Fact is Ruben had nice parting words for Feliz when he declined the option.

But…

how many times did Pedro aggrivate the masses with a first pitch swing?  The answer is a lot.

I wonder if he was uncoachable and stubborn.  One never knows what goes on behind closed doors.

That said, his defense was an integral part of the 2 WS appearances.

Just some wild thinking on my part that might have an ounce of truth, or a ton of hot air.

• Feliz will decline further offensively, as he has each of the last 6 seasons
• His 80+ RBI were more a result of the number of RBI opportunities he had, and luck,  than his offensive skill
• There are better offensive players, with similar or better defensive skills, out there and it is a great market to find a great value in.

It’s amazing how a single span of time can embellish a player’s image or reputation.  Beltre once whacked 48 homers in a year, and drove in 121 runs.  Other than that, his career best is 99 ribs.  And he’s been in the 10 million plus salary range the last 3-4 years.  The man is a nice player, but if you are looking for value, he’s not a headliner.  For what the Phils paid Feliz, he’d be a great acquistion.  Beltre’s most likely big payday comes after a guy like DeRosa leaves the Cardinals, and they are unable to sign Matt Holliday, and need power.  Then he becomes attractive, and worth a premium price.  But the only way the Phils sign Beltre is if he’s still on the market about as long as Abrieu was last year, and his price falls.  That gives you time to explore value in the trade market.  In this economy, nobody is rushing to give Beltre big bucks long term off his injury driven 2009. 

That’s the first day a team other than the player’s now former team can talk contract.  A free agent could conceivably sign as early as this Friday.

The Phillies should sign Adrian Beltre.
The two-time NL champs are poised to lose third baseman Pedro Feliz to free agency. Feliz is an outstanding defender at third, but he can’t hit. Beltre, meanwhile, is every bit the fielder Feliz is, and he has the added benefit of being able to produce at the plate. Healthy again (in 2009: elbow, shoulder, Bruised. Right. Testicle.), out of Safeco and in Citizens Bank (and out of the superior AL), Beltre should be good for 30 homers and stellar glovework at the hot corner. That’s an upgrade for Philly and a fine start toward a fourth consecutive NL East title.