Yesterday we talked about the Phillies and potential bullpen acquisitions. Today, we'll talk third base, a position that Philly hasn't had a long-term answer at since, well unless Scott Rolen coutns, not in my lifetime.  Pedro Feliz's $5.5 Million option for 2010 has been declined so the position is open to be filled this offseason.  Let's look at the present contenders for the job:

Pedro Feliz

Happy Pete's time in Philly certainly had its high and low moments.  Pedro was a terrific defender from start to finish during his tenure but he didn't deliver the offensive goods that the front office was looking for.  Pedro's average was consistent along with his career marks, as was his on-base percentage.  However, the slugging just wasn't there and other than the defense that's why he was brought in.  After peppering 20 home runs a season four straight years in San Francisco where he played half his games in a pitcher's park, he only hit 14 & 12 runs respectively in his two years in Philly and a hitter-friendly park.  Now at 35, Feliz can't be counted on for his power and the defense will only continue to slip.  Amaro has said he will consider bringing Feliz back but only for less than the $5.5 million price tag they already rejected.  Personally, I think Pedro's time in Philly is up.  It's been great, we got a World Series title and Pedro played a solid role in that.  He had some big hits and made some great defensive plays, but I believe the road will end here.

Chone Figgins

Chone has generated quite a stock going into this offseason and should receive a real nice payday.  Despite all of Chone's abilities on the field, his coming contract may be reason alone that he's out of the Phillies plans.  Chone runs and fields and hits for a solid average and would do well table setting in our offense, but then what happens to J-Roll or Shane at the top of the lineup?  Is that a hornet's nest worth kicking with Jimmy?  I don't know, I think Charlie would be able to handle it.  Regardless, I don't think this road is one we'll be traveling so there's no more reason to look down it.

Mark DeRosa

Being a Penn Baseball guy, I've got no choice but to back Marky Mark and encourage brining him in this offseason.  Mark's 35 now, but he's put together his best years over the past three seasons.  Maybe it was due to a full slate of playing time, maybe he found a new hitting coach or stance, maybe he got a new girlfriend, I don't know, I don't care.  Now, how does he fit in in Philly?  Firstly in his favor is that the front office is a Good Old Boys network of former Penn and Wharton grads so I'm sure they've got a soft spot for DeRosa.  Secondly, he demonstrated a willingness and capability to play nearly any position on the field the last few seasons.  Right now, I think DeRosa is the number one contender for the job.  However, I have mixed feelings about Mark playing 3B everyday.  Not because he can't do it, but because he is such an exceptional super-utility guy.  In a perfect world, I think signing DeRosa and a guy to platoon with him would be the smart play.  Then, Mark could fill in all around the field for the inevitable injuries.  Raul is an old guy and will be spending some time on the DL, Chase seems to always be playing hurt, Shane might (probably will) knick something while flying around the field.  You get the picture.  More on this at the end of the look-in.

Placido Polanco

My immediate thought, no. Polanco is a second baseman who has indicated a willingness to switch to third full-time.  He's fresh off a gold glove campaign, but as Rob Neyer noted the other day, he won it more on merit and less on being exceptional.  Placido is a classically good hitter, but I don't see him lasting another 2-3 years at his current level of play.  I'm not sure why, but I can't see him as an everyday guy on this squad anymore.  He played here from '02 to '05 so the team is familiar and comfortable with him.  However, considering Polanco's abilities, does his fit in with the current team?  Polanco would be a bottom of the order, 7 or 8 slot hitter.  Considering that, who would he be table-setting for?  Chuuch.  Who would he be moving runners into scoring position for?  The pitcher.  However, it's more complicated than that.  For a guy batting after Utley-Howard-Werth-Ibanez, the team needs a solid hitter to clean up whatever base runners sneak through those cracks.  Polanco has smacked at least 30 doubles the past three season despite the fact that he's not a power guy.  I'm still not sold on him as the best option, but Placido has his merits should the front office bring him aboard.

Adrian Beltre

For this breakdown, I want to jump over to Lookout Landing, a Mariners blog, for their take on Adrian in '09: "Adrian Beltre didn't have a resurgent 2004-esque season to finally get the adoration that his defense has deserved for so long. Instead, he struggled as much as ever and battled serious injuries all season. He even suffered the ignominy of a ruptured/shattered/ohmygodIhavetostopthinkingaboutit testicle caused by his own tragic insistence on not wearing proper protection on the field. Did I mention that he finished the game in which that injury occurred? And that he played through immensely painful bone spurs in his shoulder? Adrian Beltre appears fun loving from his mocking of Griffey and dancing to his own introduction music. He has quirky histrionics at the plate including his own appeals and a shuffle dance at breaking pitches. He's an art form with the glove. Who cannot relate to the person with an under heralded talent they feel is not appreciated enough? And he gives it all, every last drop, on the field. More than maybe any player aside from Ichiro, Beltre deserves appreciation from local fans for his combination of skills and effort. I just want to meet him in person so I can give him a big hug and let him know that some of us, not just Red, think he’s awesome."  If that doesn't sound like guy you want on your team, then you obviously have issues reading in italics.  Beltre is an exceptional fielder, even compared to Pedro, and hits much better than our happy third basemen ever did.  Post an injury riddled '09 is a great time to sign a guy because he should definitely come at some discount.  I think Beltre earned a strange reputation after he came back to earth from his incredible 2004 season and the fact that he's been in the league for 12 seasons already, but he's established himself as a good, reliable player.  Beltre is my choice for the role, but it may come down to a monetary decision.  He's coming off a big contract that should slide downward some, but having Scott Boras as his agent, well you know...

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