Reports that the Phillies are strongly pursuing free agent third base Aramis Ramirez apparently have some legs, because according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com they’re “actively trying to move” incumbent third baseman Placido Polanco.
Polanco still has $7.25 million remaining on a three-year, $18 million contract that was widely panned at the time and is coming off a career-worst season in which he missed 40 games with various injuries. He’s also 36 years old, so the Phillies would likely have to eat at least some of his salary and take back a marginal prospect to get a deal done.
From a purely on-field standpoint keeping Polanco around in a utility role would make sense even after signing Ramirez, but obviously a $7.25 million part-time player is a tough fit for even the Phillies’ massive payroll.
