Placido Polanco Career TRACKER

at this rate, we won't have any Latinos to celebrate Fiesta del Tigres!

Polanco leaves game as precaution
BECK'S BLOG

Ramon Santiago pinch-hit in the eighth inning Saturday for Placido Polanco, who left the game as a precaution when his left leg stiffened up. But both Polanco and manager Jim Leyland said after the game that it's nothing to worry about.

Polanco took a Seth McClung pitch off his left quadriceps in the sixth. He stayed in the game and came around to score on Marcus Thames' single two batters later, then played two more innings in the field.

The quad didn't immediately stiffen up, Polanco said, but just got progressively sore.

"It got a little tight -- nothing major, nothing bad at all," Polanco said. "It's just sore, and I don't want it to get worse. I just didn't want to be half-stepping out there."

Manager Jim Leyland said he was already planning to rest Polanco on Sunday in favor of Santiago, which he has done several times on day games before off-days. Combined with Monday's off-day, that'll give Polanco two days off before Tuesday's series opener against the Cubs.

Posted on June 20, 2009 at 7:07 PM

DETROIT 5, OAKLAND 3
Polanco powers Tigers

BY JOHN LOWE • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • July 1, 2009

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Albert Pujols out-homered his close friend Placido Polanco Tuesday night.

No shock there.

Pujols leads the majors in homers.

Polanco, for all the luminous descriptions he has earned, probably will never be known as a power hitter.

But both homers that Pujols hit Tuesday night off the Giants’ Randy Johnson – soon-to-be Hall of Famer against another destined for Cooperstown -- didn’t erase Johnson’s lead.

Polanco hit one homer Tuesday night, and it came off lefty Gio Gonzalez.

But Polanco’s homer meant the Tigers had something for the whole night that Pujols’ Cardinals never had Tuesday night: the lead.

Polanco followed Curtis Granderson’s leadoff walk in the first by lining a two-run homer to left. The Tigers were in front for good in their 5-3 win.

Of late, Polanco is hitting homers, not at a Pujols pace, but something more than a normal Polanco pace.

In his first 61 games this season: one homer.

In his 10 games since then: four homers.

“He’s getting good pitches and being a little more patient,” said Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon. “He’s swinging at good pitches and putting good swings on them.

“Earlier in the year, he probably expanded a little bit too much, going outside the strike zone.”

In his three previous full seasons with the Tigers, Polanco’s home-run totals (in chronological order) have been four, nine and eight. Perhaps this will be his first double-digit home-run season with the Tigers.

He’s known for exactly what power hitters aren’t known for -- not striking out. Despite his recent power burst, he remains high on the list of the league leaders in toughest to strike out, based on the ratio of at-bats to strikeouts.

Polanco hit his first career homer in 1998, when his Cardinals teammate Mark McGwire hit 70. He stayed with the Cardinals long enough to become friends with the young Pujols, then was traded to Philadelphia and Detroit. In 11 years in the majors, he has 85 homers.

Polanco doesn’t attempt a grand explanation for this current power burst.

“It’s baseball -- it’s one of those things,” Polanco said. “In baseball, all of a sudden you can go crazy and hit everybody. In the same way, you can go crazy and not hit anybody.

“All you can do is just show up every day and try to control your approach, work hard and then let everything take care of itself.”

Polanco has Mota to thank on many fronts
Tigers infielder was helped to Majors by Dominican great

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

08/06/09 6:59 PM ET

DETROIT -- If not for the work of Dominican baseball great Manny Mota, Placido Polanco might never have had the chance to become a star in the United States. He also wouldn't have had a chance to become a U.S. citizen.

For that matter, a little help from Japan's Hiroshima Carp helped, too.

Considering Polanco isn't the kind of athlete who would wow a scout at first sight, he needed some things to go right for him to get to the big leagues. But he's the kind of player who would fight to create opportunities for himself.

In many ways, the belief to keep fighting for opportunities all started with the help of Mota.

"Manny Mota is like a second father to me," Polanco told MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. "He not only gave me a scholarship to go to college and to live in the United States, he taught me the game and how to live. He gave me a life scholarship."

