Amaro talks Rollins, Hamels, Oswalt, others

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MILWAUKEE -- Having signed closer Jonathan Papelbon, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is now focused on shortstop.

He would like to re-sign Jimmy Rollins.

There are no timetables, said Amaro said at the general managers meetings on Tuesday. Obviously, as Ive said all along, wed love to bring Jimmy back, but we have to figure out contingency plans if we dont.

One of those contingency plans could be pushing prospect Freddy Galvis to the majors.

Another could be signing a veteran free-agent like Rafael Furcal, most recently of St. Louis. Paul Kinzer, Furcals agent, is at the general managers meetings. He smiled when asked if he had spoken to the Phillies about his client.

Weve spoken to every club that might have interest in a shortstop, he said.

Furcal, 34, is looking for a three-year deal. He may be open to two years and an option. That might be too long a term for the Phillies, who could simply look to plug the position for a year and wait for Galvis if Rollins does not return. Rollins, who turns 33 this month, has said he wants a five-year deal. The Phillies have indicated they will not go that long.

Amaro believes it could take a while to fill the shortstop position. He is also looking for a hitter. The Phils have interest in free-agent Michael Cuddyer, but his price at the moment seems to be too high for their liking. As for free-agent Roy Oswalt, Amaro said he had not closed the door on re-signing the righthander, but it is not a priority.

We dont have unlimited funds, Amaro said. Our attention is on shortstop.

With the focus on shortstop, the Phils have pushed Cole Hamels to the back burner. Hamels is eligible for salary arbitration this winter and will be eligible for free-agency after the 2012 season. The Phillies will discuss a contract extension with Hamels long before he hits the open market, but must first address more immediate needs.

Our goal is to keep Cole long term, Amaro said. We know how important it is to have guys like that at the top of rotation. Look at the teams that have success for a long time; they all have starting pitching. Atlanta -- thats why they won 14 division titles in row. The goal is to keep him around long after 2012. Well address it at the appropriate time. We have some other fish to fry right now. Ive expressed that to Cole and his agent. We have until next October. It isnt a pressing need, but its something we are on top of.

Three members of the Phils reserve corpspitcher Kyle Kendrick, infielder Wilson Valdez and outfielder Ben Francisco are all arbitration-eligible this winter. Amaro said he envisions all three being on the 2012 club.

E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com

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