He’s not Mike Lowell, Miguel Cabrera, Garrett Atkins or Ryan Braun, but in signing free agent 3rd baseman Pedro Feliz, the Phillies acquired a regular 3rd baseman.

Feliz, who hit 20 HRs and drove in 72 runs with a .253 BA last season, 100 homers amd 383 runs over the last five seasons, is projected as a substantial improvement over the Phillies 3rd base committee of last season; Greg Dobbs, Wes Helms and Abraham Nunez with a collective .255 BA with 11 homers and 76 RBIs last year.    

The AP report on the deal for Yahoo sports quotes Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro as stating;

 ”We feel that with the acquisition of Feliz, we have helped to solidify an already productive infield.  Pedro is an above average defender who will provide some overall balance to our lineup.”

Philly.com reporter Todd Zolecki notes that;

Feliz led National League third basemen with a .973 fielding percentage last season. The Bill James Handbook 2008 lists Feliz as having the fourth-best range factor (2.91) of big-league third basemen behind Ryan Zimmerman (3.07),  Scott Rolen (2.99) and Jose Bautista (2.92).

The Phillies feel sure that the righthanded hitting Feliz will better his offensive productivity at Citizen’s Bank Park with its’ leftfield and left-center dimensions.  And his defensive capability insures that 3rd base will not require the perenial late-inning defensive replacement — one less move per game for Manager Charlie Manuel to make. 

AP reporter Rob Maaddi notes for Yahoo sports;

Manuel thinks Feliz can benefit from hitting lower in Philadelphia’s potent lineup. Feliz sometimes batted behind  Barry Bonds with the Giants.

Where this leaves Helms is anyone’s guess for he was a major disappointment last season.  Indications are that the Phillies may try to move him as part of a deal for starting pitching help in light of the impending Twins trade of star Johan Santana to the New York Mets.

Meanwhile, Greg Dobbs seems sure to be moved to a utility and pinch hitter role.

On the pitching front, the Phils are watching closely to see if the Mets acquisition of Johan Santana actually takes place.

On Wednesday the Twins agreed to deal Santana to the Mets in exchange for four of the Mets’ best prospects.  But in order for the deal to actualize, the Mets and Santana have to come to agreement as to a long-term deal by Friday afternoon.  Now this may sound like a no-brainer, but the numbers are enough to make anyone blink a few times. 

Cleveland Plain Dealer Reporter Paul Hoynes writes;

If the Mets land Santana, it means they’ve agreed to a five to six-year deal that could be worth between $130 million and $150 million.  

For those crying gloom and doom negativity in Philly regarding falling back in the “arms race”, I see three potent young pitchers in the starting rotation in lefthander  Cole Hamels, Brett Myers and Kyle Kendrick who, if they live up to anything near potential, will eat up innings and rack up wins. 

If the Phillies can wrap Helms and disappointing Adam Eaton as part of a deal for quality starter and use whatever veteran lefty Jamie Moyer has left in the tank, they will be all over the Mets.

For their part, the Mets, even should they get the Santana deal done, are a less than solid starting rotation.  Since Pedro Martinez is at best questionable due to advanced age and after the nearly two season layoff due to injury and surgery, basically, that old Spahn, Sain scenario seems appropriate — Santana, Maine and two days of rain.

I’ll stick with shortstop Jimmy Rollin’s vintage 2008 prediction — Phillies win 100.  That’s 100 wins, the NL East and to the next levels of post-season play.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 31st, 2008 at 9:01 pm and is filed under Real-Time Baseball News and Commentary
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