MLB Rumors: 10 Pitchers the Philadelphia Phillies Will Court To Fix the Bullpen

The Philadelphia Phillies are a great team with very little flaws.

After losing to the San Francisco Giants in the 2010 NLCS, Phillies fans were devastated on what happened.

They sat in the stands, at their homes, or at the local bar in shock and could not believe the defeat they faced.

Well, now we are entering the 2011 MLB season and we as Phillies fans must put the past behind us. We must try and make ourselves a better team for the near future.

As I said earlier, the Phillies have very little flaws. On paper, our only weakness is the bullpen.

Lucky for us, the 2011 free agent list is infested with relievers.

The majority of our entire pitching staff are right handers, so I think we should focus on hauling in lefties to make our staff more dynamic.

Ruben Amaro Jr. has proved he can be successful in the business of baseball and I have faith in him again.

Without a due, I give you 10 free agent relievers that the Phillies and Ruben Amaro Jr. will try to grab off of the free agent wire.

10. Todd Coffey

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CHICAGO - APRIL 12: Todd Coffey #60 of the Milwaukee Brewers delivers the ball against the Chicago Cubs on Opening Day at Wrigley Field on April 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Brewers 9-5. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

He may not have put up the best statistics last season, but I feel like he could be a decent option for the Phillies.

Last year, the 30 year old reliever from the Milwaukee Brewers totaled 13 holds and an ERA of 4.76.

Although his numbers are not that great, we could possibly sign him for a cheaper value than what was expected.

Originally, he was in line for a raise from his original contract of $2,025,002 (Two dollars...seriously?) because of his solid season in 2009 when he racked up 27 holds.

However, his sub par stats last year did not attract the Brewers to tender his contract.

When he finds a new home, he will be bought for cheaper value and there would be a chance to see a season similar to the one he had in 2009.

Coffey should not be the first option for the Phillies, but if all else fails, he could be a guy to take a chance on.

9. Taylor Buchholz

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DENVER - MAY 18: Pitcher Taylor Buchholz #35 of the Colorado Rockies delivers against the Minnesota Twins during Interleague MLB action at Coors Field on May 18, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Twins 6-2. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Gett

Taylor Buchholz is a former native who grew up in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania and was also drafted by the Phillies back in 2000.

Buchholz has recently came off Tommy John surgery so trying to grab him would be a risk for the Phillies.

However in 2008 when he was healthy, he posted a 2.17 ERA and totaled 21 holds.

Buchholz is 29 years old and has some time to recover from his surgery. After all, he played down the stretch last season.  

The Phillies obviously saw something good in him back when they drafted the native, and when healthy, I think he is still has potential.

8. Will Ohman

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SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 07: Pitcher Will Ohman #13 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Boston Red Sox during a Grapefruit League Spring Training Game at Ed Smith Stadium on March 7, 2010 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Will Ohman is a reliever from the Florida Marlins who posted a 3.27 ERA and posted 18 holds last season.

He is a guy who has been in the league for seven years and knows what he is doing. 

Ohman could be a solid option for the Phillies.

7. Re-Sign J.C Romero Or Chad Durbin?

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NEW YORK - JUNE 17: J.C. Romero #16 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees on June 17, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Well, I have to mention these guys.

Should the Phillies resign one, both, or neither?

Both pitchers were on the team when they won the 2008 World Series and at the time they were a couple of our main relievers.

Durbin was never offered arbitration so it seems to me that it is less likely for him come back.

As a personal opinion, I like both pitchers but I feel like they both can be streaky at times.

Since it already seems that Durbin won't be staying much longer, I would be interested in re-signing Romero.

He is one of our very few right handed relievers.

It will be very interesting to see the product of this scenario.

6. Pedro Feliciano

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Relief pitcher Pedro Feliciano #25 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 25, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mets won 5-2. (Photo by Hunt

I know, I know, he's on the Mets, but in all honesty he is not that bad.

Pedro Feliciano was a solid left handed reliever last year posting a 3.30 ERA and 23 holds.

There is not a whole lot that stands out about him, but Feliciano could be a solid option the Phillies could grab off of the free agent list.

5. Scott Downs

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NEW YORK - JULY 04: Scott Downs #37 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees on July 4, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Scott Downs has been a solid reliever in the MLB for the past several seasons.

In three out of the past four seasons, he has racked up more than 20 holds.

Last year, he recorded a 2.64 ERA and 26 holds. Not to mention his 0.99 WHIP.

WHIP is a very under rated statistic. It shows that he rarely has runners on base and most inning are a one, two, three.

I think Downs is one of the better options for the Phillies.

4. A Flashback Of Arthur Rhodes?

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PHOENIX - AUGUST 18: Relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes #53 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the Major League Baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 18, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Reds defeated the Diamondbacks 11-7.

Could it happen?

He may be old, but all I can say is look at the stats.

Last season he posted a 2.29 ERA along with 26 holds and just above a one in WHIP.

Don't be surprised if you see a blast from the past because Rhodes may just be one of the top relievers the Phillies will consider.

3. J.P. Howell

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NEW YORK - JUNE 19: J.P. Howell #39 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws a pitch against the New York Mets on June 19, 2009 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

J.P. Howell is one of the younger pitchers in this year's free agents that are relievers at age 27.

In Tampa Bay last year, Howell posted a 2.84 ERA and 17 saves.

He may be more of a closer, but Howell is on the younger side and could adapt to maybe a 7th inning guy or even the set up man once Madson is gone.

I feel like there should always be room for young talent. Especially for the left handers in which we need in our bullpen.

2. Jon Rauch

Jon Rauch is one of the three righties I included in the list.

Last season, Rauch's duty was to substitute for Joe Nathan and he did a great job.

He posted a 3.12 ERA and 21 saves when he was given the job as the closer.

I know we have Lidge, but he could be a backup plan just in case Lidge becomes inconsistent again or if he gets hurt again.

Madson has never proved he can be the backup closer when Lidge is gone. Sometimes he does good and others not.

Rauch has talent that can't be ignored and could be a nice option for Amaro to look at.

1. Dennys Reyes

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NEW YORK - JULY 29: Dennys Reyes #36 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the New York Mets on July 29, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Dennys Reyes ranks in at number one because there have been numerous reports that the Phillies have already inquired about him.

Last season, Reyes posted a 3.55 ERA and five holds.

Reyes is not the best of the relievers on the free agent list, but he is a decent option for the Phillies.

Most of the guys I stated earlier are more late relievers. Reyes could be your normal 6th or 7th inning guy.

As of now, it seems he is the most likely one to come to Philadelphia, but there are many other pitchers out on the market that the I think Amaro will try to acquire. 

Bonus Rumor: Zack Greinke To The Phillies?

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ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 11: Zack Greinke #23 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on August 11, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

That's right, Zack Greinke.

It's now all over the web. There are rumors flying around that the Phillies have considered former Cy Young award winner, Greinke.

On the CSN Philly website, it states that Amaro admitted that the Phillies were trying to "shoot for the moon" on deals.

According to the website, the Phillies would most likely have to deal Raul Ibanez or Joe Blanton along with some prospects.

However, the deal would most likely need a third team to be involved.

Man, could you imagine?

H2O and Zack Greinke.