SATURDAY, 3:05pm: Victorino seemingly softened his stance when addressing reporters today, writes Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The 31-year-old would still like a five-year deal, but says that staying in Philadelphia is his top priority.
"I'm not saying this will be my last one. It might be. Who knows? What I'm saying is, why not finish it here? I made it seem like I want a five-year deal, but I'd love to stay," the centerfielder said.
Victorino added that his agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, have yet to formally engage in contract negotiations with the club.
THURSDAY, 4:51pm: While Cole Hamels garners most of the attention as the Phillies' top free agent after the season, the team is also faced with the impending free agency of center fielder Shane Victorino. Victorino told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki that he's looking for a five-year contract, but is willing to take a reasonable hometown discount to remain in Philadelphia.
"I look at it this way," Victorino said. "If it's a significant difference, I have to weigh my options more than anything. I obviously love to play in Philly. They gave me my opportunity. … But I also understand there's a window in this game … When I say I don't want to go anywhere, yeah, I call this home. I want to finish my career here. I won't say I won't take a hometown discount, but I also will say I want to maximize my opportunity with not only what I've accomplished as an individual, but as part of a team."
Victorino said he expects the two sides to discuss an extension during Spring Training, and he would allow talks to carry into the regular season even though that's not his preference. He's represented by Sam and Seth Levinson.
A .279/.355/.491 hitter in 2011, the 31-year-old Victorino is currently in the final season of the three-year, $22MM deal he signed in January 2010. Outfielders Torii Hunter ($90MM), J.D. Drew ($70MM), and Aaron Rowand ($60MM) all signed five-year contracts as free agents in recent years, and chances are The Flyin' Hawaiian's camp will use those deals as reference points during negotiations.
The Flyin’ Hawaiian is a cool dude. I hope the Phils lock him up.
if that happens, in a few years the phillies will have the market consisting old people cornered
We’ll be hard-pressed to overtake the Yankees for that title.
Philly is the oldest team in the game, followed by Arizona, then New York, and LAD.
Exactly.
please reuben, give him a fair deal. love his speed but he needs to steal more, davey lopes or no davey lopes
As a Dodger fan, I must say, thank you for giving us Davey Lopes back. He helped turn Matt Kemp’s career around. Other than that, I hope to forget the 2008 and 2009 NLCS as soon as possible.
Deep into the night! Broxton still remembers…
and how many of those 5 year contracts panned out? NONE!!!
Tori Hunter’s wasn’t bad…
torii hunter worked out just fine for the Angels…
I wouldn’t say so really…if people say JD Drew was a bust, then Hunter definitely isn’t much better. IMO though, Drew was not a bust. He did not perform as well as expected, but he’s also overlooked. Look at his 08 and 09 seasons…he put up solid numbers (exception being not enough games). Even in 07, disappointing numbers, but nevertheless, strong OBP. If you compare Drew’s 5 years in Boston vs Hunter’s 4 years in Anaheim (thus far), Drew has a better OPS.
Don’t misunderstandd…I’m not saying Drew is better. Just saying that if Drew is widely considered a bust, then Hunter is definitely no better than poorly mediocre at best.
Nothing really committal in that story 1 way or the other, but if he is wanting something in between Rowand and Hunter? (5/75m) Reuben had better let him wave bye bye and kick himself royally for signing Rollins as everyone in the game is already laughing at him for doing so.
Rollins was a great signing. /Says anyone with a brain.
Remember that the closer it gets to Hamels and Victorino leaving, plus that cap getting closer and closer..
11m AAV for pretty much a glove now over 4 seasons (easy option year) is almost as bad as Jeter’s deal.
The cap is already breached. They’ll go over further if need be.
How does a ‘glove only’ player get 3.0 oWAR last season?
What? Victorino had an .846 OPS last year and was 2nd among all CF’s in WAR.
You sir, are as good at telling the truth as Mitt Romney
He was talking about Rollins.
If Mayberry and Brown show they are long-term options this season, Victorino is as good as gone.
3/45MM, easily vesting 4th. Get it done.
I can’t think of anything more absurd than a guy of Victorino’s skill set making $15M a season.
Yeah he probably deserves more.
Listen, I like Victorino but I seriously hope you are kidding.
Nope, Victorino is an excellent and underrated player.
Wow, you actually are serious. Are you Mrs. Victorino, perhaps ?
RA does like his contract extensions….
