With free agency looming and reading the posts at various rumors sites, it seems as if the Phillies may try another 'big splash' approach to the offseason.  But, signing Andruw Jones spells bad news a couple years from now as his paycheck will hinder the Phillies' future signings.  Thus I propose several bargain basement alternatives to the team's holes at third base, the outfield, and relief pitching.

First, for third base, if the Greg Dobbs/Wes Helms platoon can not work out, either because Dobbsie leaves, proves he's just a flash in the pan, etc., why not try Mike Lamb with Helms?  Lamb, a free agent, has an OPS+ above 100 the past two years while averaging over 300 at bats a year.  Granted, his defense is probably atrocious, but with him and Helms hopefully rebounding, a league-avergae platoon could be cobbled together on the cheap.  Sure beats paying Mike Lowell 8mil/year for 3 years or trading away valuable commodities for Garrett Atkins, and sticking Helms on the bench in my estimate.

In the outfield, the team does not need Rowand and his 10mil/year contract.  He may regress after his career year and be a Lieber-esque burden to the payroll.  Instead, maybe Dobbs could move to platoon with Jayson Werth in right while moving Victorino to center?  Also, I wonder what it would take to pry Ryan Church from the Nationals.  A couple years back, they did not play him regularly.  They may have since wised up, but after acquiring Pena, perhaps he still could be had.  Church has had an OPS+ of above 100 these past three years.  Teaming with Werth, he could be a potent addition.  

In the 'pen, though it really would not be an acquisition on the cheap, I think Francisco Cordero is the ticket.  Signing him would allow Myers to move back in the rotation and give the team a legitimate closer.  While I do not buy into the 'closer mentality' logic, I would say that his power pitching style would be more effective than a control pitcher who uses guile and heart.  Lets face it, in this day and age, to sign a real closer means to get swindled in the open market.  Plus, I think, so long as I'm making that Ryan Church deal, I'd get the Nats to include Jon Rauch, who in 87.3 IP, K'd 71 while only walking 21.  And, even though his past year was uninspired by his standards, Scott Linebrink is a free agent too, lets not forget that.  Again, not really on the cheap, but a Linebrink signing does not break the bank.