Polanco

Hello boys and girls, did you miss me? I didn't think so. Well I've been busy these past couple of weeks, but I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things, especially with the MLB Winter Meetings starting today. The serious trade rumors are going to start flying. Deals will be made, star players will find new homes, and most likely the Mets will do something stupid. Anywho!
One early deal that I was surprised to see get done was the Philadelphia Phillies signing Placido Polanco, a player they had from 2002-2005. Eventually Polly had to be moved to make room for slugging second-baseman Chase Utley, and no one in his/her right mind can say that was a mistake. But the Phightin' Phils aren't bringing back Polanco to play second-base, nor to be a utility backup. Instead they are asking Polanco to move positions and be their everyday third-baseman.
This is odd for a few reasons. First, this deal happened very early in the off-season. Ever since the recession has hit, Major League general managers have been wary to pull the trigger on any big deal too early. Instead, most GM have been content to play the waiting game and find the best possible deal toward the end of December, or mid-January. Heck, some teams even wait until February to bring in a key component.
Second, although this free-agent class is not the most dynamic, there are many viable options at several positions. Aside from Jason Bay and Matt Holliday, there are some good outfielders milling around. #2 or #3 starting pitchers are plentiful. But third-base is practically overflowing! Probably topping that list are Adrian Beltre, Chone Figgins, Mark DeRosa, Troy Glaus, Joe Crede, maybe even Melvin Mora, and there is talk that Miguel Tejada will most likely make a move to third. Not to mention several other candidates.
Third, Polanco hasn't played third-base since 2005, and hasn't been called upon to man third-base regularly since his 2002 season with the St. Louis Cardinals. I'm sure Polanco can remember how to play it, and since he has been a stellar defensive player for a number of years, having earned three Gold Gloves at second, there isn't too much worry that he can handle the adjustment. But it is still an adjustment.
Now there are some positives to this deal as well. First, Polanco will be 34 next season, so he's not exactly over-the-hill yet. Second, the Phils know Polanco, having maintained his services in the past. He's played with Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Shane Victorino, so there is some familiarity there, which is nice. Third, Placido has been a quality at-bat for many years, having compiled a life-time average of .303 while striking out only 391 times in over 5500 ABs. And the deal the Phillies signed isn't terrible. It's a three-year deal worth $18 million, with a mutual option for 2013. Most of the top third-base free agents wouldn't have come that cheaply.
Still there is a question of where Polanco will fit into the lineup. He's been a #2 hitter primarily in the past. But he'll probably fit in as a seven-hole hitter behind Jayson Werth with Philly. Had the Phils signed, let's say Figgins, they probably would've put him in lead-off, moving Rollins to the two-hole (utilizing his power a bit more) and moving Victorino to the seventh spot. I doubt they will move Victorino for Polanco, though.
As with most things, time will tell if this was the right call for the Phils to make. Polanco may go on to win a Gold Glove at third-base too, and continue to put up a great average on a great team. Age, a new position, and a new hitting spot may all be too much change for Polly though. We'll just have to watch the games to see.