The Philadelphia Phillies are always players when it comes to acquiring big time free agents. Would it be far-fetched to believe Josh Hamilton could land in Philadelphia?
The Phillies still need help in the outfield. They have traded for their needs as they made a deal for right-fielder Ben Revere and Michael Young at third. So they have some money left over.
Adding truth behind this rumoer is the fact that, after the 2013 season, guys like Chase Utley and Roy Halladay will no longer be on their payroll. If the Phillies re-sign them, their contracts will be for less money as both stars are in their mid-30's.
This leaves a door open for the Phillies, who need bodies in the outfield and could also use some power in their lineup.
Hamilton has been rumored to drawing interest from multiple teams this offseason. Of course, his own Texas Rangers are heavily in the mix along with the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and even the Milwaukee Brewers.
Analysts believe that a move outside of the Rangers organization will be tough for Hamilton as he is already comfortable playing in Texas. He is a family man and religion is said to influence his decision.
Seattle had a three-year deal ready for Hamilton last week, but from the looks of it, he preferred to wait for the Rangers to prepare a deal.
The Phillies can never be counted out from any rumors as they have a sneaky way of luring free agents. How they rose from the ashes to sign Cliff Lee is still fresh in people's minds. So if the Phillies pull it off, it should not surprise anybody.
Pushing the possibility that the Phillies could get a guy like Hamilton is Rangers' GM Jon Daniels interest in shaking the team's clubhouse up with new faces after their inability to win a World Series in the past three seasons.
The Rangers were in the show twice and missed the playoffs in 2012 after being robbed of the A.L. West by the Oakland Athletics and bounced from the A.L. Wild Card game by the Baltimore Orioles.
As the Rangers are looking to go further into the playoffs and win a championship, the Phillies are trying to work their way back into the playoff picture as the N.L. East has toughened up with the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves running the show.
Acquiring Josh Hamilton will automatically make the Phillies a favorite in the N.L. East division.
