Four days after his high-priced team was eliminated from the postseason, nine wins shy of the World Series title it had set as its goal, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the club must improve its offensive approach.
We dont have the same offensive team we had in 2008, Amaro said. We dont have nearly as much power. We need to realize that and work with what we have. We need to make adjustments, work counts better, have better two-strike at-bats. We should have more .300 hitters or close to it. We really should.
Amaro went on to say that he has challenged manager Charlie Manuel and hitting coach Greg Gross to facilitate a change in approach.
All this comes after the Phils, heavily favored to win the National League pennant, were bounced from the NL Division Series by the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night. The Phillies scored 11 runs in the first game of the series and just 10 in the four games that followed. They lost 1-0 in the deciding game and scored runs in just three of series final 34 innings.
No wonder Amaro had the offense in his crosshairs during his annual end-of-season news conference Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park.
We have to go about things differently, Amaro said. Obviously, what weve done is not working. Its not worked well enough to get to the World Series and win.
Moments before Amaro spoke to reporters, Jimmy Rollins, a fixture at shortstop for a decade, spoke about his impending free agency.
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Rollins, who turns 33 in November, wants a five-year contract.
If I was older, Id take a shorter term, Rollins said. I probably have a good six years left, possibly more, to perform at a high level. I know how to keep myself in shape. Im looking to get five years. If its going to be shorter, it would have to be a fifth-year option or something like that. My option.
Citing club policy, Amaro would not comment on Rollins demands. Amaro said he wants to re-sign Rollins, but the negotiations would be kept private.
The Phillies hold exclusive negotiating rights with Rollins until two weeks after the World Series, but it appears as if Rollins will have to test the free-agent market to get the length of deal he seeks. The Phillies, who are concerned about an aging core, are believed to be strongly against giving Rollins a five-year deal because he has had leg problems each of the last two seasons. The club seems to prefer something closer to a two- or three-year deal.
Were not going discuss negotiations publicly, Amaro said. Theres no question we want Jimmy back in our uniform playing shortstop for the next several years. Well see if we can get to the finish line.
Amaro was asked how big of a concern Rollins health was.
Well take all things into consideration as far as length of contract and commitment of dollars, he said. Were still kicking around how far we want to go with Jimmy and what we want to try to do to keep him here. But I think he knows our priority is to keep him.
Rollins said he wants to return and added that his gut feeling was he would. But he made it clear that baseball is a business and, Gut feelings dont always make great business decisions, he said.
The Giants and Braves are expected to explore signing Rollins.
If Rollins moves on, who plays shortstop?
I hope I dont have to field that question, Amaro said. It would be a huge blow, but not insurmountable. If it happens, well make the proper adjustment to replace him. Some people in our organization think (minor-league prospect) Freddy Galvis is ready, some dont. We might have to look outside the organization.
Amaro touched on a number of other matters.
Ryan Madson: He sits in the same place as Jimmy. Wed like to bring him back as our closer. But it takes two to tango. Those negotiations will be private. I know hes excited to be a free agent because hes never been in this position. How it plays out, well see.
If Madson signs elsewhere, Amaro said hed look for a replacement outside the organization. The Phils have some closer prospects in Antonio Bastardo, Justin De Fratus and Phillippe Aumont, but Im not confident they can do it right now especially in our situation where we are looking to contend.
Ryan Howard: Howard is seeking second opinions on his ruptured left Achilles tendon. He will have surgery that will keep him sidelined at least four months. Amaro said he hopes to have Howard back in the lineup sometime in April.
John Mayberry Jr.: He is the in-house favorite to be the leftfielder next season, but he could get time at first while Howard is out.
Domonic Brown: Though he will get a look in left field in spring training, Amaro said, In a perfect world, if I had my druthers, Id keep in him at Triple A and get him 500 or 600 at-bats and go from there.
On adding a hitter to the lineup: For me, a lot depends on what happens with Jimmy and other people, and how we allocate our available dollars. If guys we have under contract dont make adjustments, were going to be in trouble. Theyre going to have to be committed to changing their offensive approach. Im challenging Charlie and Greg Gross to help facilitate that.
On Roy Oswalt and his 16 million option for 2012: Were still discussing that internally. Weve made no final decision on his situation. He is still one of the better starting pitchers in baseball. We have to make a decision on that, maybe a tough one.
Amaro said there would be changes to the team. He said it was likely that the club would look to made additions through free agency, but trades were possible.
Possible free agents to watch include Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel. Cuddyer could help at first base and in the outfield. Kubel could help in the outfield. The Phillies have liked both players in the past. Aaron Rowand, another free-agent outfielder, could be someone to watch.
Amaro disclosed that third baseman Placido Polanco finished the season with a double sports hernia that was being surgically repaired on Tuesday. He added that Cole Hamels would have loose bodies surgically removed from his elbow on Friday. According to Amaro, Hamels should be throwing in a month.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com