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Phils decline Feliz's contract option
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From Press staff and wire reports
PHILADELPHIA - The Phillies have a job opening at third base.
Philadelphia, the two-time defending National League champion, on Sunday declined its $5.5 million 2010 option on third baseman Pedro Feliz.
Feliz hit .266 with 12 home runs and 82 RBIs in 158 games for the Phillies this year. He was known mostly, though, for his excellent defense.
He'll receive a $500,000 buyout.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he won't rule out bringing back Feliz as a free agent, but it's clear the team is going to explore its options.
Other third basemen who could be available this offseason: Chone Figgins of the Los Angeles Angels, Adrian Beltre of the Seattle Mariners, Mark DeRosa of the St. Louis Cardinals, Miguel Tejada of the Houston Astros, who would move from shortstop, and former Phillie Placido Polanco, who has played mostly second base since being dealt to Detroit in 2005.
Feliz, 34, had the winning hit for the Phillies in the 2008 World Series clincher against Tampa Bay.
The Phillies had until today to decide whether to pick up the option on Feliz.
On Friday, Amaro said Feliz had produced "a solid year for us. I like the man personally. He's a great person, a treat teammate, but I also believe in trying to improve, and chance can be for the better."
Also Friday, Phillies pitcher Brett Myers reportedly announced that the team had told him it will not re-sign him.
Posted in Sports, Breaking_news, Phillies on Monday, November 9, 2009 12:50 am Updated: 5:16 am.
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