Originally posted Dec. 2, 2009 at 11:38 pm.
Over the past few hours, things may have gotten rather hot and heavy with Placido Polanco and the Phillies. ESPN’s Jayson Stark, along with Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, both say that the Phils may be turning their attention to Polanco on a two-year deal worth between $10-12 million.
Polanco has played mostly second base during his career, but apparently is willing to move to the other side of the diamond to play in Philadelphia once again.
UPDATE (10:25 am): In the last 15 minutes or so, Jon Heyman of SI has tweeted that a deal should be finalized today with Polanco. The numbers: three-years, $18 million. Polanco would bat second and Victorino would move to a run producing spot in the order.
UPDATE (10:51 am): Here is what ESPN’s Keith Law wrote about the possible signing of Polanco:
“Ruben Amaro’s fetish as a GM seems to be giving three-year contracts to hitters in decline; Raul Ibanez’ deal isn’t looking so hot after his second-half swoon, and now he’s about to give Placido Polanco three years as well. Polanco’s defense at second is already diminishing as his body slows down, but the Phillies are going to ask him to move to a position where quickness is more important than pure range. His bat is also in decline and he’s moving to a position with a higher offensive standard, although the guy he’s replacing was no great shakes with the stick himself. Six million a year isn’t much for a player who’ll probably be worth around two wins over replacement, but by the midpoint of this deal it could look very bad for the Phillies.”
UPDATE (2:00 pm): It’s official. The Phillies and Polanco agree to a three-year, $18 million deal.
Latest Comments