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| Darin Ruf |
The Phillies have some decisions to make for tonight's deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft. Before midnight tonight, any player signed at 18 or younger with five years of minor league time, or signed at 19 with four or more, must be on the 40 man roster, or they will exposed to the draft. Being that they have 34 players on the 40 man now, they cannot protect more than six more. Remember though, if they push the roster to 40, how do they add guys they sign on the free agency market.
So with that in mind, and figuring that no one gets released today (which is unlikely), here's my pecking order for protecting players:
- Jon Pettibone
- Ethan Martin
- Trevor May
- Zach Collier
- Julio Rodriguez
- Leandro Castro
- Jiwan James
- Colby Shreve
Now that might seem like it's more than six, and it is. I figured I'd rank the whole bubble group, and that way you'd know how disappointed I am when Ruben doesn't listen to my advice (ha). Philly.com did this, kind of, too. I think Pettibone is a lock, as I'd imagine we'll see him a lot in spring training. Martin is just as close. May can't be forgotten for one year of trouble. Collier is where it gets close.
This is because the Phillies are going to sign some free-agents. It is a virtual lock they will sign an outfielder. Will it be an elite outfielder? My guess is yes. What's my wish list? In order, with reasoning:
- B.J. Upton- He's the youngest of the big time centerfielders, and probably costs the least of them. Yes, his average has been down, but he's a plus defensive player who can hit 25 homers and steal 30 bases.
- Josh Hamilton- Big contract what? Who cares? If the ownership is willing to spend it and not cry poverty after, why would you not want a top five offensive player in the game? Sure his defense may decline, but he also may end up on a corner spot.
- Michael Bourn- It's not that I don't want Bourn, I'd be thrilled to get him. His age being the same as most of our team, high number of strikeouts, and essentially being another lead-off man are what get me. He's the best lead-off man available though, and a Gold Glove level outfielder, as well as a perennial steal leader contender. If we sign him and hit him second or first, it's a win for us.
- Jeff Keppinger- He plays all over the diamond, and is solid at third. He's a .288 career hitter. He's relatively cheap. I'm waiting for a reason not to like this guy.
- Mike Adams- Want to lock down the 8th inning? Sign the best guy for that job.
- Kevin Youkilis- I'm not against Youk, at least not as much as I was before. His OBP and home run numbers make it a solid move. I fear his clubhouse issues from Boston, and his falling average, but he'd still be a more dynamic offensive presence than we've had at third in a while.
- Angel Pagan- He lead the league in triples, plays a really solid outfield, steals bags, and just won a World Series. He'd be higher if I didn't remember him as a Met.
- Mike Gonzalez- Say what? Say why not. The lefty would be a good addition to the back-end of the pen, having been a successful set-up man, lefty-specialist, and closer.
My list addresses the needs I think the team needs. Much of this depends on another decision though- the decision at the corners in the outfield. Are the Phillies comfortable with Dom Brown in one corner, and Darin Ruf at least platooning in the other. If so, then they just need a centerfielder, most likely. They could have to decide if Nix or Schierholtz is an adequate platoon partner or not. That's probably secondary though. Food for thought though: Darin Ruf, if he would go back to Venezuela instead of being done for the winter, was hitting home runs down there at a pace that had people talking record. Maybe, just maybe, he is the answer.
