Philadelphia Phillies: 10 Players Who Could Help Them ClinchThe 2011 Pennant
Unless you live under a rock--and even maybe then--you have heard about the Phillies signing Cliff Lee to go along with Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels in a starting rotation that many consider the best of the decade. This four-man rotation is the best in baseball by just about any stat category, but is it enough to win them the pennant? The Phillies are projected to win the NL East easily, and to make a good run into the postseason, but is it a lock? Not quite is the answer. The Phillies have almost solved the puzzle for the 2011 season--and possibly beyond-- but need to add one or two more pieces such as a shut-down reliever or a right-handed hitter. These ten guys are all available, and if the Phillies acquire any of them, they should just about clinch the NL Pennant--FYI, this isn't a ranking since they should all clinch them the NL Pennant.
Brian Feuntes, Reliever
1 of 10
Fuentes is a free agent reliever who the Phils could pick up. Fuentes is a lefty, which is big for the Phillies because their main lefty, J.C. Romero was let go, and now they only have three lefties in the bullpen, and none of them are very reliable. Fuentes posted a 2.81 ERA in 2010, and 24 saves. He struck out 47 in 48 innings pitched, and he had a 1.06 WHIP. Fuentes pitched as a closer, and the Phillies could use him in that role, or switch him over to a shutdown 8th inning pitcher. The Phillies need relievers and lefties, and Fuentes could help them in both aspects, and his versatility would no doubt help them.
Kevin Gregg, Reliever-Since signed with Baltimore.
2 of 10
Kevin Gregg is a free agent this year. Gregg posted a 3.51 ERA and converted 37 saves in 43 opportunities in 2010. Gregg is a righty closer that the Phils could use. Gregg could come in and take over the closer role form Lidge, and Lidge could be used as a one inning pitcher. If Gregg could be signed to a multi-year contract, Lidge is done after 2011, and his 15 million dollars could be used to sign another closer with a deal that gives them more money in 2012, and much less in 2011. Gregg could give the Phils the closer that they have needed ever since 2008, and could clinch them the pennant.
J.P. Howell, Reliever
3 of 10
Howell made big noise in 2009, and he is not a very expensive free agent. Howell did not play in 2010, so his last stats are a 2.84 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 17 saves. Howell posted decent numbers in 2009 (he blew 8 saves), and he would not be an expensive pick up for the Phils. Howell could come in and be the featured lefty for the Phillies since they don't have many lefties. Howell would give balance to Philadelphia's bullpen, and he would essentially clinch them the pennant over the Giants or Braves or Brewers.
.png?w=256)
Rafael Soriano, Reliever
4 of 10
Please, pleeeeease come to Philly.
Rafael Soriano may be the the best reliever left on the free agent market, and if he went to the Phillies, they would win the pennant easily. Soriano converted 45 saves and blew only 3 in 2010. His 0.80 Whip was first in the league and his 1.73 ERA is pretty darn good too. Soriano would be like the Brad Lidge of 2008, and if he is willing to take a pay cut for 2011 but receive about 12 million in 2012 in Philadelphia, then they would have the best team in baseball. Soriano made $7.25 million in 2010 (for good reason), and the Phillies could sign him to a long term deal with the money that will be freed up at the end of 2011 when Raul Ibanez and Brad Lidge leave (over $25 million). Soriano would complete the Phillies, and the Phils GM just needs to make it happen.
Jose Guillen, Right Field
5 of 10
Guillen is a free agent that the Phillies should go out and get. Guillen would replace Werth in right field and give the Phillies a better chance of winning. Guillen's stats are not the same as Werth's, but considering he only fell 8 home runs short in a much tougher ballpark out in San Fran, this is excusable. Guillen is a good fielder, and his batting numbers are better than Ben Francisco (Werth's replacement). Philadelphia's pitching is amazing, and if they can just muster 3-5 runs per game, they are a deadly team.
Arthur Rhodes, Reliever -Since signed with Texas
6 of 10
Rhodes is a lefty reliever on the free agent market. Rhodes 2010 salary was $2 million dollars which is not too much of a stretch for the Phillies. Rhodes posted an impressive 26 holds, a 2.29 ERA, a1.02 Whip, and 50 strikeouts in 55 innings pitched. Rhodes could be the lefty that the Phillies need. He could also fill their hole in the later innings to set up Brad Lidge and share that duty with righty Ryan Madson. Rhodes would be a good fit for Philly, and since he isn't as expensive as, say, Soriano, he could be brought to the Phillies by April (or when pitchers and catchers report).
Hisashi Iwakuma, Reliever
7 of 10
Iwakuma is a free agent reliever coming over from Japan, and he is ranked as the fourth best free agent on the market by ESPN's Buster Olney. Iwakuma was mainly interested in Oakland, and the Phillies would have to come out of nowhere for this one. Iwakamu has not been proven in the MLB yet, but by all accounts he is worthy of all the hype. Iwakuma would obviously want a lot of money, so this probably won't happen, but if he does go to the Phillies then they would have a commanding hold on all other teams in the NL.
Jonathan Papelbon, Reliever
8 of 10
There have been a few trade rumors involving the Red Sox's closer Papelbon, and the Phils still have a few good prospects to trade. The Phillies have made a lot of good trades over the last two or three years, and adding Papelbon might just be the best one they could make. It unsure whether or not the trade talks have merit or not, but if they do, the Phils ought to at least make an offer to scoop Papelbon up, considering he converted 37 saves and had 76 Ks in 67 innings pitched. If the Phils acquire Papelbon, they can and will win the NL Pennant.
Scott Podsednik, Outfield.
9 of 10
Posednik prefers left field, but the Phillies could utilize him in either left or right field. Posednik would not be the right-handed bat that they need, but he would make a better replacement for Ibanez who will likely lose his job or Werth who was lost to free agency. Posednik is still on the free agent market, and he is not an expensive option at all, making less than $2 million a year. Posednik has a high batting average, and his stats last year would have put him second on the Phils to Placido Polanco by .001. Posednik would definitely help the Phils, and he is not too much of a stretch.
Joakim Soria, Reliever
10 of 10
Soria is currently the closer of the Royals, but there are trade talks about him going on. Many experts agree that Soria should be traded, and the Phillies could really use him. Soria converted 43 saves while only blowing three, and as mentioned before, the Phils still have a few good prospects. Soria would take over the role of closer from Brad Lidge and Lidge could pitch the 8th. Soria has a 1.78 ERA and 71 Ks in 65.2 games. Soria's WHIP is also only 1.05, which makes him an excellent option as closer. Soria coming to the Phils would seal the deal for them, and the Pennant would be rightfully theirs.
.png?w=480)
