What is the most important postion the phillies should go after in free agency?
967384
The "BEERMAN."\nThe one they had this year was pretty lame and over the hill.\nIt's the most important position in the stadium.\n\n\n\n\n.
479764
If you're desparate for someone at third, go for it, but chances are pretty good that there's someone else available. Wiggington has a little power. He hit 17 home runs in 2004 and 7 in 155 AB's last year. And he's entering the prime of his career. And it's Tampa Bay. They're not exactly overrun with talent. When Huff comes back they'll find a place to play Wiggington. So he'll probably get you some home runs and a few RBI since he's batting clean up. But he's not that talented of a ball player overall. His AVG will probably hurt you and he doesn't get on base enough to score runs, even if TB had anyone batting behind him to knock him in. He capable of 25 homers this year, but that probably doesn't make up for the rest of his drawbacks.
200831
People say get Albert Pujols or Johan Santana. I disagree. In a 14-team league, skill positions are going to go very fast. Go for the shallow positions early. That means your first pick should be A-Rod or Miguel Cabrera, not Pujols. You will have plenty of time to pick a first baseman. In the second round, consider Victor Martinez or Michael Young, if available. That would give you two players at harder to fill positions, which should help. Also, be mindful of when the closer run starts. You will need at least two closers to compete. Some teams will get one-- or none. Those teams aren't going to do well in saves. With that in mind, you might consider Brad Lidge or Mariano Rivera in the 2nd or 3rd rounds, just so you can get SOMEBODY who is good. Just make sure you don't waste any of your picks, because once you pick in the 3rd round you won't get another pick until 24 more guys have gone off the board. Good luck!
196474
The best move of the offseason will be Josh Beckett to the Red Sox.  He is a big game pitcher built for pitching in the AL East.  Burnett for the Jays could be huge too, but provided no blister problems, Beckett could win 20, throw 220, and strikeout 220 batters this year.  \n\nThe Jays definitely helped themselves the most.  Burnett, Ryan, Overbay, and Glaus are huge upgrades.
157913
My best guess will be John Flaherty\n\nThere are three potential choices on the roster in Ken Huckaby, John Flaherty, and Josh Bard.\n\nKen Huckaby is, quite likely, the best defensive catcher of the three. He has a very good SB Caught percentage, and there has to be a reason he has stayed around as long as he has. However, he has some problems. Namely, he is a horrific hitter. The best hit he ever had was when he hurt Derek Jeter (not in a good way, but contact wise). Seriously, if he gets 120-150 plate appearences, he will hurt this team severely at the plate. \n\nJosh Bard is the second choice. He's far younger (28) then Huckaby (35) or Flaherty (38). He was received in trade from the Indians in the Crisp/Marte swap. Like Varitek, he's a switch-hitter, but he isn't nearly as competent in hitting as Flaherty. He's cheap, and I'm guessing he's not out of options, so they could send him to Pawtucket.\n\nFlaherty really has nothing over Bard. He's older (well, that may not be bad for a backup), he isn't as good defensively or offensively, and the Yankees wouldn't even take him as a backup.\n\nWhy do I say Flaherty then? They signed him to a deal, either 650k or 850k, and I don't think they'll waste that in AAA if Flaherty competes with the other two.\n\nThis is all assuming they don't use Tek there. I don't think they will, he plate is already full enough, and he took a sharp decline in September even when he got every 5th game off. Making him play every game would simply hurt him too much.
