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Philadelphia Phillies Off-Season Moves Big Yawn

Most fans hoped Philadelphia Phillies would make a big splash with a major free agent signing or big name in trade. Hasn't happened yet.

 

It's hard to get excited about the offseason moves by the Philadelphia Phillies so far.

After years in which the team picked up big names like Cliff Lee and Roy Halliday through big trades, Thursday's trade to acquire a centerfielder doesn't draw lots of excitement.

Where's the big free agent signing?

With a team that sputtered to .500 last year and didn't make the playoffs, Phillies fans expected General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. to make a big splash.

B.J. Upton. Michael Bourn. Josh Hamilton.

One of those names.

But now instead we have Ben Revere.

With unproven outfielders like Domonic Brown, Darrin Ruf and John Mayberry Jr., adding a youngster like Revere -- who may have all the potential in the world -- doesn't look like a stroke of genius.

Amaro may be banking on health to get his team back to its traditional playoff appearances.

Amaro may believe that picking up the young Minnesota Twins outfielder could be like when the Phils acquired a young, five-tool player named Bobby Abreu.

We had no idea that he would turn into a star. Besides, the Phillies needed a shot of youth and Revere could patrol centerfeld for the next four years.

The Phillies need a third baseman, a setup reliever and a power-hitting outfielder.

The trade for Revere -- while giving up pitcher Vance Worley and prospect Trevor May -- is cheap, with not much added to payroll on this high-priced team. That gives Amaro some flexibility.

There's talk that former Texas Rangers All-Star Michael Young could be added to play third base.

Who knows if that will happen and who knows how much Young will make a difference.

This team has a lot of questions for 2013.

Can Ryan Howard and Chase Utley rebound from injuries and get back to elite status? The same goes for Halliday. Can Lee return to top performance as a potential Cy Young candidate? Can catcher Carlos Ruiz come back from a 25-game suspension and play at the same level as last year? And can Ruf and Brown reach their potential?

Who knows.

Ben Revere could be the next Michael Bourn. Or he could play like Paul Revere.

The best bet for the Phillies that would make the fan base swoon?

Sign Josh Hamilton. And do it quickly.

Related Topics: Major League Baseball and Philadelphia Phillies

The Illuminati

9:23 am on Saturday, December 8, 2012

Agree completely. They need a proven big bat in the outfield. I do like Revere and I think he is going to be a great lead off guy, but they need a true 3 hole hitter to start moving people around the bases. Utley just isn't a 3 hole guy any more. Rollins is OK but strikes out too much to stick him at 3. This them needs a guy like Hamilton. I hope they can get it done.

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Mike Schmidt

11:49 am on Saturday, December 8, 2012

Josh Hamilton wants 7 years at 25 million per year, too much for a left handed bat with drug problems, get Michael Young to play thrid base until one of the minor leaguers is ready to play 3rd

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Charlie D.

12:29 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012

My prediction is that neither Utley or Howard start more than 50% of the regular season games.

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The Illuminati

1:07 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012

The problem is this team has no power at all. Howard is half the hitter he used to be and Utley should consider retiring. Ruf is a possible star but its still not known. They need some power badly.

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Ron Beitler

1:26 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012

I love the Revere move. Not a blockbuster but important deal. I think Michael Young deal prob gonna happen. Hamilton lets see if his price comes down.

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DJ

8:29 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012

Still ridiculous that they traded Victorino.

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Jonathan

11:53 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012

Michael Young is now a Phille :) Also, I heard they are still looking into Josh Hamilton.

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kevin

11:36 am on Monday, December 10, 2012

Any chance the Young signing was meant as bait to lure teammate Josh Hamilton? Convince him to take 3 or 4 years instead of 5 or 6? These guys played together for a long time in Texas.

Curmudgeon

12:29 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012

Revere won't lead off, selfish Jimmy Rollins won't have it. He runs the team, not Manuel. Don't forget, there is a ME in TEAM!!

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Jonm

12:26 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2012

"The Phillies need a third baseman, a setup reliever and a power-hitting outfielder."
Could not agree more. With out these improvements on the roster the team is only looking at a first round appearance in the postseason

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