Mota is known in the United States for his career as an outfielder and pinch-hitting specialist, then for his past 30 years as a coach with Los Angeles Dodgers. In the Dominican Republic, he's also known for his humanitarian efforts, including his own foundation and youth league, but also for helping out kids and their families who need help.

Polanco and his family weren't in that category, but the two families knew each other through Polanco's father, Placido Sr., also a well-known ballplayer in their country who became an instructor in Mota's Little League. Their families knew each other well enough to be like family to each other.

Polanco played in the Manny Mota Little Leagues in Santo Domingo, then made a name for himself as a high school player. The next step for him was a stint in a developmental academy.

He ended up working out in the camp of the Carp, a team in Japan's Central League whose academy would be known later for helping develop Alfonso Soriano. They were impressed enough by Polanco to offer him an opportunity to keep working with the academy and eventually go over to Japan, but Polanco hoped to play in the United States.

With that in mind, and with his parents hoping for him to get an education, Polanco looked for a chance at college ball. With help from Mota, he found a spot and a scholarship on the team at Miami Dade Community College.

"This is a long way, but it was destiny," Polanco said last year. "I wanted to be here."

That was the opportunity he needed. His play at Miami-Dade caught the eye of a scout with the St. Louis Cardinals, who drafted him. After having to transition from student visa to working visa, Polanco steadily worked his way through the Minors and won over believers until he made it to St. Louis, where he became one of manager Tony La Russa's core player.

Polanco lives in Miami and became a U.S. citizen last year, but he hasn't forgotten his Dominican roots. He spends parts of his offseasons in the Dominican, and he played for the Dominican team in the inaugural World Baseball Classic.

And of course, he'll never forget Mota.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

:placido:

I hope they sign him for one more year!

I REALLY like Polly, but I don't know if I want him here another year. I sure wouldn't argue, but if there are better 2B available...

Detroit's idea of a new 2nd baseman is a minor league call-up. I still think Polly is better than any of our minor league guys. I only suggest 1 year.

Polly is as close to errorless as you can get-I would hate to see him replaced and have it kick us where it hurts!

Polanco's defense is 'a treat' for Tigers
Second baseman could set career mark for double plays

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

09/03/09 2:19 PM ET

DETROIT -- Placido Polanco owns the longest errorless streak for Major League second basemen, a streak he began in 2006 and took into last summer. He went the entire 2007 season without an error.

This year, to manager Jim Leyland, he's been even better.

"In my opinion, I know he had that streak, but I think this has really been his best defensive year," Leyland said. "He moves better than in past years. He's played exceptional."

From an activity standpoint, the stats might bear that out. With 29 games to go after Thursday's series finale against the Indians, he's on pace to play more innings and games than in any of his previous 11 Major League seasons. He could top his 2007 career-high total for double plays, and he has an outside chance to top his assist high from the same year.

Polanco currently leads the American League in fielding percentage at .998. Of his two errors this season, one was on a fielding miscue on a relay throw, and the other was on an off-balance throw from behind first base.

Still, his range factor -- putouts plus assists per nine innings -- of 4.93 entering Thursday was slightly lower than his 5.08 mark in 2007, or his 5.22 mark last year.

He has been the anchor of an upgraded infield defense, which has been a boost for a pitching staff that has been able to pitch for contact and quick outs in stretches.

"He's like an old shoe," Leyland said. "Old shoes are real comfortable. You get a new pair and you look at them, and think, 'Well, maybe I'll wear those today,' and you say, 'Nah.' He just comes every day, grinds it out every single day.

"He's the consummate professional. He has a routine. He sticks to it every day. He's a treat, because you know he's going to be the same every day. You don't have to worry about him."

If it is Polanco's best year at second, his timing couldn't have been much better. He's a free agent at season's end, of course, and one question that teams will have to answer for themselves is whether Polanco can play a quality game at second base into and through his mid-30s.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Polanco's defense is 'a treat' for Tigers
Second baseman could set career mark for double plays

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

09/03/09 2:19 PM ET

DETROIT -- Placido Polanco owns the longest errorless streak for Major League second basemen, a streak he began in 2006 and took into last summer. He went the entire 2007 season without an error.

This year, to manager Jim Leyland, he's been even better.

