speedy Bourn plays strong center field defense and gets on base just enough.  The free agent market generally rewards power, but these days Bourn's skillset is appreciated as well.  Bourn has long been speculated as the heir apparent to the Nationals' center field job, and the team's comfort with agent Scott Boras doesn't hurt.  Still, this match is far from a lock if we're talking Torii Hunter 2007 money.  I don't expect the Braves to re-sign Bourn, but the Phillies are another potential match

5.  B.J. Upton - Phillies.  Upton's best offensive season was 2007, when the Rays employed Steve Henderson as their hitting coach.  Henderson now fills that role for the Phillies, which has to be a plus for the center fielder.  Playing on the East Coast might also appeal to Upton, who hails from Norfolk.  From the Phillies' point of view, Upton could add some balance and power to their lineup as well as strong center field defense.  At 28 there's room for growth with Upton, but the status quo would probably give a team their money's worth.  The Nationals and Rangers could be other contenders for his services.

12.  Shane Victorino - Braves.  Victorino must re-establish his reputation as an above-average outfielder, after an off-year hitting right-handed pitching.  I imagine Victorino will be open to all three outfield positions, which would create a wide market potentially including the Braves, Rangers, Nationals, Giants, Orioles, Red Sox, Yankees, Rays, Blue Jays, and Tigers, and if the price is low enough, Reds and Mets.  He's a strong Plan B in the likely event the Braves are outbid for Bourn, but if the bidding reaches three guaranteed years on Victorino I can see some teams dropping out.

18.  Melky Cabrera - Red Sox.  Cabrera, disgraced this year by a 50-game PED suspension and cover-up attempt, could settle for an affordable one-year deal to prove he can provide drug-free offense. The Red Sox will likely be thinking short-term in free agency this offseason, with the most question marks in recent memory.  The Orioles, Mets, Phillies, and Mariners are other possible fits, but any team signing Melky will have to brace for a certain amount of media scrutiny as a tradeoff for the bargain contract.

20.  Torii Hunter - Yankees.  I reported last week that the Angels are highly unlikely to re-sign Hunter.  That doesn't close the door completely, but he'll explore the market and probably won't have draft pick compensation attached.  A one-year deal is possible, so the Yankees could add him as Nick Swisher's replacement without a long-term commitment.  The Rangers, Orioles, and Phillies could be other possibilities.

27.  Kevin Youkilis - Phillies.  Youkilis' numbers have been trending downward, but the third base market is terrible and he could still secure a multiyear deal.  The Phillies have the need, though signing both Upton and Youk would put them near their limit.  The Orioles, Dodgers, and Indians are other options if the White Sox don't re-sign Youkilis.

42.  Mike Adams - Phillies.  The Phillies probably cannot afford all the players I've picked for them, but on an individual level Adams makes sense.  The 34-year-old has been a dominant setup man, though he had surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome this month.  Adams expects to be 100% by Spring Training, though there is some risk he won't be

Also predicts Madson to the Tigers and Blanton to the Twins

[MDS]

youk is a farging waste

i like jeff kippinger as a good stopgap until whats his face is ready.

keppinger-upton-madson/adams. get those 3 and they maybe they get the 2nd wild card provided hallaDONE isnt truly DONE

[Don Ho]

Agreed on Youkilis.  No thank you.

[Rome]

Get Youk!

[Geowhizzer]

Mr. Youk

[PhillyPhreak54]

http://www.crossingbroad.com/2012/11/in-a-lawsuit-former-phils-batting-practice-pitcher-claims-he-was-defamed-by-ruben-amaro.html

[SunMo]

jesus christ that blog is horrible.  first 2 sentences and i'm out.  that dude is the epitome of douche

[Rome]

Amazing how quickly the Phillies went from being a feel great story to yesterday's sordid news.

[MDS]

lol jayson werth and davey lopes are his character witnesses

this stupid towel head

[BigEd76]

Reading's new nickname is gonna be the "Fightins"