Philadelphia Phillies Trade Rumors

NEW YORK - The Philadelphia Phillies are in a good position to make a trade, or sign a good free agent relief pitcher. Here’s a look at several hot names being talked about.

The Phillies are set to make make a move on a new third baseman, after Ruben Amaro said the team has not yet picked up Pedro Feliz' contract.

Feliz will make $5.5 million next season if the Phillies pick up his contract. (They pay Feliz $500,000 if he is released on Monday.)

There is talk the Phillies are looking at Angles’ third baseman Chone Figgins and Cardinals’ third baseman Mark DeRosa as replacements.

Figgins would give the Phillies a true leadoff hitter and DeRosa is a former Penn quarterback who is highly regarded as a leader, with some home run power.

Figgins would be expensive, but he is a switch hitter and excellent defensive player. Jimmy Rollins would then move down the seventh spot in the Phillies batting order.

Both Figgins and DeRosa are Type B free agents, meaning the Phillies don’t lose a draft pick if they sign them.

Another rumor picking up steam is the possible trade for Arizona star right hander Brandon Webb.

On Friday, the Diamondback picked up Webb’s contract option for $8.5 million for next season, and Webb said he will become a free agent after next season.

Webb only pitched once last year, and is rehabbing from a shoulder injury. He's a three-time All-Star who won the 2006 Cy Young award and won 22 games in 2008.

If Arizona knows it will lose Webb in 2011, he would possibly hit the trade market, and the Phillies have enough players to make a good offer.

Two bullpen free agents may also be on the Phillies radar: Rafael Soriano and Jose Valverde. Both are Type A free agents, which means the Phillies would need to give a first round pick to those teams.

The Tigers former closer Fernando Rodney, while injury prone, is a Type B free agent. Other options include Chad Bradford, Octavio Dotel and Glendon Rusch for bullpen depth.

Soriano, 29, had 27 saves for Atlanta last year and throws in the high 90 mph range.

Valverde, 31, throws just as hard and he had 25 saves for the Astros, with a 2.33 era.

The Phillies will have an extra $32 million to spend, because of $20 million in expired contracts and $12 million saved from Brett Myers’ 2009 salary.

If the Phillies cut Feliz, that would give the team an extra $5.5 million to spend. However, the Phillies would need to pay Jamie Moyer $8 million if he is released.

The team may also look for a utility player to replace Eric Bruntlett and Miguel Cairo.

The Phillies will also try to resign Cliff Lee to a long-term deal, so a large chuck of that money could go to Lee.

Carlos Ruiz is also due for a hefty arbitration raise.

But the Phillies should have enough money to sign at least two high-quality free agents.

Other Phillies free agents aside from Myers include Pedro Martinez, Scott Eyre, Paul Bako and Chan Ho Park.