Adding a solid third baseman to the Phillies roster this season is the #2 priority behind starting pitching at this point. Wes Helms is not your every day third baseman, and neither is Greg Dobbs for that matter. Nunez is gone so count your blessings there. Here are the potential candidates:
Alex Rodriguez (Yankees) - forget it. I’m not going to even bother analyzing this. If we get him (and there is probably a better chance of Garrett Reid NOT cooking up another line of black tar heroin), then we can celebrate at that point. Until then, get the spoon, the lighter, and the diseased needle ready.
Mike Lowell (Red Sox) - Career averages: .280, 23 HR, 97 RBIs, 80 runs, 57 walks. Probably the most attractive option, but I can’t see the Red Sox not retaining him after the season he just had or, more likely, the Yankees going after him hard core. The Yankees will be able to throw more money at him than the Phillies probably will, and they need someone to replace A-Rod. He’ll be 34 going into the season, but has expressed interest in playing in Citizens Bank Ballpark where he has thrived in his career. He was also a Phillies fan growing up. We could desperately use his right handed bat in the lineup and he gives us a decent defensive option. Should command at least $10 million a year for four years, but can he duplicate the season he just had? Chances of the Phillies signing him: less than 20%
Pedro Feliz (Giants) - Career averages: .258, 20 HR, 77 RBIs, 64 runs, 28 walks. A dark horse if there is any in the market, but not at all a top five option. Actually, if we sign this guy I may cover myself in army ants, chop off my penis, and jump off of the Walt Whitman bridge. Feliz bats right, will be 33 going into the season and has six years experience. Could definitely be available if the Giants pursue A-Rod like many think they will. Not an unbelievable hitter, but doesn’t strike out a lot and is a much improved defensive player in recent years. He is probably not a better option than anything we already have and could ride another team’s bench. Chances of the Phillies signing him: -10000%
Garrett Atkins (Rockies) - Career averages: .302, 22 HR, 109 RBIs, 89 runs, 65 walks. Atkins is essentially David Wright, minus the homosexuality. The Phillies would have to trade with the Rockies to get him, and I’m not so sure if that’s going to be a possibility considering their success this year. The Rockies have continued preliminary discussions with Atkins on a long-term contract, but are not close to an agreement. Problem for the Rockies is that even if he continues to develop, he probably won’t be with the Rockies for the entirety of his career because they have a guy named Ian Stewart currently earning his wings in the minors and will most likely be ready for Coors in less than two years time. Atkins is a right-handed hitter and is going to be 28 next season. He will command 10 million/year easily. Phillies chances of getting him: I have no fucking idea.
Hank Blaylock (Rangers) - Career averages: 273, 26 HR, 97 RBIs, 90 runs, 60 walks. This is the trade that seems to be the most realistic at this point. The issue with Blaylock has been his health. This past season he only played in 58 games because he had a RIB REMOVED at the beginning of the season, although when he came back he was still better than anyone we had at the position. He is only 27 and has above average career numbers, although he’d be another left handed bat in the lineup. He’ll most likely command $6-8 million/year when he becomes a free agent after the 2008 season, assuming he stays healthy and maintains his career stats. He is also a two-time all star.
So which way will they go? It’s gotta be Blaylock because I just can’t see the Rockies giving away what could be the best third basemen in the NL. He’ll command less in salary and we’d have to give up less to get him.
