Phillies Decline Option on Pedro Feliz... Who's Next at the Hot Corner?

One of the big questions facing the Phillies this off-season was whether or not to pick up the team option on third baseman Pedro Feliz, which would have kept him here for another year at $5.5 million. The Phils' beats are all reporting that the team has declined this option, meaning Feliz will become a free agent, though the Phillies could still re-sign him (and possibly for less). 

Pedro Feliz, originally uploaded by Brendan Sullivan.

Before the end of the season, I'd have thought it somewhat likely that Feliz's relatively inexpensive option would be picked up. For much of the first half, he actually led the team in average with runners in scoring position, giving balance to the bottom of the lineup. However, he tapered off considerably, and he was an absolute hole in the lineup over the course of the playoffs, aside from his two homers. Feliz's defense is indisputably good, but it seems like the Phillies will go after someone who can add more on offense. Look for them to make a major free agency play for either Chone Figgins or Adrian Beltre, or possibly make a trade. 

Figgins will attract some healthy offers in free agency, including from his own club, the contending Angels. Beltre won't be cheap either, despite missing 51 games in 2009. I don't even want to talk about that injury. Wear a cup, kids.

If it's Figgins, his average and speed would be better served at the top of the lineup, which would mean a notable shakeup in the Phillies batting order. They were again very productive in 2009, but a change at the top could mean even more runs. Figgins' career OBP is higher than even Jimmy Rollins' best season, and he's stolen more than 30 bases in each of his last six seasons, topping 60 once, and 40 four times. Don't expect the soon to be 32-year-old, who is also good with the glove, to come cheap or easy though. And, if you're among those crucifying Feliz for his postseason, consider that Figgins went 3 for 35 in the 2009 playoffs, with 1 RBI and just 4 walks. That's worse than Pedro's line, and it came at the top of the Angels lineup, not ahead of the catcher and the pitcher (not that their pitcher bats, but you get the point). 

Beltre has more power potential, usually falling in the mid-20s in homers, with one 48-dinger season in 2004. You figure that one out. His average last season was .265, not far off of Feliz's, and he spent much of it on the DL. At 30 years of age, Beltre earned $13.4 million in 2009, with 8 homers and 44 RBI in 111 games. Beltre won the Gold Glove in 2007 and 2008, so it isn't likely he'd be a downgrade in defense from Feliz. After letting Pat Burrell leave town, the Phils aggressively targeted Raul Ibañez to replace him. Could Beltre be the next FA plucked from Seattle?

Beltre is a righty at the plate, and Figgins is a switch hitter. Figgins' numbers are notably better as a lefty. Other free agency or trade options abound, including names like Miguel Tejada, Placido Polanco, Mark DeRosa, and Garrett Atkins, to name a few. Update: Jim Salisbury quotes Ruben Amaro Jr. as saying he's already been contacted about potential trade. 

The most surprising thing about Pedro Feliz's Phillies career was its total absence of home runs. He was good for 20+ in the cavernous pitcher's paradise out in San Franciso, but had trouble going deep in Citizens Bank Bandbox. I'll always wonder why.

Defense was a major component of the Phillies World Series win, and their return to the Fall Classic in 2009. However, age does not wear well at the hot corner, and the Phillies may not have wanted to take the risk that Pedro would slow down in the field as he has at the plate. Overall though, I'm assuming they have their eyes set on someone in particular in the market. Under Ruben Amaro Jr, they've been very deliberate in targeting the players they want—and paying for them. One thing I'm loving about being a Phils fan these days is that if a decent player is on his way out, it actually seems likely the Phillies have an upgrade in mind. 

It's only a few days old, but the Phillies off-season is already pretty intriguing. If this is the end of Pedro Feliz's days in Philly, join us in thanking him for his role in the 2008 title. I'm certain they don't get there without him. Despite a tough run in 2009's playoffs, he deserves to be remembered with a champion's respect here.  

Comments

[the jock master exteme]

its neil sellers time!!!!!!

[Sully]

That's sad to hear, I always liked Pedro. He's a rock defensively and has come through in the clutch before, although he was less than ideal this postseason.

Thanks for the love and the glove, Pete Happy

[shocksterman]

He was another important part of our run but despite that, his time had come. Having watched Adrian Beltre here in Seattle (I'm stuck, but my hearts is in Philly), I think he is a great fit.
A FIRST CLASS fielder at 3rd base that makes some plays you don't think are possible. And as an offensive piece of whom not THAT much is expected, he will succeed in Philly. Being the 5th option for offense (or 6th or 7th) will be a formula for success for him.
I hope they make the signging.

