Phillies: Why Toss Feliz If You Don't Go Big at Third?

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When Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro declined the $5.5 million contract renewal of incumbent third baseman Pedro Feliz, he suggested the Phillies could upgrade the position.

I heard Randy Miller of the Bucks Country Currier Times on WIP today and he said Chone Figgins, with more than 40 stolen bases and near .400 on-base percentage, would probably be too much money for the Phillies to pay.

A story on SI.com suggested teams were perhaps going to have lean winters, free-agent wise.

Perhaps the truth, but perhaps posturing to see what top player would break the market. To date, only Ken Griffey Jr. signed with his original team, the Seattle Mariners, for $2 million and incentives.

Miller also suggested that Phillies might go after Colorado's Garrett Atkins, shown above. In just over a half season in 2009, he hit .225 with nine home runs and 48 RBI.

In 2008, however, he hit 21 home runs and 99 RBI. In 2006, he finished 14 in the MVP voting with a .329 batting average, 29 home runs and 120 RBI. And he was Phillies second baseman Chase Utley's roommate at UCLA.

According to a report in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies were looking at Placido Polanco, Mark DeRosa, or Adrian Beltre for third base.

In my mind, only Beltre would be an upgrade from Feliz.

We could agree on this: The Phillies probably will not sign Blue Jays' pitcher Roy Halladay. Nor will Johnny Damon come to the team.

But again, I ask: Why get rid of Pedro Feliz and bring in a Mark DeRosa?

An upgrade? With all respect to DeRosa, he is a better utility player at this point in his career. Polanco is more comfortable at second, where he played for the Tigers.

Although they were not ruling out a return of Feliz, it is not likely.

I don't blame Amaro for letting Feliz become a free agent and holding off on finding a replacement until the free agency period begins Nov. 20. If you're gonna let a great defensive third baseman go, why not go big? Huh? Come on, now!

You brought in more than three million people into the gates last year. You were the best team in the National League.

Show some faith. Bring in a third baseman that will improve the team offensively and bring the same defense provided by Feliz.

Atkins, Polanco, Beltre, or DeRosa might fit.

Anything else would be egg on Amaro's face. Think of it: The day the Phillies sign DeRosa, Feliz signs with the Braves for $7 million along with former Angels' pitcher John Lackey.

Figgins would be a big upgrade.

Make it happen.

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