A 3 year deal is perfect for Victorino. Shane has been a great asset to our team since 06 and I’d hate to see him go elsewhere, but 5 years is not a wise idea. He’s a fantastic fielder and hitter, but I would like to see him add more steals since he has great speed as well.
His defense is falling off and his ADHD lapses in the field have begun to start costing us. (What he did in Game 4 of the NLDS last year is inexcuseable).
Not to mention the fact that he refuses to fully utilize his speed by bunting and stealing bases.
I love Shane but he has plenty of flaws.
He has one of the highest SLG % on the team. I don’t want him bunting.
I want him on base… I don’t care how he does it. With his speed, he’s more valuable at the top of our line up behind Jimmy Rollins stealing bases in front of Chase Utley.
Him bunting makes him a better player. If anything he drops down a bunt hit or two or three, the third baseman is forced to creep up on him and there’s more room for him to shoot his ball through.
I’m really hoping the Cards can nab a CF’er next year. Bourn, Hammy, or Victorino would all be great. I love Jon Jay, but 2nd, SS, and Center are the only places that are upgradeable.
i would kill to have victorino in cardinal red, i dont see it happening though
The Phillies are OLD. Keeping Victorino would match up well with a 32 year old Chase Utley and 31 year old Ryan Howard.
And he’s most likely to age similar to Damon. He’ll be productive at least 4-5 more years.
Barely in your 30’s is old for baseball?
I just love how every year, baseball pundits and mlbtr posters comment on how old the Phillies are and how they can’t possibly be good anymore. And then they go and win more games than the previous year. These players aren’t nfl running backs…
Didn’t hurt to have 4 aces last year.
The Phillies still have their 4 best starting pitchers from 2011.
No, but you have to be realistic; injuries do occur. Just ask the Phillies the last 3 years. You might want to ask Utley, Rollins and oh yes, lets not forget Howard. The reason they win more games is because of their fantastic pitching, not their age. Ageing is part of life and Baseball is a business. I also, love the Phils.
Plus, the aforementioned players with all their injuries. Phils need to look to youth and development. These were very good players, however it won’t go on a lifetime.
I can’t picture him on any other team. Maybe the mets.
If I am Shane Victorino, I would ask my agents NOT to bring up the JD Drew and Aaron Rowand 5yr contracts.
Yeah…
Lets clear the air. No one will give (soon to be) 32 year old Shane Victorino a 5 year deal.
I want Victorino to get a seven year deal for $126 million with a full no-trade clause and eighth year vesting option.
I’m sure you do.
Is Omar still with the Mets?
Omar is with the San Diego Padres now.
Still wouldn’t get your Mets out of last place.
They’re in last?
*runs to check calender*
If I’m Ruben I don’t even consider giving Shane a contract until I see if Mayberry has truly turned the corner against right handers.
Gillies has been having a decent Spring too. He might be able to compete for the starting CF position after a full year in Double-A. If Brown can live up to his potential, the Phillies can run with an adequate Mayberry or a young Gillies, and losing Victorino wouldn’t matter.
Big break for Ruben. He was probably planning to offer seven.
Don’t worry Ruben will counter with 6 , can’t play games with Ruben…
I am Phillies fan and I love Shane. I really really hope that the Phillies do not resign this guy. I am sorry they do not need another 30+ non pitcher locked up for 4 years. I think that Shane is a tad overrated. He is only going to decline from her on out. I would love if the Phillies made a push to sign Bourne, if the braves do not resign him. Bourne would be the perfect replacement for Jimmy in the lead off spot. I also think that the Phillies need to let one of the core guys from 08 walk. This team needs to be shaken up a little bit.
They already let jayson werth, pedro feliz, and pat burrel walk
I agree, I’m also a Phillies fan of about 58 years, however age does matter in building a team, Phillies need to take a hard look at youth and development. I do think Bourne would be a very good acquisition and a tremendous leadoff man. Phils have the pitching but do need more punch in their line-up. Offer Shane a good two year contract, but no more.
You think Bourne is going to command significantly less than Victorino? His youth would be nice, but if he’s going to cost us more than Shane (what with MB not offering us a discount), why would we go with him, when we can barely afford Shane with one?
If we don’t keep Vitorino, my bet is it’s because Dom Brown proved he can play well in left, and we move Mayberry to CF.
If Ruben is smart then he would just give him a 3 year deal with a vesting option like Rollins. So by the end of it he’ll be 35 which is supposedly considered the cutoff.
Phils need to give Victorino, a very good centerfield who has paid his dues a two year contract with incentives, but no more. He is 31 years old, this year 32!