Phillies in the market for lefthanded relief, righthanded bat at winter meetings

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The table was littered with papers, a counter near the bathroom was stocked high with boxes of snacks. Members of the Phillies' baseball operations staff sat on chairs or couches to form the makeshift base of operations in a suite at the Dolphin Hotel, where this week's winter meetings are being held.

Ruben Amaro Jr. would like everyone to think not much is going on in the room. The Phillies, he said, are still prioritizing bullpen help over acquiring an outfielder to lessen the sting of losing Jayson Werth to Washington in free agency.

Domonic Brown may not be a part of a possible outfield platoon, Amaro suggested, because he might need more minor-league time.

Any move, the GM said, likely would not come this week. "I think it's going to be fairly quiet for us," Amaro said.

Of course, Amaro said something similar last winter shortly before acquiring Roy Halladay in a blockbuster trade.

This time, the Phillies are at least testing the temperature of the market. They are far from the only team here interested in a righthanded outfield bat and a lefthanded reliever - and many options exist. In a players' market, where hefty contracts are frequently being handed out, the most prudent action could be patience.

Given that, the New York Daily News reported that the Phillies were expected to meet with free agent Jeff Francoeur's agent, Keith Grunewald, sometime during the meetings. The Phillies expressed interest in Francoeur long before the meetings began, but he is just one possibility for a platoon in right field. Scott Hairston and Matt Diaz are among the others.

The Nationals are reportedly shopping Josh Willingham, who could exactly fit the Phillies' needs, but the price and interest in a possible trade are unknown. The Los Angeles Times reported that the Phillies could be interested in a trade for Angels outfielder Juan Rivera. Amaro did hint at there being more players available via trade than he expected.

But Amaro stressed that the Phillies are still debating whether any of the free-agent options offer more than Ben Francisco.

"That's the trick," Amaro said.

Interestingly enough, Amaro mentioned Ross Gload as a possible lefthanded platoon partner but not Brown. The Phillies' top prospect recently returned to the United States after a sluggish nine-game stint in the Dominican Republic.