The 2011 season has come to a close, and free agency will start on Thursday. Here are the off-season problems that the Phillies will have to face over the winter.
Free Agents: Shortstop Jimmy Rollins and closer Ryan Madson are the big free agents. There is also smaller names on the list like Roy Oswalt, Brad Lidge, and Ross Gload.
Rollins wants five years and he has already said he will not be giving any home time discount, which puts the Phillies in a very tough spot.
Ryan Madson's status with Philadelphia is not much better. Madson is looking for the big pay check, and with Scott Boras as his agent, it would not be surprising if he finds it elsewhere. Washington is a rumored team, seeing as reports were made that Jayson Werth (a former Phil who also went for the money) is trying to sell Madson on joining him in Washington.
The Phillies denied the options on the contracts of both Brad Lidge and Roy Oswalt. The club denied their options primarily for the money they would be owed if they were kept for the 2012 season. Ruben Amaro Jr. has expressed interest in bringing them back next season, so it is possible that one or possibly both can return to the team with contracts that are more affordable for the Phillies.
Ross Gload probably won't be on the Phillies next season. Gload is still suffering from a bad hip, and he has refused to get surgery on it due to the risks that come with the surgery. Gload will most likely find other ways to treat his hip. Again, it isn't likely that Amaro will bring him back, but it still does not mean a return will be ruled out entirley.
Arbitration: Cole Hamels is eligible for arbitration, getting him a new deal will most likely be the Phillies top priority, especially after Hamels finished the season with a 14-9 record and a 2.79 ERA.
In the postseason, Hamels turned in a solid outing against the Cardinals that ended in a 3-2 win for the Phillies.
Third Base: Placido Polanco has been struggling with injuries since he rejoined the Phillies for the 2010 season. In 2010, Polanco had an elbow injury that bothered him for much of the second half of the season. In 2011, Polanco had a sports hernia. He played through it, but there were times where he had to sit out to avoid aggravating the injury. If the rumors that the Phillies are looking to upgrade at third base are true, then there are two very good options out there. David Wright is a name that has been tossed around, but the Mets would likely want a lot for him, especially if he is going to be traded within the division. The other interesting name out there is Michael Cuddyer. This year for Minnesota, Cuddyer played games at first, second, and left field. It would not be difficult for the Phillies coaching staff to turn him into a third baseman, should the team offer him a good deal. Cuddyer is also a fairly good hitter and can add more consistency along with Hunter Pence to the lineup, which is something that has plagued the team's hitting for the past two years.Left Field: Raul Ibanez will not be re-signed, so the Phillies need a replacement in left. Again, Michael Cuddyer is a very good player to fill the spot. John Mayberry Jr. is also a candidate for the left fielder's job. Mayberry played in 104 games in 2011, and finished the year with a .273 average, 15 home runs, and 49 RBI's. There are questions about whether or not Mayberry can be an everyday player, but based off of what has been seen of Mayberry this year, he appears to be more than capable of getting the job done.
First Base: Ryan Howard tore his achillies, and right now, it is uncertain if he will be ready to start the 2012 season. Cuddyer and Mayberry both have experience at first base, and can hold down the fort until Howard comes back. But if there is a chance that the Phillies can dump Howard and his huge contract, then Amaro may possibly be able to work his magic again and make a surprise signing of Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder, much like he did with Cliff Lee. Now let's be honest here, even if Howard was healthy, that would have been a long shot to happen, but since he is hurt, it's pretty much impossible. But hey, it's something to think about. After all, Fielder and Pujols have been better clutch players in not just the regular season, but (more in Pujols' case) the postseason too.... A LOT MORE IN THE POSTSEASON.
Shortstop: Jose Reyes is an option, but he is injury proned and in all honesty would not be a good fit in Philadelphia. The Phillies have said that minor league prospect Freddy Galvis will need at least another year in the minors. Re-signing Rollins is the team's best bet.
Bullpen: The Phillies' bullpen is pretty solid, but with the possibility of Madson going elsewhere, the team may need a new closer. Amaro said in the end of season press conference that if Madson left, they would most likely look outside of the orginization for a closer. There are quite a few good closers that the Phillies can pursue in the off-season should Madson leave. Heath Bell (San Diego), Jose Valverde (Detroit), Matt Caps (Minnesota), Joe Nathan (Minnesota), Francisco Cordero (Cinncinati), Jonathan Papelbon (Boston), and Kyle Farnsworth (Tampa Bay) are all free agents closers who are available.
Ruben Amaro Jr. and the Phillies appear to be heading into a very busy off-season. The team that won a franchise record 102 games, still has much to improve on.
One thing is clear, many tough decisions lie ahead for Amaro.
