The Phillies are taking a chance.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced Sunday night that the club declined its 2010 option on third baseman Pedro Feliz.
Feliz, one of baseball's best defensive third baseman, was set to make $5.5 million this season. Instead, the club chose to pay him a $500,000 buyout.
''This doesn't preclude us from bringing Pedro back next season,'' Amaro said. ''While this allows us to explore other opportunities, we will continue to keep the lines of communication open with Pedro and his representative.''
Although Feliz, 34, made plays that other third baseman don't come close to making, clearly the Phillies are looking for an upgrade. He hit .266 with 12 home runs and 82 RBIs in 158 games this season. However, he led the team with a .336 batting average with runners in scoring position (13th among all National League players).
If the Phillies don't make a trade and opt to sign a free agent, the list isn't full of big names. Feee agents the club consider include Adrian Beltre, Joe Crede, Chone Figgins, Mark DeRosa and Placido Polanco.
Polanco already had one go-around with the Phillies, but was shipped off when Chase Utley showed signs of being a star and David Bell was all but locked in at third. Figgins could provide a spark in the top of the order, something the Phillies desperately need after having Jimmy Rollins put up a starting-lineup worst .296 on-base percentage. Figgins walked an American League best 101 times, stole 42 bases, had a .395 on-base percentage and hit .298 with the Angels.
In other news, three players are scheduled to have surgery this week, Amaro announced. While much of the focus was on Brad Lidge's knee during the season, it turns out his elbow and hip were bothering him more at season's end. The closer will have a loose body removed from his right elbow by team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti on Wednesday. He also will have his right flexor/pronator tendon (hip) evaluated.
As many suspected as the season went on, outfielder Raul Ibanez was playing with a sports hernia. His surgery is today. Ibanez was on the disabled list from June 18 to July 10 with a groin strain. He put up outstanding numbers prior to the injury and was a starter in the All-Star Game. However, he wasn't the same player when he returned. Prior to his DL stint, he hit .312 with 22 home runs and 59 RBIs. After returning July 11, his average plummeted to .232 with 12 home runs and 32 RBIs.
Left-hander Scott Eyre is also slated for surgery today to remove loose bodies from his left elbow.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced Sunday night that the club declined its 2010 option on third baseman Pedro Feliz.
Feliz, one of baseball's best defensive third baseman, was set to make $5.5 million this season. Instead, the club chose to pay him a $500,000 buyout.
''This doesn't preclude us from bringing Pedro back next season,'' Amaro said. ''While this allows us to explore other opportunities, we will continue to keep the lines of communication open with Pedro and his representative.''
Although Feliz, 34, made plays that other third baseman don't come close to making, clearly the Phillies are looking for an upgrade. He hit .266 with 12 home runs and 82 RBIs in 158 games this season. However, he led the team with a .336 batting average with runners in scoring position (13th among all National League players).
If the Phillies don't make a trade and opt to sign a free agent, the list isn't full of big names. Feee agents the club consider include Adrian Beltre, Joe Crede, Chone Figgins, Mark DeRosa and Placido Polanco.
Polanco already had one go-around with the Phillies, but was shipped off when Chase Utley showed signs of being a star and David Bell was all but locked in at third. Figgins could provide a spark in the top of the order, something the Phillies desperately need after having Jimmy Rollins put up a starting-lineup worst .296 on-base percentage. Figgins walked an American League best 101 times, stole 42 bases, had a .395 on-base percentage and hit .298 with the Angels.
In other news, three players are scheduled to have surgery this week, Amaro announced. While much of the focus was on Brad Lidge's knee during the season, it turns out his elbow and hip were bothering him more at season's end. The closer will have a loose body removed from his right elbow by team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti on Wednesday. He also will have his right flexor/pronator tendon (hip) evaluated.
As many suspected as the season went on, outfielder Raul Ibanez was playing with a sports hernia. His surgery is today. Ibanez was on the disabled list from June 18 to July 10 with a groin strain. He put up outstanding numbers prior to the injury and was a starter in the All-Star Game. However, he wasn't the same player when he returned. Prior to his DL stint, he hit .312 with 22 home runs and 59 RBIs. After returning July 11, his average plummeted to .232 with 12 home runs and 32 RBIs.
Left-hander Scott Eyre is also slated for surgery today to remove loose bodies from his left elbow.
