Placido Polanco

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - The Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent infielder Placido Polanco to a three-year, $18-million contract, the National League champions said on Thursday. Polanco, who played second base for the past four seasons with the Detroit Tigers, will move to third base to replace Pedro Feliz, who is expected to sign elsewhere as a free agent. A .303 career hitter, Polanco played for Philadelphia from 2002 to 2005 before being traded to the Tigers for relief pitcher Ugueth Urbina and infielder Ramon Martinez. "We're very happy to have Placido back in a Phillies uniform," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told Major League Baseball ... Read Full Story

Placido Polanco has returned to the Philadelphia Phillies, agreeing to an $18 million, three-year contract. The 34-year-old free agent won Gold Gloves at second base for the Detroit Tigers in 2007 and this year but will shift to third base, which hasn't been his primary position since 2002. He replaces Pedro Feliz, who became a free agent. Polanco played for the Phillies from July 2002 through 2005 and hit .297 with 38 homers and 160 RBIs. He batted .285 for the Tigers last season with 31 doubles, 10 homers and 72 RBIs. His deal with Philadelphia includes a mutual option for 2013. The NL ... Read Full Story

It’s not quite the return of Iverson, but the Phillies have signed Placido Polanco to a 3-year deal, pending a physical, to come back to Philly and play 3B and hit 2nd for the 2-time defending NL champs. The deal is reportedly worth $18 million. As I wrote yesterday , Polanco is a definite upgrade to Feliz, and at only $500,000 more it is certainly a good deal. However, like with Jamie Moyer and Raul Ibanez, I think that Amaro went 1 year too long on an aging player in his declining years. Polanco will be 36 in the final year of his contract. ... Read Full Story

Placido Polanco is putting aside his Gold Glove and switching positions to have a chance at winning a championship. Read More Read Full Story

Even though it appears the Detroit Tigers have the most terrifying batting order in all of baseball, led by a downright dirty starting rotation and shining bullpen, manager Jim Leyland doesn't want to hear any boastful prophecies. With seven All-Stars in their lineup, including newcomer Miguel Cabrera , the threat is pretty much non-stop from top to bottom. Let's also not forget to mention one of the handiest closers in the game, Todd Jones , who pulls the caboose of the relief corps, which is missing only Joel Zumaya , who is out until midseason with a shoulder injury. However, the skipper wants everyone ... Read Full Story