Amaro said for the umpteenth time this offseason that his priority is to re-sign Rollins, but he also admitted that if his veteran shortstop with the surest glove in the National League goes elsewhere, the Phillies need a Plan B.
"I think we'd probably have to consider improving our offense somewhere else," the general manager said. "Hopefully, it won't get to that point. If we do, we'll have to figure out how to work around it."
Rest assured, they already are doing that figuring, but it's unclear exactly how prominently Ramirez has entered their thinking for myriad reasons.
As Amaro spoke Monday afternoon in his suite at the Anatole Hilton, Ramirez's agent, Paul Kinzer, was just checking in. Kinzer said he has had "preliminary discussions" with the Phillies about Ramirez, but nothing more. The agent also represents Rafael Furcal, the free-agent shortstop who helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series, and it's possible he could figure in the Phillies' plans if Rollins signs elsewhere.
Kinzer said he planned to have further discussions with the Phillies on Monday night, so that should give a clearer indication of just how serious the Phillies are about the free-agent third baseman who bounced back from a disappointing 2010 season.
Signing Ramirez will not be cheap. He made $14.6 million last season and, at 33, he's probably looking for at least a three-year deal.
Then there is the complication of what to do with veteran third baseman Placido Polanco. Fox Sports reported that the Phillies are trying to trade Polanco, but he has a $7.25 million price tag attached to his name and recently underwent surgery to repair a double sports hernia. Since he is coming off his least productive offensive season since he became an everyday player, Polanco is a tough sell unless the Phillies are willing to eat some of the contract.