"In my opinion, I know he had that streak, but I think this has really been his best defensive year," Leyland said. "He moves better than in past years. He's played exceptional."

From an activity standpoint, the stats might bear that out. With 29 games to go after Thursday's series finale against the Indians, he's on pace to play more innings and games than in any of his previous 11 Major League seasons. He could top his 2007 career-high total for double plays, and he has an outside chance to top his assist high from the same year.

Polanco currently leads the American League in fielding percentage at .998. Of his two errors this season, one was on a fielding miscue on a relay throw, and the other was on an off-balance throw from behind first base.

Still, his range factor -- putouts plus assists per nine innings -- of 4.93 entering Thursday was slightly lower than his 5.08 mark in 2007, or his 5.22 mark last year.

He has been the anchor of an upgraded infield defense, which has been a boost for a pitching staff that has been able to pitch for contact and quick outs in stretches.

"He's like an old shoe," Leyland said. "Old shoes are real comfortable. You get a new pair and you look at them, and think, 'Well, maybe I'll wear those today,' and you say, 'Nah.' He just comes every day, grinds it out every single day.

"He's the consummate professional. He has a routine. He sticks to it every day. He's a treat, because you know he's going to be the same every day. You don't have to worry about him."

If it is Polanco's best year at second, his timing couldn't have been much better. He's a free agent at season's end, of course, and one question that teams will have to answer for themselves is whether Polanco can play a quality game at second base into and through his mid-30s.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

That sums it up-resign him!!!!!!!!

Quote :

That sums it up-resign him!!!!!!!!

Polanco heating up in Tigers' stretch run
Up-and-down season hasn't changed slugger's approach

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

09/22/09 7:11 PM ET

CLEVELAND -- Placido Polanco's approach doesn't change, first or last place, April or September, his preparation doesn't change. All that's changing lately are his numbers.

They're certainly turning for the better.

Not only would Polanco's .283 average entering Tuesday's series opener against the Indians be his lowest for a season since he joined the Tigers, it would be his lowest for a full season in 10 years. Yet, just in time for the home stretch for a playoff drive, as the Tigers try to pull out enough wins to hold onto the American League Central, Polanco is looking statistically like he usually does.

Sunday's 2-for-4, three-RBI afternoon at Minnesota capped off a three-game series in which Polanco went 6-for-11. He scored three of Detroit's eight runs in the series, and drove in three others. The only runs over the weekend into which Polanco didn't factor were Carlos Guillen's RBI triple and Ryan Raburn's solo homer, both Sunday.

He's batting .500 (9-for-18) in the past week, .371 (26-for-80) in September and .327 in his last 48 games. In a lineup that has frustrated manager Jim Leyland, he's basically the least of Leyland's worries.

"I feel good," Polanco said. "I'm seeing the ball good. I give myself a chance. When you're seeing the ball good and you work, that's it."

For that matter, his attitude doesn't change when he isn't hitting, either.

"His routine's the same all the time," Leyland said. "His preparation's the same all the time. Nothing's going to change with him. He does what he does. He works the same all the time. He is what he is."

Where Polanco does change is in how he adapts to the situation, which has become all the more important this year. While leadoff man Curtis Granderson has had his ups and downs, so have the guys at the bottom of Detroit's order. While he's used to playing both run producer and table-setter roles as a No. 2 hitter, that has been especially true lately.

"I think the game is going to dictate what you do," Polanco said. "Sometimes you're going to have to drive in runs, and other times you have to get on for the big guys. I just pride myself in [being] an aggressive hitter. I'm ready to swing at every pitch. "

He doesn't let a bad performance drag down his approach another day, and he won't try to rest on a good day at the plate. He's taking the same consistent approach to the playoff race, which given the ups and downs of Detroit's division lead, isn't easy to do.

"We've been pretty good at that," Polanco said. "Whether you win or lose, you have to turn the page. Every day is a different day. You have to try to focus on whoever's pitching and try to win that game you're playing that day. Now we turn the page."

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Last Updated: November 03. 2009 2:37PM
Tigers missed on Chase Utley, scored on Placido Polanco
Tony Paul / The Detroit News

Chase Utley could've been a Tiger.

