5 Dream Moves That Would Make Stat-Heads Squeal

As the Philadelphia Phillies continue their swan dive into the free agent pool in pursuit of the next big splash, fans are eagerly waiting for the front office to fill the holes that still exist. After reeling in Jonathan Papelbon and setting the market price for relievers, the Philly faithful have their sights set on acquisitions that could make their team unstoppable.

Rumors are swirling about utility player Michael Cuddyer and more permanent solutions like Freddy Galvis or Jose Reyes. The crowds that are set to continue the string of sellouts at Citizens Bank Park are still unsure of whether they will be flocking to see Jimmy Rollins or his replacement.

So, as the baseball world watches as the National League favorites retool before another run at the World Series in 2012, one can only think of the many directions in which the club can move. Sure, it makes sense to target the areas that failed them during their most recent postseason failure.

But what if their trigger-happy General Manager shocked the world with a move that would all but guarantee the team another title?

The league is expecting Ruben Amaro Jr. to make a few more moves that will build upon an already-talented roster. However, after years of massive moves and franchise-changing trades, is it unreasonable to doubt that the Phillies could make another huge deal this winter?

The assembly of the "Four Aces" last season and their statistical potential brings a unique type of excitement that can only surround the opportunity to make history by the numbers. Here are five moves Philadelphia could make that would leave stat junkies shaking their heads at the limitless impact they could have on the record books.

Acquiring David Wright

Forget about making stat-heads squirm. If the Phillies made a deal for New York Mets third basement David Wright, the fanbase may storm the gates upon his arrival. Unfortunately for the faint of heart, the two parties have been linked in rumors swirling around the Mets' rebuilding project.

While many Philadelphia supporters would never admit to the fact that Wright would help the team out of genuine disgust for their rivals, the thought of the corner infielder swinging at the short fences at Citizens Bank Park is enough to make anyone giddy.

Since the Mets moved to Citi Field, Wright's numbers have gone into a noticeable nosedive. Once an undisputed power in a lineup, he has become a player that needs more support around him to make an impact. The same statistical tailspin may have just done enough to make him available.

Wright fits in the Phillies' plans because of their shaky situation at third base. Placido Polanco seems to have reached the tail end of his career production and now lacks the durability a team needs at the hot corner

Why would this move raise the eyebrows of the everyday statistician? Aside from the offensive revival he could add to both the team and his own career, Wright would bring a two-time gold glove presence to a defense that committed an NL-best 74 errors with a .988 fielding percentage last season. 

Though near blasphemous to picture for a Phillies' fan, Wright wearing the red pinstripes could lead to a historically dominant defensive unit behind a stellar pitching staff.

Wilson for the Win

Everyone remembers the fanfare in Philadelphia when the team unveiled their star-studded rotation before the 2011. Analysts, fans and stat junkies alike were all ready to anoint the group as the best ever assembled, giving them colorful nicknames that ranged from "The Four Aces" to the "The Phearsome Phoursome."

While Halladay, Oswalt, Lee and Hamels didn't disappoint their audience and nearly lived up to the expectations that were impossible to fulfill, they were only able to spend one season together. Their campaign toward history was cut short when they fell uncharacteristically flat in the postseason before Roy Oswalt saw his option declined.

With a one part of their dominant quartet seemingly doomed to pitch elsewhere, how can the Phillies match the incredible production from their hyped starting rotation of 2011?

Reach in their pockets and make an offer to free-agent ace C.J. Wilson.

Wilson is coming off of his best season as a Major League starter, going 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA and reaching his first All-Star game. However, due to his struggles in the postseason, the price of the crafty left-hander may have dropped to an affordable level for teams that are not the usual big players in free agency.

Enter Amaro Jr., a man always interested in making the big splash as long as it makes financial sense. With $14 million coming off of the books after his buyout, one could argue the cash needed to land Wilson has begun to pile up.

A dream rotation of Halladay, Hamels, Lee, Wilson and Worley is a maddening prospect for any opponent. Though unlikely, the tools to make history are within reach.

One phone call could start to blaze the path. 