704278
The free agent market is not going to help the Giants much offensively. They are going to have to get creative via trading. They have a decent farm system again and a ton of money to sign players to long term contracts after completing trades. The two players they should target in trades are Miguel Cabrera and Aaron Rowand. Cabrera slides into the LF slot (or 3B) and Rowand plays a solid CF. They seem committed to Kevin Frandsen at 2B, and might make a play for Rich Aurilia to play 1B (or 3B). Randy Winn and Omar Vizquel round out the starters. If they resign any of their position players it will be Pedro Feliz or Shea Hillenbrand.\n\nBetween Bonds and Schmidt, they might be more inclined to sign Schmidt, since finding a top of the rotation starter is far more difficult thana 30 HR outfielder. I've also heard rumors of Ted Lilly and Jeff Suppan, but the Giants already have a bunch of #3-#5 starters and don't need 2 more. Flush with cash they should make a play for Barry Zito and either Lilly or Suppan. Rotation is now Zito, Lowry, Cain, Morris and Lilly/Suppan.\n\nBonds is Bonds, the Giants would do well to make a token offer and then say goodbye and let him play the market. When no one signs him, then they can make another, lower offer if they need to.
1175639
I would definately grab Billingsley. He's one of the top pitching prospects in LA since Fernando Valenzuela. He has a 96 MPH fastball, a sick sider and a good curveball. He's got tremendous strikeout potential and is on a solid Dodger's club that will provide wins.\n\nOf course, he's only 21, and he could be erratic early in his career, much like Cole Hamels, but his upside is definately well worth the risk. \n\nAs for who to drop, Gil Meche has been surprisingly good, throwing a complete game his last time out, so I would definately hold onto him. Between Davis and Snell, either of them could be dropped. They are both decent pitchers, with potential to be very good but so far they havent shown it, so you can live without either of them. \n\nUm... I think I answered this same question like an hour ago.
362501
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
603240
How can I pick just one? Big Papi would be the first to come to mind - along with Varitek. Wily Mo is my favorite new addition. I followed him in Cincinnati and I think he'll be a major contributor in the near future. Since he's been in the Sox lineup I think his plate discipline had improved dramatically.
779153
Not to be the Center Fielder, we got Grady Sizemore but they\nshould go after Greg Maddux or Ted Lilly.  They can use Josh\nBarfield as the leadoff hitter.
745893
There will be a big push to sign Soriano; could either replace Valentin at 2nd or Floyd in left.  Not too many quality 2nd baseman on the FA market - Loretta or Ray Durham may be a 2nd/3rd choice.\n\nMets could go after any number of outfielders to replace Floyd in left.  I like Gary Matthews Jr for his defense and breakout offensive year and/or hone Chavez to be an everyday player.  I think Milledge will be dangled in a trade for a front-line pitcher - Glavine might be headed back to Atlanta for his 300th win.  Heilman may be on his way out also.  \n\nZito is a proven winner and might be worth the gamble, all depends on how well the shoulder surgery went.  I like Brad Radke, Twins, Jeff Suppan, Cards, and Eaton and Padilla of the Rangers.  Mets need to work on a healthier rotation in 2007.  The rest of the position players are pretty well set - not sure about Shawn Green in rightfield.\n\nJust don't understand Billy Wagner's performance in the playoffs!?  It seemed like he was throwing 400 ft softballs.
1140082
First order of business is the bullpen.  They have blown so many situations for the starters.  Until you get bullpen help whether it be via trade or farm system there isn't much hope.  I think the it is the achilles heel of the team.  You have two solid startes in Smoltz and Hudson, while Ramirez has been flashing signs of goodness.  Starters are not their weakness and neither is the lineup, it is the pen!!!
1161986
Get their key players back from injury. Put Kerry Wood in the bullpen. Trading for Soriano may help. I can't see that there's any pitching help on the horizon. I think the Cubs may give up on the season soon and start trading away players instead of trying to pick up help.