The Phillies' star second baseman was drafted 15th overall in the 2000 draft, seven spots after a fella named Matt Wheatland, who Baseball-Reference.com tells us is a right-handed pitcher who made just 16 appearances in the Tigers' minor leagues.

Meanwhile, Utley is a four-time All-Star, .295 career hitter and perennial MVP candidate who has topped 100 RBIs four times in the last five years.

To be fair, 13 teams not run by Randy Smith passed on him, too. And as it turns out, Utley's ascent to stardom benefited the Tigers anyway. His first full season in the major leagues was '05, when he hit .291 with 28 homers and 105 RBIs. Certain by midseason he was no fluke, Philly made Placido Polanco available for trade, for the low-low price of a future convicted attempted murderer (Ugueth Urbina).

Polanco, a free agent-to-be whose cost demands are likely to take him elsewhere this offseason, hit .311 in four-plus seasons with the Tigers, including .341 in '07.

Tigers' Polanco nabs Gold Glove honors
Second baseman takes home second award in three years

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

11/10/09 3:30 PM EST

DETROIT -- Placido Polanco will hit the free-agent market with a nice addition to his resume. The Tigers second baseman won his second Gold Glove Award in three years, beating out Boston's Dustin Pedroia for the American League honor in an announcement made Tuesday.

Polanco was the Tigers' lone Gold Glove winner this year following a season in which defense was one of Detroit's strengths and a big reason why the Tigers stayed in contention. The Tigers were shut out of the Gold Glove Awards last year, reflecting a defense that they tried to remedy during the last offseason. Major League managers and coaches vote on the honors each year.

While Detroit's upgrades around the infield last winter made a difference, Polanco made a statistical improvement of his own. Though he couldn't duplicate his errorless 2007 season, his error total fell from eight last year to two this past season. Working alongside shortstops Adam Everett and Ramon Santiago, along with Brandon Inge at third, Polanco helped turn a career-high 112 double plays. His .997 fielding percentage easily led all AL second basemen, while his 731 total chances and his range factor of 5.1 putouts plus assists per nine innings ranked near the top.

The more specialized fielding stats were more favorable on Polanco than one might expect for a middle infielder who turned 34 years old last month. While Polanco ranked lower among AL second basemen on zone rating, a statistic created by STATS Inc. to measure the rate of outs converted in a player's defensive zone, his ultimate zone rating of 11.4 led all Major League second basemen.

Statistically, this should bolster his case on the open market this winter. While the Tigers could conceivably bring him back on a short-term contract, he's expected to draw enough interest from other clubs to have his share of choices. Team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said last month that prospect Scott Sizemore was ready to step in at second if he can't re-sign Polanco.

Still, if Polanco leaves, he'll do so with his mark set in Detroit. He becomes the third Tigers infielder to win multiple Gold Gloves, joining the double-play duo of Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker. The Gold Glove Award dates back to 1957.

Other Tigers fell short in their Gold Glove bids. Gerald Laird's league-leading 42-percent rate of throwing out baserunners couldn't earn him the nod at catcher over Minnesota's Joe Mauer. Brandon Inge's abundance of highlight plays couldn't overshadow his error total at third, where Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria captured his first Gold Glove. Curtis Granderson couldn't crack the AL Gold Glove outfield mix of longtime standards Torii Hunter and Ichiro Suzuki plus newcomer Adam Jones.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Tigers' Polanco nabs Gold Glove honors

So well deserved!!!!!!! Is he really leaving?????????

Posted: Nov. 29, 2009
Tigers have until Tuesday to show interest in Placido Polanco
Second baseman is a free agent

BY JOHN LOWE
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

By Tuesday night, the Tigers must give free-agent second baseman Placido Polanco a firm indication of how willing they are to re-sign him.

They will give Polanco that indication when they either do or don't offer him a one-year contract for next season -- with the amount to be settled in salary arbitration. Under baseball rules, each club has until midnight Tuesday to offer such arbitration-determined contracts for next season to free agents who finished this past season with that club.

What it means if the Tigers offer Polanco salary arbitration: Polanco will have six days to decide whether to accept the arbitration offer. If he accepts it, he will become signed to a one-year contract. If he rejects arbitration, he remains eligible to sign with the Tigers.

