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Report: Ruben Amaro is Interested in Every Big-Name Free Agent Out There
By Kyle Scott
Published:
Let’s fire up the rumor mill. Turn the cranks, put the heat on, get cases of liquor and warm holiday somethings, because it’s Hot Stove season and Ruben Amaro is getting ready to blow some money on aging players while neglecting his bullpen and bench.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports (probably because Amaro told him) that the Phillies are interested in…
The Phillies are targeting big-time free-agent outfielders and baseball people expect them to be in the mix for Jacoby Ellsbury, Shin-Soo Choo, Nelson Cruz and possibly Curtis Granderson.
The Phillies have long been interested in Marlins star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, but there’s no evidence to this point Miami would consider trading him.
The Phillies have a team built around superior starting pitching and veteran infielders but have a clear weakness in the outfield, where they got subpar production this past year. One person familair with their situation said they were even prepared to try to bring back Hunter Pence, who signed back with the Giants for $90 million.
That may show their level of interest in the position because they didn’t hesitate to trade Pence in the summer of 2012.
It’s too early to start breaking these down, but basically, Amaro is INTERESTED IN EVERYBODY HE’S HEARD OF OR WHO WAS ON TV ONCE. Something tells me that Nelson Cruz, at 33, and Jacoby Ellsbury are his top two targets. Cruz is a power guy who doesn’t get on base a lot, strikes out a lot, but hits for power and is about two years past his prime and declining. Ruben loves those sorts of guys.
And then there’s Ellsbury, who just won a World Series, was on FOX all month and played next to Shane Victorino, so Amaro certainly has interest in him because Amaro likes things that are familiar or resonate. Ellsbury is only 30, but terribly inconsistent and an injury risk. And he’s exactly the sort of guy Amaro would overpay. I can’t wait!
And I’m just ignoring that Pence thing.
Kyle Scott is the founder and editor of CrossingBroad.com. He has written for CBS Philly and Philly Voice, and been a panelist or contributor on NBC Sports Philly, FOX 29 and SNY TV, as well as a recurring guest on 97.5 The Fanatic, 94 WIP, 106.7 The Fan and other stations. He has more than 10 years experience running digital media properties and in online advertising and marketing.