The Phillies Have Found Their Third Baseman

Well, this certainly didn't take long, did it? After just a few days of free agency, the Phillies have filled Pedro Feliz's spot at third base by bringing back a familiar face. Today, they signed Placido Polanco to a three year, $18 million deal, with a mutual option for a fourth year. The deal brings Polanco back to Philadelphia after the Phillies traded him to Detroit to make room at second base for a player named Chase Utley.

Personally, I think this was a good move. Signing Polanco wasn't going to break the bank like signing Adrian Beltre or Chone Figgins would have, and Polanco has already played here before. Not only that, but Polonco is a more patient player at the plate than Pedro Feliz, as he finished last season with a .285 batting average and only 46 strikeouts. The rest of his offensive numbers are only a small drop off from Feliz, but the fact that Polanco gets on base much more frequently than Feliz will make a big difference at either the top or the bottom of the Philadelphia lineup. He's a solid offensive player in general, and will fit in just fine with the rest of the team that's in place right now.

The only question that I do have is how well he can play at third base. I know he has experience there, and I actually wanted the Phillies to move him to third when Chase Utley proved how well he could play second base, instead of trading him away. He hasn't played third since his last go around in Philadelphia, but if his Gold Glove defense at second base is any indication, it shouldn't be much of a drop off there from Pedro Feliz, either. However, his inactivity at third does raise some questions. I'm hoping he can play well there, but there's nothing saying he's not going to be able to make the throw from third to first like Feliz could. That was the one thing I always liked about Feliz: his defense was solid as a rock. Polonco could make things more interesting there.

Regardless, I still think this was a good move. The Phillies really don't need to add another power bat that strikes out a lot to the lineup, which eliminates Adrian Beltre, and Chone Figgins is a Class A free agent, meaning the Phils would have to give up their first round pick if they signed him. Mark DeRosa is two years older than Polanco, and looked horrible after coming over to St. Louis. All in all, I feel like this was a good move, and while it doesn't make the Phillies that much younger at third base, it gives them a solid bat and a good glove over there, which is all I really wanted when it came to replacing Pedro Feliz.

ESPN.com: Philadelphia Phillies, Placido Polonco agree to 3 year, $18 million deal