If Polanco is offered arbitration and accepts it, he could expect a noticeable raise on the $4.6 million he made this season, both because that's how arbitration works and because Polanco had a highly presentable season (including his second Gold Glove). So if the Tigers offer arbitration to Polanco, it would show they're willing to pay him more than $4.6 million next season, and that would mean they're willing to raise their already high payroll (about $130 million last season) or trade one or more high-priced players to make payroll room for Polanco.

What it means if the Tigers don't offer Polanco salary arbitration: If Polanco were then to re-sign with the Tigers, he might have to take a pay cut. If he didn't return, then rookie Scott Sizemore would be in line to replace him at second base. Sizemore, who turns 25 in January, distinguished himself in the minors this season, and he would make the major league minimum of $400,000 next season.

By not offering Polanco arbitration, the Tigers won't receive any draft-pick compensation for him. If the Tigers offer Polanco arbitration and he signs elsewhere, the Tigers would receive as compensation two high picks to use in next June's amateur draft.

If the Tigers offer arbitration to Polanco to ensure they get the draft picks, they'd have to realize Polanco could accept the arbitration offer and its attendant salary increase. That might be a financial risk the Tigers feel they can't take.

The Tigers also have until midnight Tuesday to offer arbitration to their other free agents they haven't ruled out re-signing: right-handed relievers Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon and shortstop Adam Everett. But none of them would bring as much draft-pick compensation as Polanco, and none has an obvious immediate low-cost successor on the Tigers roster as Polanco does.

Contact JOHN LOWE: 313-223-4053 or jlowe@freepress.com.

I'm contemplative on this one. I'm sure Polanco's glove is incomparable, but this Sizemore kid could be a big deal.

For real? What better second baseman could you want but the gold glove winner? He is the best-come on!

I know, that's why I'm contemplative. But it's been all good-talk for Scott Sizemore, which is why I could go for either.

Tigers offer arbitration to Rodney, Lyon
Polanco not likely to re-sign; promotion set for Sizemore

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

12/01/09 2:42 PM EST

DETROIT -- The Tigers decided to offer arbitration to Type B free agent relievers Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon, but not to Type A free agent Placido Polanco.

The announcement ahead of Tuesday night's midnight ET deadline sets the stage for the Tigers to receive compensation picks in next year's First-Year Player Draft if Rodney and/or Lyon sign elsewhere, but nothing in exchange for Polanco.

Though the Tigers had to be tempted by the potential for two compensation picks, there was at least a logical chance Polanco would have considered arbitration if offered. While a multiyear deal is obviously a huge appeal for the 34-year-old second baseman, arbitration would've almost surely hurt his value on the market. Any other team would've had to give up a first- or second-round Draft pick to sign him, and that would've slowed the market on him. The other pick would've been sandwiched between the first and second rounds.

Moreover, the one-year salary Polanco could've earned in arbitration could have been very tempting. Polanco earned $4.6 million in each of his four full seasons in Detroit as part of an extension he signed in 2005, but contracts signed last offseason for such All-Star second basemen as Boston's Dustin Pedroia and Baltimore's Brian Roberts have come at much larger salaries.

Polanco won his second Gold Glove Award in three years last month after committing just two errors in 731 total chances, good for a .997 fielding percentage. Working alongside Adam Everett, he turned a career-high 112 double plays and posted a .509 Range Factor that compared favorably to his errorless season of 2007.

At the plate, Polanco drove in a career-best 72 runs to go with a .285 average, 31 doubles and 10 home runs. He ended up receiving votes in American League Most Valuable Player balloting by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

The Tigers are prepared to promote Scott Sizemore, their Minor League Player of the Year, to second base. Sizemore underwent surgery in October after breaking his ankle while playing in the Arizona Fall League, but he's projected to be ready for the start of Spring Training. The Tigers are free to negotiate with Polanco's representatives and try to re-sign him, but that doesn't appear likely.

The risk is far less on Lyon and Rodney, since any other team that signs them won't have to give up a Draft pick. The compensation picks on them would come at the end of the second round.