[Danny]

Getting Adrian Beltre would be ideal.

Four years younger than Feliz, as good defensively, much better offensively.

You can say his 09 numbers were bad, but that's partially because he didn't wear a cup and got drilled in the nuts.

He is somewhat injury-prone, so that's the only knock. But going from Seattle's park to Philly's -- you saw what that did for Ibanez....

[Dlock89]

figgins or beltre would be great. Ibanez and him are probably boys so that could be a plus.

[shocksterman]

I'm sorry to see him go because he was a part of our championship run.
HOWEVER, Having watched Adrian Beltre out here in Seattle for the last 5 years, I can say that I think he will be a GREAT fit in our lineup if we make the move.
He makes all of the plays that anybody else in the majors can make and MANY that nobody can make. He also will fit very nicely in the lineup at the dish because when he doesn't need to be the #2 or #3 option on offense, he can make a difference.
I like the move and hope they make it.

[dUb-iLL]

I'm liking Figgins over Beltre. He's more of a winner and wold like a little more speed in the order and he's more versatile in the field if it comes down to it.

I'll miss Pedro though, he's a vacuum at 3rd and has been a big part of the success over the past two years. We will miss him... but hopefully not too much.

[J-D]

Not sure I like it. I thought pedro was a great fit with this club. He provides gold glove caliber defense and while not being a very strong hitter was solid at the plate. I always thought he was one of those selfless players you need on your team in order to be successful.

[hitnrun]

Don't like this at all. It's not a good idea to start getting rid of great players just because you missed a world championship by 2 games.

Those are Yankee-style moves without a Yankees bank account to back you up. If they don't pay off, we're sitting around on October 3rd every year complaining about how the Phils "aren't dedicated to winning."

[Tom B.]

I don't want any of those FA's! Trade for Uggla (can play third)....perfect fit in Philly!

[Mikey L.]

I like Pedro a lot. He may be getting older, but I haven't seen any major reeasons to move on. I get the whole idea about upgrading. Ibanez from Burrell was a much needed upgrade. I think the money spent on one Figgins or Beltre should be used on pitching and keep the cheaper and proven Feliz.

[Mikey L.]

I like Pedro a lot. He may be getting older, but I haven't seen any major reeasons to move on. I get the whole idea about upgrading. Ibanez from Burrell was a much needed upgrade. I think the money spent on one Figgins or Beltre should be used on pitching and keep the cheaper and proven Feliz.

[Stan]

not that it's too important, but figgins is a switch hitter not a righty

[Matt P.]

Stan, fixed, and I think it's definitely important, especially because he's better from the left side. Three switchers in the lineup wouldn't be a terrible thing though.

[Kevin]

I'd definitely take Figgins first. The guy is a spark to a team, and a good basestealer. Picture this: Rollins, Figgins, Utley, Howard, Werth, Ibanez, Victorino, Ruiz, Pitcher. Speed throughout the lineup (even Ryan Howard can steal a bag) I heard another option involving a trade with Colorado for Garrett Atkins. It doesn't sound too bad. I'd still take Figgins over anybody else.

[FrontRanger]

Isn't Garrett Atkins of the Rockies best friends with Utley? He had a down year in Colorado and is on the outs. He might be cheaper than Feliz and a bad year at the plate for him is a good one Feliz these days.

[agam22]

Get Dave Hollins

[Matt P.]

@FrontRanger: Notfornuthin but, Atkins hit .226 last season, and pulled in $7mil. Not saying he can't rebound, but he's more costly, and his worst year is not nearly as decent as Pedro's worst, let alone Pedro's career numbers.

[T]

Rollins has to move out of lead-off with his OBP. Figgins, Victorin, Utley, Howard, Werth, Ibanez, Rollins, Ruiz, Pitcher, more like.

[stevefredericks]

atkins' career numbers are vastly better than feliz's. and both had a .308 OBP this year.

[PhillyCuban]

1st of all, resigning Pedro is not remotely out of the question. There is a glut of FA 3rd basemen out there. How many teams are in the market for a top 3B? You can make a run at Beltre or Figgins if you have a price set in mind that you want to pay. But you dont have to overpay because if you miss out on Figgins because of a few mil or years, you can make an offer to DeRosa or Tejada or Glaus. You miss on all of them you can probably still come back and make an offer to Pedro. I doubt he would command any more than that option or that any other team would go after him from the get-go.

[andrew]

im pretty sure dan ugglas a FA. not that i want him. and even though pedro was a vacume i wouldnt say hes one of the great players on this team, just a very solid good one. im sure ruben will make us happy. WE NEED A RIGHTY IN THIS ROTATION!!!!!!