1162391
1b - Ryan Howard has good potential. Good power, good BA,  low RBI production for those HRs though, mostly because he KOs WAY too much. Howard needs to learn how to take a walk and cut his KOs in half and he'd be a really dangerous hitter. He's young but unproven. \n\n2b -  Chase Utley rocked in 2005. If that's a good indication of what he can do the Phillies are set at 2b. A bit of power 100+ RBI, 15+ SB with almost no caught stealing. Damn good for a second baseman.  Approaching his prime, the Phils should be set at second for a long time to come. \n\nSS -  Rollins, good glove, young, good speed, solid bat. The Phils are set for a long time at short. \n\n3b - Bell in his prime was more of a filler kind of player. Now in his mid-30s and in decline the Phils need to upgrade at third. Nobody is burning it up in the minors.  Scales is the only one showing real progress. Moving  RBI production for those HRs though, mostly because he KOs WAY too much. Howard needs to learn how to take a walk and cut his KOs in half and he'd be a really dangerous hitter. He's young but unproven. \n\n2b -  Chase Utley rocked in 2005. If that's a good indication of what he can do the Phillies are set at 2b. A bit of power 100+ RBI, 15+ SB with almost no caught stealing. Damn good for a second baseman.  Approaching his prime, the Phils should be set at second for a long time to come. \n\nSS -  Rollins, good glove, young, good speed, solid bat. The Phils are set for a long time at short. \n\n3b - Bell in his prime was more of a filler kind of player. Now in his mid-30s and in decline the Phils need to upgrade at third. Nobody is burning it up in the minors.  Scales is the only one showing real progress. Moving  RBI production for those HRs though, mostly because he KOs WAY too much. Howard needs to learn how to take a walk and cut his KOs in half and he'd be a really dangerous hitter. He's young but unproven. \n\n2b -  Chase Utley rocked in 2005. If that's a good indication of what he can do the Phillies are set at 2b. A bit of power 100+ RBI, 15+ SB with almost no caught stealing. Damn good for a second baseman.  Approaching his prime, the Phils should be set at second for a long time to come. \n\nSS -  Rollins, good glove, young, good speed, solid bat. The Phils are set for a long time at short. \n\n3b - Bell in his prime was more of a filler kind of player. Now in his mid-30s and in decline the Phils need to upgrade at third. Nobody is burning it up in the minors.  Scales is the only one showing real progress. Moving Lieberthal to third might be a good option. Lieberthal has the bat and the arm. Moving out form behind the plate might keep him healthy. Moving Joe Thurston to third might also be an option. Not many thirdbaseman that would be a major help likely to be availible any time soon. \n\nC - Lieberthal has always been a great hitter for a catcher, handled pitchers well and was respectable with the glove. Injuries however have caught up with him and his future behind the plate seems dim. Carlos Ruiz shows promise but way too early to call him a successor.  If Ruiz or Coste cannot come up to speed the Phils might have to look to outside talent.  Pudge might be a perfect fit here. \n\nRF - Abreu for most of the last several years has been one of the most underated players in Baseball. Only 32 he seems to be showing rapid signs of decline though. So the Phils need to be looking for a new RF for the 2008 season most likely. \n\nCF - Rowand can be a major star, he's still proving that he can consistantly be such. If he lives up to his 04 season the Phils are set for quite a while in Center. \n\nLF - Burell is an enigma. Remove 03 and 04 and he'd be a superstar in the making. 03 and 04 were pretty miserable. \n\nSP - Meyers looks like he's a future 20 game winner. Liddle and Lieber are likely too old to be around for long or effective. There are some promising youngsters. Pitching is a big problem for t
585859
Well you have to understand what positions you are lacking in and sign some young fresh players that are hitting well, some pitchers would be heilman, lirano, tomko, and lieber. Some batters would be brossard, hanley ramirez, and brad wilkerson is starting to get hot. That or you can wait it out, but if you want to be a competitor i would recomend you start signing!
1098202
I picked up Zimmerman when Pujols went on the DL. He's very consistent and with Soriano ahead of him, he gets plenty of chances at knocking him in.....Over long term course of the season, he's the better choice, imo.
575920
Out of that bunch, you may be best served trading Randy Johnson and Ryan Dempster. You have two strikeout guys in Santana and Kazmir and occasionally a third with Buehrle. \n\nGetting a taker for Johnson should be easy, look for a younger starter like SF's Noah Lowry, or Anaheim's John Lackey or Washington's John Patterson. I know Patterson is injured now and won't be back for another two weeks, but he looks like a keeper.\n\nIf you package Chipper and maybe Beltran for a superstar outfielder, that may also work.