Two more names were added to the free agent list as JC Romero and Antonio Alfonseca filed today. The team has been on record stating they hope to retain both relievers. On the free market, Romero is likely to warrant a hefty paycheck after posting great number with the Phillies. His lack of control and consistency year to year may make him a little more affordable but with the scarcity of left handed pitching available he could be a hot commodity. Alfonseca showed that he can pitch a full season without getting injured however was tired at times and his lack of fitness hurt him down the stretch. He may price himself out of Philadelphia as he may get offered more money elsewhere than the Phillies perceive he is worth.

Romero was such a big part of the Phillies success down the stretch that the team really needs to pay to keep him. The fear in this however is the fact that the Phillies could pay him and he could have a 6.70 era like he did in 2006 with the Angels. Which ever way they go, there could be a lot of second guessing.

Alfonseca is less of a priority. He had times when he was great and other times when he frustrated the Philly faithful. He should only be considered a 6th or possibly 7th inning pitcher and if the price for him is not in line with this role, the team can do as well or better elsewhere.

The pair makes the list of Phillies free agents total six. Kyle Lohse, Rod Barajas, Tadahito Iguchi and Freddy Garcia are all expected to declare
by the November 8th deadline. Of the entire group Aaron Rowand and Romero are the only two the team really needs to retain to ensure they do not move backwards before moving forward.

The Phillies had a two day organizational meeting at Citizens Bank Park including major and minor league coaches, scouts, instructors, and athletic trainers. Every player on both the major and minor league rosters were discussed and the scouts and player development compared notes about recently signed players. They also reviewed their needs for 2008 and the potential free agents available.

As everyone who follows the Phillies surmised, they realized the number one need as pitching followed by third base and the outfield. No surprises here so the hope is that they are able to execute their plans.

Other items discussed were international baseball, the scouting grading system, the contract signing process including negotiations with draftees and the college scholarship program, and general business operations. The athletic trainers also met to discuss injuries and protocols. It would be interesting to learn if they figured out why so many of the teams pitchers were injured and why the organization has had so many pitchers need Tommy John surgery.

With the organizational meeting behind them, the staff can move forward with a productive off season for both the major league roster and the minor league player development.

Aaron Rowand topped the list of Phillies filing for free agency. Jon Lieber, Jose Mesa and Abraham Nunez also filed on the first day. There are 10 eligible players for free agency and the Phillies have said they are parting ways with Freddie Garcia so he will not be returning.

Rowand is seeking a six year deal for $85 million while the Phillies are hoping he will settle for 3 years $33 million. Although the gap seems large, the Phillies appear committed to bringing him back. With his desire to return, it would not be surprising if the Phillies meet him in the middle and retain his services. Their are several big name center fielders on the market including Andruw Jones, Tori Hunter, and Mike Cameron which may keep another team from offering Rowand an offer he can not refuse and the Phillies can not or will not match.

Other players of interest that filed for free agency today include infielder Mark Loretta, starting pitcher Carlos Silva and closers Francisco
Cordero and Mariano Rivera. Loretta is of no interest to the Philles. Silva could be targeted to return to Philadelphia but hopefully the Phillies will look for someone that is more of an upgrade. Cordero and Rivera would be welcome upgrades for the back end of the bullpen with Rivera being the favorite. If this happens Brett Myers may be moved to the starting rotation which would fill two holes with one move.

Not mentioned above was Alex Rodriguez who opted out of his contract. He is not an option for the Phillies budget and probably would have no interest in Philadelphia even if the team was interested.

Stay tuned as more free agents will be filing. Each will be discussed in this blog.

Update: 10/31/07

Mike Cameron was suspended for 25 games in 2008 for testing positive for some sort of stimulant. This may effect the free agency market for center fielders and raise Aaron Rowand’s price. Let us hope that the Phillies and Rowand can come to an agreement quickly or the Phillies can execute a good back up plan.

