The Philadelphia Phillies have reached out to the Texas Rangers for a possible trade involving Andruw Jones, according to a few online sources and Chris DiFrancesco, a fellow Bleacher Report writer.
This comes just a day after the news of Geoff Jenkins' release from the Phillies.
Gary Sheffield was also released yesterday from Detroit. Hours after his release, news broke that the Phillies had been in contact with Sheffield's agent.
All of this late-offseason action comes as a surprise to many Phillies fans, myself included. But looking at the possibilities of trading for Jones or signing Sheffield are puzzling.
Jones would be looking for a chance to start. Bringing him in and having to give something else up for him doesn't make much sense.
The only place Jones could possibly fit would be in right field, yet that would mean Jayson Werth would have to sit another year on the bench, something he may not be willing to do.
Plus, I would rather see Werth in right than Jones.
If there is any chance of getting Jones to play in a limited role, the addition could turn out to be very valuable. Yet I don't see Jones agreeing to that.
Sheffield, on the other hand, would likely agree to a more limited role. He has recently said he could be satisfied with 200 at-bats, something the Phillies could give him.
Yet, because of that, I'm not sure I would want him in the outfield, either.
Over the past day, I've come to believe he's all about the elusive 500th home run. He appeared more rattled by the fact that he was released with one home run to go than he did being released from a team.
Sheffield wanting only around 200 at-bats signals that his main concern is one more home run and a little more playing time.
These Phillies are a team that will not let anyone step out of line and say the wrong things. Charlie Manuel won't let it happen, and none of Sheffield's possible teammates would, either. The benching of Jimmy Rollins and the confrontation with Brett Myers are prime examples to Manuel's tolerance with rule-breakers.
Sheffield could possibly adapt into more of a team player in this kind of team, but that possibility is unlikely. It may be smarter to go in a different direction rather than bring his baggage to Philadelphia.
So when it comes down to it, who is the better fit for Philadelphia?
Who is the more realistic possibility? Jones or Sheffield?
Neither.
Sheffield brings too much baggage along with him, and his attitude in the clubhouse may be a problem. All he wants is home run No. 500. Who knows if he will give up after that.
There may be room for him on the bench, but this is not his type of team; it would not be worth it.
As for Jones, he hasn't shown any signs of his old superstar self. The likelihood of him shooting back to stardom would be very small, especially in the little playing time he would get.
Unless he took Jayson Werth's spot, that is.
Yet if it leads to that, I would have just preferred keeping Werth in the outfield over Jones.
Also, you would have to actually give something up to get Jones. There is no telling as to how much that would have to be, but it wouldn't just be some small prospect.
If I had to choose one player to bring in, it would be Jones, but neither is a great fit or even a real possibility, I believe.
There is too much that comes along with each player. There may not be enough value that comes out of either Jones or Sheffield for the baggage they bring.
Werth's job might be at risk if Jones comes along, and Sheffield could very well give up once he reaches home run No. 500. There is no solid reasoning to acquire either of these right-handed bats, other than the fact that they are right-handed.
Just stick to your guns. Go with the man Jones or Sheffield would replace—Miguel Cairo, who is also a right-handed hitter—and see what happens. If he does not work out, then look into the possibilities with Sheffield and Jones.
For now, let's not waste money or give away players just for a need we may not end up needing after all.
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