Laynce Nix agrees to two-year deal
The Phillies signed free agent left fielder Laynce Nix to a two-year deal pending a physical. The contract is worth $2.5 million.Nix, 31, hit .250 with 16 homers, and 44 RBI's, in 124 games with the Nationals in 2011.
The signing of the eight year veteran most likely means that Phillies no longer have any interest in Michael Cuddyer, who they were reported to have been actively pursuing since the start of free agency. It also ends any consideration of bringing back Raul Ibanez.
Though nothing is confirmed, it seems likely that Nix, who is a left-handed bat, will platoon with John Mayberry Jr. based on the opposing pitcher on the given day.
Rollins situation gains more uncertainty
GM Ruben Amaro Jr. met with Jimmy Rollins' agent Dan Lozano to talk about negotiations for resigning the shortstop.
However, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, is reporting that the meeting did not go all that well.
Rollins is reportedly not budging on wanting a five-year deal, and the Phillies are not budging on giving him no more than three-years.
The Miami Marlin's recent signing of Jose Reyes probably does not help the situation. Reyes received six-years for $106 million.
Rollins is probably more dedicated to getting a five-year deal now, seeing that he knows what he might be able to get money wise.
Phillies pursuing Aramis Ramirez
This is related to the situation with J-Roll.
According to Phillies beat writer Todd Zolecki, the Phillies are seriously-pursuing free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez.
As of right now, it seems that the Phillies feel like they will not be able to resign Rollins, so they are starting to look elsewhere.
Zolecki mantains the fact that if signed, Ramirez would still play third base. Multiple sources are reporting that the organization is shopping current third baseman Placido Polanco, to free up room for Ramirez.
But if that is the case, then there is still a hole at shortstop. According to Zolecki, the Freddy Galvis era could be ushered in a little bit earlier than expected, or there is the option of signing Alex Gonzalez.
Ramirez, 33, hit .306, with 26 home runs, and 93 RBI's in 149 games last year for the Cubs.
Rollins, 33, hit .268, with 16 home runs, and 63 RBI's in 142 games for the Phillies in 2011.
Gonzalez, 34, hit .241, with 15 home runs, and 56 RBI's in 149 gmaes for the Braves last year.,
Galvis, the Phillies minor league player of the year, is hitting .238 in 122 at-bats in Venezuelan winter ball.
There would be a clear downgrade if the Phillies failed to resign Rollins, or bring in Ramirez. Especially with Galvis, who has yet to play at the Major League level.
Though things with Rollins do not seem good right now, Zolecki did write something encouraging.
"Of course, everything can change quickly. The deals for Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee in recent offseasons each died on several occasions before becoming official. The same could happen with Rollins. They might seem far apart Monday, but things could close quickly with a productive phone call later in the week."
You can read Zolecki's article on the Phillies website at: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111205&content_id=26093488&vkey=news_phi&c_id=phi
No comments:
Post a Comment