Both Rodney and Lyon are looking for multiyear deals and attracting interest along those lines, even in a relief market that can be unpredictable. Rodney took advantage of his long-awaited chance to close and racked up 37 saves in 38 opportunities along with a 4.40 ERA. Lyon served as his setup man for most of the season and used a dominant second half to finish with a 6-5 record, 2.86 ERA, three saves and 15 holds. Opponents batted just .205 against Lyon, who allowed 56 hits over 78 2/3 innings.

Rodney and Lyon have six days to accept or reject arbitration. Given their situations, they'll likely reject the offers. That won't necessarily close off Detroit's interest, but it sets the challenge of multiyear offers, something that could require the Tigers to do some of their much-rumored maneuvering to free up payroll.

Lyon's agent, Barry Meister, indicated he has stayed in touch with the Tigers, though talks won't likely progress until teams and agents gather in Indianapolis next week for baseball's Winter Meetings.

"We've each expressed mutual interest," Meister said. "We'll have a chance to sit down with them and talk about him at the Winter Meetings."

Detroit's last compensation pick was a first-round sandwich selection for reliever Jamie Walker, who signed quickly with the Orioles following the 2006 season before the Tigers had to decide on arbitration.

Detroit's other three free agents this offseason -- Adam Everett, Aubrey Huff and Jarrod Washburn -- were not offered arbitration. They didn't qualify as Type A or B free agents, so they wouldn't have brought any compensation picks in return.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Polanco could've made a cash grab
BECK'S BLOG
Posted on December 1, 2009 at 5:23 PM

Talked with Dave Dombrowski this afternoon about their decisions on arbitration to free agents, and his remarks echoed the sentiments that were out there. While Dombrowski isn't bidding farewell to Polanco and plans to keep in touch with his agents, the Levinson brothers, he indicated there was a real chance -- maybe more than a chance -- that Polanco might have accepted an arbitration offer and gone to a hearing.

Good deal, right? The Tigers would get Polanco on a one-year contract.

Actually, it's not that simple.

The risk, Dombrowski said, was that Polanco would go to a hearing and ask for more money than the Tigers would be comfortable doing. It sounds unlikely in this market until you consider long-term contracts last winter for other All-Star second basemen, such as Brian Roberts ($10 million per year) and Dustin Pedroia (6 years, $40.5 million, including $31 million over the final three seasons). They also could've used other free-agent infielders as a reference point.

No fault in doing so; I just wanted to use the term "cash grab" in a headline.

As it is, Polanco instantly becomes a hotter commodity on the market now that teams don't have to give up a first- or second-round Draft pick for him.

The relievers, Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon, were a different story. Dombrowski essentially confirmed what others such as agent Barry Meister have suggested, that Rodney and Lyon are looking for multi-year deals and stand a decent chance to get them.

"I would be very surprised if either of them accepted [arbitration]," Dombrowski said.

That said, interestingly, Dombrowski didn't write off Detroit's chances of re-signing them, either. He'll keep in touch with their agents -- Rodney is also a Levinson client -- and see where it goes. Even as Meister fully expects to get a multi-year deal for Lyon, he said there's mutual interest from the two parties in re-signing.

Could the Tigers be open to a multi-year contract to keep a reliever? I don't think you can write that off quite yet. But they might have to clear some payroll space to do it.

gdennis59 wrote:

I know, that's why I'm contemplative. But it's been all good-talk for Scott Sizemore, which is why I could go for either.

But Sizemore is "talk"-we have seen how good Polonco is!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phillies eyeing Polanco at hot corner
Club has strong interest in former Tigers second baseman

By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com

12/02/09 7:54 PM EST

PHILADELPHIA -- Talks have become serious as the Phillies have narrowed their focus to Placido Polanco to replace Pedro Feliz at third base.

Multiple sources told MLB.com on Wednesday that the Phillies have been very aggressive in their pursuit of Polanco, a free agent who played for Philadelphia from 2002-05. The Phillies also had targeted Mark DeRosa and Adrian Beltre, but Polanco clearly has separated himself from the pack. It is unclear how close the sides are to a deal.

The Red Sox, Astros and others have expressed interest in Polanco, but it appears the Phillies are further down the line in their pursuit.

