Philadelphia Phillies: 4 Reasons Not to Fret the Free-Agent Signing Frenzy

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Philadelphia Phillies made a splash when free agency began by signing the best closer on the market in Jonathan Papelbon to a lucrative deal that is the highest in league history. Since that signing, Ruben Amaro Jr. has quietly gone about his business and improved this team with the acquisitions of Jim Thome, Ty Wigginton, Laynce Nix and possibly the re-signing of Jimmy Rollins.

The Phillies have been the talk of MLB the past three seasons with the acquisitions of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Hunter Pence and Roy Oswalt, but teams like the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Angels have stolen their thunder during the MLB Winter Meetings.

Don't worry, Philadelphia, because there is nothing to fear. Let those teams spend ridiculous wads of cash on a few players, because they still have a long way to go before being a blip on the Phillies NL East champion radar. 

Here are four reasons why Phillies fans should not worry about the free-agent frenzy in MLB.

4. Jose Reyes Is Not a Winner

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Does that look like the face of a guy who is willing to do whatever it takes to win? Didn't think so.

The Philadelphia Phillies seem on the verge of re-signing team (swag) leader Jimmy Rollins, while the Miami Marlins just blew $100 million on a guy who pulled himself out of the last game of the season so he could win the NL batting title.

Jose Reyes is a great player for sure, but he cares more about individual accomplishments than team success.

Putting him on a ballclub that will soon once again feature a 75-percent empty stadium will only make this trait worse.

The Marlins better hope that Hanley Ramirez is okay with playing 3B, or things will get ugly very quickly.

 

Don't Fret, Philadelphia

If baseball fans will not show up and watch the Tampa Bay Rays play the game 100 mph every game, then they certainly will not show up to see the Miami Marlins and Jose Reyes pound his chest every time he hits an infield single.

3. Sorry Miami, Not There Yet...

Brian Kersey/Getty Images

Where the Miami Marlins are getting all of this cash is beyond me, but they have added Jose Reyes, Heath Bell, Mark Buehrle and have now been linked to Prince Fielder.

Reports also showed that the Marlins were top bidders for C.J. Wilson and Albert Pujols.

The fact remains that the 2011 Florida Marlins finished 30 games behind the NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies, and 13 games behind the Atlanta Braves.

The Marlins will undoubtedly be better in 2012, but they are years away from contending with the odds-on World Series favorite in 2012.

 

Don't Fret, Philadelphia

Your Philadelphia Phillies finished 30 games better than the Marlins and now have Hunter Pence for an entire season.

2. Angels Play in the AL

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Los Angeles Angels took a page out of Ruben Amaro's "sneaky, sneaky" book and shocked the baseball world with the acquisitions of C.J. Wilson and Albert Pujols.

Philly Nation should not worry about these signings in the least, as the Angels play in the ultra-competetive American League.

The Angels will have their hands full with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers, to name a few.

If the Angels are able to navigate their way through the treacherous AL and reach the World Series....

Halladay, Hamels and Lee will be waiting.

 

Don't Fret, Philadelphia

I will still go to war with those three against any team in baseball and feel extremely confident.

1. Amaro Has Improved the Roster This Offseason

Len Redkoles/Getty Images

The Philadelphia Phillies finished the 2011 season with the best record in baseball (and team history) with 102 wins.

The Phillies lacked power and versatility off the bench and added players in Thome and Nix from the left and Wigginton from the right that fit the bill.

They still have speed and depth with Wilson Valdez and Michael Martinez.

Even though Ryan Madson had a tremendous season, they lacked a proven closer with a track record. They have added that in Jonathan Papelbon.

Look for Amaro to re-sign Jimmy Rollins so the Phillies will continue to play brilliant defensive baseball. He needs to add one more power bat (Aramis Ramirez?) and this team will be ready for another 100 wins in 2012.

Playoff baseball comes down to pitching and clutch hitting. The Phillies have not gotten enough of the latter since 2008.

Their pitching will continue to make them the favorite in any series, and it's time for Utley, Howard and Co. to come up big again in 2012.

 

Don't Fret, Philadelphia

Trust in Ruben—he's not done yet.