The Philadelphia Phillies are intensifying their pursuit of
free agent outfielder Cody Ross, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Sources: #Phillies intensifying pursuit of Cody Ross. Other teams also being more aggressive. #Mariners among those that have shown interest
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 15, 2012
The Seattle Mariners are among the other teams that are showing
interest in Ross, notes Rosenthal. He adds that the other teams targeting Ross
are also “being more aggressive” at this point.
The Phillies have filled other areas of need, including
center fielder, the starting rotation and bullpen, by trading for Ben Revere
and signing right-hander Mike Adams and left-hander John Lannan. They now
appear to have turned their attention back to the outfield. So far this
offseason Philadelphia has targeted Ross, Nick Swisher and Josh Hamilton, who
recently signed with the Los Angeles Angels.
Now that Hamilton’s off the market, the other free agent
outfielders figure to find their landing spots for 2013 and beyond. Ross is
expected to command a three-year contract, while it may take four-plus to sign
Swisher.
Following the signings yesterday, Matt Gelb of the
Philadelphia Inquirer calculates that the Phillies have approximately $7
million in average annual salary remaining in their budget this offseason if
they plan on holding at the $178 million mark general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.
set earlier this month.
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Next year the Luxury Tax is going to be going up to $189,000,000 so I believe the Phillies can go a little higher in Average Annual Value (AAV)and take a one year penalty. Also if we are so worried about money how come were giving an on and off John Lannan 2.5-5 million next year? I say deal Dom to the Cubs for Soriano (with 26MM out of 36MM taken off contract) and then with last few million dollars sign another bullpen pitcher because I don't think Adams/Paps is enough. Put Ruf in right Soriano in Left JMJ on bench along with Nix both of whom can play either OF or 1B if Howard or any outfielders need break,is slumping, or is injured.
ReplyDelete2013 Lineup
Rollins
Young
Utley
Howard
Soriano
Ruf
Revere
Kratz
Pitcher
or when Ruiz comes back
Rollins
Young
Utley
Howard
Soriano
Ruiz
Revere
Ruf
Pitcher
Looks like a decent roster. But injuries killed the Phils in 2012. They are still relatively old and more susceptible to injuries even with your suggested roster.
ReplyDeleteRuf can barely play left, so putting him in right is not an option.
ReplyDeleteWould you rather put Soriano in Right? I don't think we can afford Ross if we get a good bullpen pitcher to round off the pen. Ross probably get 3 yr./24MM. Soriano would be our only option for a cheap power righty OF unless you look at Wells. I don't like the idea of Wells cuz he'd be about the same as Soriano but not nearly as good. Maybe Trumbo but he'd cost to much
ReplyDelete