I don't like Swisher's contract demands either. And he's probably going to get ~6/$100MM. Under other circumstances, I wouldn't bother with him or any of the other FA's in this year's highly-overvalued crop.

But the circumstances.

Halladay and Utley are in the last year of their contracts and it's possible that either or both could be very near the end of his/their careers. With the exception of Hamels and, arguably Papelbon, every one of the best players on the team -- Ruiz, Howard, Utley, Rollins, Halladay and Lee -- are now well into their 30's and past their prime.

I think you've got to go for it this year. The problem is it's a year filled with risky and/or overpriced FA's. But, if you're going to go for it, you're going to have to hold your nose and overpay. So the question is -- knowing that you're going to be overpaying -- where is your money best spent.

Upton's gone, Vic's apparently not an option and Bourn's game is so predicated on speed that he could turn into Juan Pierre overnight. Hamilton's just got too many risks.

I think if you asked anyone here whether they'd take Pagan and Swisher each on 2-year deals, Pagan at $11MM/yr. and Swisher at $16MM/yr., everyone would ask: "Where do I sign?" Swisher is consistently a 4+ WAR/yr. player and Pagan has averaged 3.5 WAR/yr. over the last 4 (although he's been very up and down). Of course it's possible you might be able to work a trade for a Crisp (and I'm on record repeatedly for Crisp) or Choo or Asdrubal Cabrera or somebody else. But, failing that, if you're talking the current FA crop, the 2 guys who probably best fill the Phils' needs and who stand to maintain their production over the next 2 or 3 years at least, are Pagan and Swisher.

The Nats have gotten better. The Braves have gotten better. This is no longer a roster where you can just tinker around the edges. The team needs an impact player or two. With the aging core and expiring contracts the Phils have, you either go for it this year -- with the full understanding that 4+ years down the road the Pagan and/or Swisher contracts could smell to high heaven -- or you might as well start the breakup of the team while they still have value.

JFLNYC wrote: The problem is it's a year filled with risky and/or overpriced FA's.

I think this is going to be the norm with FA from now on.

mlbtraderumors.com wrote:The Twins don't want to trade Josh Willingham but there are multiple teams interested in the leftfielder, according to Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN (via Twitter). An AL executive recently told Mackey that the club might not get much more than a No. 4 starter for Willingham, despite his team-friendly contract. Willingham is owed $14MM through 2014.

Would Kyle Kendrick qualify as a fourth starter? Anyway, I'd be ok with signing Pagan and trading for The Hammer. And signing Youk of course.

Rollins
Pagan
Utley
Howard
Willingham
Youkilis
Brown/Ruf
Ruiz

Kinda old but a pretty nice lineup nonetheless

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS

Ichiro said to be reaching out to other teams now (philly could be one). Belief strong he badly wants to stay w/ NYY tho.

Giants are also engaging Bourn and Victorino, might indicate they don't feel confident about Pagan

I'm sure he goes back there on his off days.

ek wrote:Some wip host last night was saying pagan wants back on the east coast to be closer to puerto rico

Pretty sure Clifton isn't going to like this influx of brown skinned guys. Probably why Wilton didn't happen.

Evidently, Phillies "checked in" on Chone Figgins.

Warszawa wrote:

mlbtraderumors.com wrote:The Twins don't want to trade Josh Willingham but there are multiple teams interested in the leftfielder, according to Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN (via Twitter). An AL executive recently told Mackey that the club might not get much more than a No. 4 starter for Willingham, despite his team-friendly contract. Willingham is owed $14MM through 2014.

Would Kyle Kendrick qualify as a fourth starter? Anyway, I'd be ok with signing Pagan and trading for The Hammer. And signing Youk of course.

Rollins
Pagan
Utley
Howard
Willingham
Youkilis
Brown/Ruf
Ruiz

Kinda old but a pretty nice lineup nonetheless

What about this variation


Ichiro
Pagan
Utley
Howard
Rollins
Youkilis
Brown/Ruf
Ruiz

I've wanted Willingham for a few years now. I would be ok with Pagan in CF and Willingham in LF.

ek wrote:They dont. there's a reason why 8 teams are connected to him and none are the phils

Source?

Doll Is Mine wrote:Evidently, Phillies "checked in" on Chone Figgins.

Why?! He blows. And at age 35 it's unlikely the decline will reverse. Plus he's due around 10 mil this year.

Phan In Phlorida wrote:

Doll Is Mine wrote:Evidently, Phillies "checked in" on Chone Figgins.

Why?! He blows. And at age 35 it's unlikely the decline will reverse. Plus he's due around 10 mil this year.

Which the Mariners are going to pay

Philly the Kid wrote:

Warszawa wrote:

mlbtraderumors.com wrote:The Twins don't want to trade Josh Willingham but there are multiple teams interested in the leftfielder, according to Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN (via Twitter). An AL executive recently told Mackey that the club might not get much more than a No. 4 starter for Willingham, despite his team-friendly contract. Willingham is owed $14MM through 2014.

Would Kyle Kendrick qualify as a fourth starter? Anyway, I'd be ok with signing Pagan and trading for The Hammer. And signing Youk of course.

Rollins
Pagan
Utley
Howard
Willingham
Youkilis
Brown/Ruf
Ruiz

Kinda old but a pretty nice lineup nonetheless

What about this variation


Ichiro
Pagan
Utley
Howard
Rollins
Youkilis
Brown/Ruf
Ruiz

Oof

Philly the Kid wrote:What about this variation


Ichiro
Pagan
Utley
Howard
Rollins
Youkilis
Brown/Ruf
Ruiz

Will they get an AARP healthcare discount?

Doll Is Mine wrote:Evidently, Phillies "checked in" on Chone Figgins.

"Hi, you're still Chone Figgins, right?"
"Yes"
*click*

ek wrote:

rolex wrote:

ek wrote:They dont. there's a reason why 8 teams are connected to him and none are the phils

Source?

one of the national writers on twitter the other day. had a slew of teams. no phils

Thanks

ek wrote:csnchicago says we are after youkulis

good

pagans and gods

ill take youk