No team in MLB can can tout a more potent offense at first base, second base, and shortstop like the Phillies can. With such an offensive advantage at these positions, it would only make sense that the team would also have a potent outfield. The outfield is usually where teams best hitters play. That was not the case in 2007 for the Phillies. Although Pat Burrell ended up with respectable numbers, he had times in the season where he was put on the bench and was very inconsistent. Aaron Rowand had a career year in center field and was the bright spot in the outfield. Right field was manned primarily by Shane Victorino who was serviceable but far from exceptional when you look at his numbers. Jason Werth and Michael Bourn were good off the bench.  But where is the big name outfielder that make pitchers tremble when they step up to the plate?

With Aaron Rowand’s future in Philadelphia in question due to free agency and with the possibility of Shane Victorino being traded for pitching help, what will the Phillies outfield look like in 2008? Assuming Burrell is not traded he will remain the starting left fielder. If Aaron Rowand and Shane Victorino leave, Michael Bourn could become the starting center fielder and hit in the lead off or second position. The tough thing about Bourn hitting second though is that he is left handed and would be followed by Utley and Howard, two more left handers. If this is the case, the Phillies need to sign or trade for a power hitting right handed right fielder. In order to bring potency back to the outfield, they will need a player that can hit at least .280, hit 30 homeruns, and drive in 100+ runs. This all sounds good on paper. Where do the Phillies find such a player? Should they take a look at Tori Hunter or Andrew Jones? Is it better for them to retain Aaron Rowand, even if he is overpriced and may warrant more years then the Phillies want to give him? What other options are out there? We will continue to look at this hot stove item through the next couple of months and discuss the best options for the team.

What the Phillies should not do is have two base stealing prototypical lead off hitters in their outfield like the scenario of Victorino and Bourn. If Jimmy Rollins is your lead off hitter, one additional player of this type is sufficient. The other outfielder then needs to be someone who can drive these guys home. This other player also needs to be right handed or a switch hitter to bring balance to this left handed line up. As everyone saw when they playoffs came, left handed pitching silenced this line up. Although pitching is on the top of the Phillies wish list, filling the outfield with potent hitters needs to be as much of a priority.

The Phillies have said that they are likely to trade for a starting pitcher and that more than likely the player they deal will come from their 25 man roster. Narrow down the possible choices to trade. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins are untouchable. Wes Helms would not net the quality starter the team is looking for and Pat Burrell has a full no trade clause and a hefty contract. This leaves Carlos Ruiz, Jason Werth, Michael Bourn, and Shane Victorino. Of these four, Werth has been injury prone and Michael Bourn is unproven. The two may not be hot commodities. This leaves Ruiz and Victorino. Ruiz may be able to net a return in pitching but this would leave the Phillies depleted at catcher with unproven rookie Jason Jaramillo and Chris Coste. This leaves Shane Victorino as the most logical trade bait this off season.

Examine this further though. If Aaron Rowand does not return and Victorino is traded, the Phillies outfield would consist of Pat Burrell, Michael Bourn, and Jason Werth. Pat Gillick referred to the trio of Victorino, Bourn, and Werth as a "stretch" to play center and right fields due to their injury history and inexperience. The debate about a free agency signing in the outfield is for a separate discussion. But even so, should the Phillies trade Shane Victorino? His statistics in 2007 were .281 average with 12 home runs 37 stolen bases in 456 at bats. These are not all star stats but Shane brings more to the team than this. His energy, defense, and arm are all things to be considered when moving him out of the Phillies line up.

If he could net a top of the rotation starter a trade may make sense. With pitching as scarce as it is, however, what does Shane Victorino really net? A pitcher at the level of Kyle Lohse? If so, trading Victorino could be a big mistake leaving a hole and having a starting rotation not too different than the one they had in 2007. An upgrade is needed in the starting pitching. If a pitcher at the level of Kyle Lohse is proposed in a trade, hold onto Victorino and spend the money on the free agent market.