MLB Free Agency: Why the Philadelphia Phillies Will Have a Big Offseason

The Philadelphia Phillies had a big offseason, signing Cliff Lee, which has helped them capture the best record in the MLB, and they are poised to have another big offseason.

The Phillies have relied upon big acquisitions to fuel their success over the past five seasons, and the 2011-12 offseason should provide them with at least one more big name.

These are the reasons why the Phillies could have a big offseason.

Raul Ibanez Comes off the Books

Raul Ibanez is a 39-year-old outfielder for the Phillies. He signed a pretty big contract with the Phillies from 2009 through 2011.

Ibanez came to the team and had a great 2009, then dropped off a bit in 2010, and has been terrible in 2011.

Ibanez is batting only .235 with 16 home runs and 64 RBI. Ibanez has been very inconsistent, but he has not been worth over $12 million, which is what the Phillies are paying him.

The Phillies could use the $12 million to re-sign current players or find replacements for them. The Phillies do not need to find a replacement for Ibanez because they already have Domonic Brown and Ben Francisco, who could play left field.

The Phillies Must Decide Whether or Not to Keep Brad Lidge

Brad Lidge is one of the closers for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is not the only closer because Ryan Madson, Antonio Bastardo and Jose Contreras have also closed games.

Lidge was a great closer for the team in 2008, not blowing a single save, but he has gone downhill from there. He struggled over the next two seasons and has been injured for most of this season.

Lidge is making $12 million this season, which is more than Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Chase Utley, Hunter Pence and more.

Lidge has an ERA of 1.35 in his 6.2 innings pitched. Lidge has seven strikeouts, but he also has seven walks.

The Phillies have a team-option for the 2012 season, and they must decide whether or not to keep Lidge. I would not expect them to keep him because his salary is so high, and that frees up another $12 million for the team.

Roy Oswalt Could Be off the Books Too

Roy Oswalt was supposed to be an ace for the Philadelphia Phillies, but he had to take a leave of absence from the team and was then injured.

Oswalt is in the fifth year of his contract, and there is a mutual option for next season. The Phillies are paying Oswalt $16 million this season, the second-most of any pitcher on the team with only Roy Halladay making more.

Oswalt is 5-7 with an ERA of 3.84. The 34-year-old has been riddled with injuries in his career, and he is reaching the end of the road.

The Phillies need to decide whether or not they want to take a risk on Oswalt, and if they don't they may look for other options.

The Decision on Jimmy Rollins

Jimmy Rollins is the lead-off hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies, and many consider him the heart and soul of the team. Rollins has not been doing as well in the past few seasons.

Rollins is in the final year of his six-year contract, and the Phillies have to decide whether to try to re-sign him or chase another player.

Rollins is .267 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI from the lead-off spot. He has done well with the Phillies over the last six years, including winning the 2007 MVP, three Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger.

Rollins is making $8.5 million this year, and the Phillies must decide what to do with him.

There Are Options at Shortstop

If the Philadelphia Phillies decide not to re-sign Jimmy Rollins, they have other options at shortstop.

Jose Reyes of the New York Mets is a free agent at the end of the year. If the Phillies have all the money from letting Raul Ibanez, Roy Oswalt, Brad Lidge and Rollins go, then they will have more than enough money to be a serious contender for Reyes, despite bad blood between the two teams.

Other shortstops that are free agents include Orlando Cabrera, Alex Gonzalez, J.J. Hardy and Jhonny Peralta.

The Phillies have options for shortstops, and that could mean that they don't want to keep Rollins.