Sizing Up Vintage Sizemore

With the Phillies still unsure as to what their lineup will look like come Opening Day 2012 due to the disappearance of Ryan Howard and the hole in left field, there is always room to think about a best-case scenario. Though recovering from a laundry list of ailments that have plagued him over the past three seasons, the situations name is Grady Sizemore.

After watching the Cleveland Indians decline his $9 million option because of the aforementioned injuries to his knees and groin, Sizemore now sits on the free-agent market looking to rekindle the MVP-level numbers he posted from 2005-2008. How can he help Philadelphia if he can return form for the upcoming year?

The Phillies already have a center fielder in Shane Victorino, a franchise mainstay that could be patrolling the outfield at Citizens Bank Park until the end of his career. However, with the unsettled state of left field following the departure of Raul Ibanez, it is a possibility that the team could sign Sizemore for less than they ever paid Ibanez and move him to left field in order to reduce the toll on his body in the field.

If Sizemore was able to post numbers like he did in 2008 when he hit 33 home runs with 90 RBI to go along with an eye-popping 38 stolen bases, Philadelphia's offense would have the opportunity to surpass the production of its predecessors from the last five years.

Not only would a steady dose of vintage Sizemore leave opponents puzzled on how to pitch to Philadelphia's club, but it would allow the team to deal Domonic Brown while the market is still high on his ability. The return could be massive, helping the organization replenish their farm system while the championship window is still open. 

Stars Align for Hanley

When discussing "what-if" scenarios, it never hurts to look at possible reactionary moves of teams that seem on the verge of landing a superstar of their own through free agency. For the Florida Marlins, a controversy at the shortstop position could be the result of a potential deal with Jose Reyes, the free-agent shortstop. 

The Marlins have expressed interest in bringing in Reyes to replace Hanley Ramirez at shortstop, asking him to slide to third base if the team can reach a contract with the ex-Met. However, Ramirez reportedly isnt' too keep on the idea, leaving room for limitless possibilities.

After struggling due to injury and issues with the organization last season, Hanley may have fallen from the player the Marlins are looking to build around to just another solid option in the infield. There's no doubt that the current Miami shortstop will walk away with some hard feelings after he has clashed with the team before.

For the Phillies, Ramirez could be a viable option if Jimmy Rollins is allowed to walk, and the front office is not ready to let Freddy Galvis take the reins. When at the top of his game, Ramirez is the MVP candidate that Philadelphia lost four years ago when J-Roll came back down to Earth after his award-winning year.

Removing Ramirez from the Marlins' former home, a cavernous football stadium, and setting him loose at the hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park could cause Hanley to reach new levels of offensive potential. Everyone remembers how good the Phillies offense can be when Rollins is producing; imagine if Ramirez was able to lead the attack.

Closing the Book on the Opposition

Jonathan Papelbon is now a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. As hard as it is to believe, the team has made a huge commitment to their new closer over the next four years in the hopes that he can pilot the team through a traditionally bumpy ninth-inning.

What allowed the Phillies to enjoy so much success in 2008 when they went on to win the World Series was their ability to hold onto a late lead. Posting a remarkable 89-0 record when leading after eight innings, due largely in part to closer Brad Lidge and set-up man Ryan Madson, the ballclub rarely worried about relinquishing a late lead.

While the team now has one dominant stopper at the back end of the bullpen, a comparison to the 2008 club would raise the question of whether Philadelphia could use another proven arm to help nail down games. Their last title was guided by two pitchers with closer potential. Unless you are willing to give Antonio Bastardo that distinction, the Phillies can always bring in another shutdown arm.

Though they have set the price on the reliever market, there is always an opportunity to delve back into the pursuit of a bullpen piece. With the market as populated as its been in years, the front office could try to reel in the likes of David Aardsma, Jon Rauch or Mike Gonzalez to solidify a strong relief corps.

The magic number here is 89—the number of games the Phillies were able to consecutively win without blowing a ninth-inning lead in 2008. Throw in one more effective ingredient to the late-game mixture and the organization could be setting records with their ability to finish off a win.