Polanco, a career .303 hitter, has spent the past four-plus seasons with the Detroit Tigers, who acquired him in a trade with the Phillies in 2005 for relief pitcher Ugueth Urbina and infielder Ramon Martinez.

Polanco hit .285 with 10 home runs and 72 RBIs in 618 at-bats last season with Detroit. He hit .341 in 2007 and .307 in '08.

He has played only second base with the Tigers, with whom he won two of the past three American League Gold Glove Awards. Polanco has played 322 games in his career at third base, but only nine since the end of the 2004 season.

If the Phillies sign Polanco, he could hit between Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. Polanco struck out just once every 14.7 plate appearances in 2009, the second-best mark in the Majors. He has averaged just one strikeout every 17.5 plate appearances the past five seasons, which also is the second-best mark in the Majors.

It appears the Phillies and Polanco's representatives were in serious discussions before the Tigers decided not to offer Polanco salary arbitration before Tuesday's 11:59 p.m. ET deadline. But the fact Philadelphia will not have to forfeit its first-round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft to sign him must make him even more attractive.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Phillies, Polanco complete deal
Gold Glove-winning second baseman will move to third

By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com

12/03/09 1:15 PM EST

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies signed Placido Polanco to a three-year, $18 million contract on Thursday.

The contract with the two-time Gold Glove second baseman, who will move to third base, includes a fourth-year mutual option.

Polanco, who played for Philadelphia from 2002-05, will replace Pedro Feliz, who is a free agent and is expected to sign elsewhere.

"We're very happy to have Placido back in a Phillies uniform," said Amaro. "He's a professional hitter who will enhance our lineup. As a Gold Glove infielder, we're very confident that he will make a smooth transition back to third base. Polly also gives us some added versatility at second base if and when Chase needs a rest."

Polanco, a career .303 hitter, spent the past four-plus seasons playing second base for the Detroit Tigers, who acquired him in a trade with the Phillies in 2005 for relief pitcher Ugueth Urbina and infielder Ramon Martinez.

Polanco hit .285 with 10 home runs and 72 RBIs in 618 at-bats last season with Detroit. He hit .341 in 2007 and .307 in '08.

He played only second base with the Tigers, with whom he won two of the past three American League Gold Glove Awards. Polanco has played 322 games in his career at third base, but only nine since the end of the 2004 season.

Polanco could bat between leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley at the top of the Phillies' lineup. Polanco struck out just once every 14.7 plate appearances in 2009, the second-best mark in the Majors. He has averaged just one strikeout every 17.5 plate appearances the past five seasons, which also is the second-best mark in the Majors.

It appeared the Phillies and Polanco's representatives were in serious discussions before the Tigers decided not to offer Polanco salary arbitration before Tuesday's 11:59 p.m. ET deadline. The fact that Philadelphia will not have to forfeit its first-round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft to sign him must have made him even more attractive to the team.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

I was sooooo upset when I heard Polly is leaving us!! I can't even believe it! I'm going to miss him lots

And now the darned Phillies are after Lyon! I am starting to hate this management team! Durbin, Polly, and Lyon would be to much.

Polly would be better in blue and orange with the English D.

As would Lyon,

As did Durbin.

Damned Phillies.

Polanco might have accepted arbitration
Second baseman left Tigers in offseason to rejoin Phils

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

03/11/10 5:12 PM EST

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Placido Polanco looks at home in the Phillies' clubhouse, even if he has to make third base his new home position. He spent enough years here before being traded to the Tigers in 2005 that it's a natural fit.

Still, the former Tigers second baseman would've had no problem staying in Detroit if given the chance. Had the club offered him arbitration, it very well might have.

For all the second-guessing over whether the Tigers should've offered arbitration to Polanco last winter in order to recoup two compensation Draft picks, the possibility that Polanco would've taken arbitration seemed more like a threat than a guarantee. Polanco provided some clarity on the matter Thursday morning as he prepared to face his former squad.

"You know, if they would've offered me arbitration, I probably would've accepted it," Polanco said. "Probably. I didn't know what was out there. Most teams were waiting on that. Most teams wait on that, because the type of free agent I was, they have to give up a Draft pick. So that kind of worked out well for me."

That suggests contract talks with the Phillies really didn't reach a definitive stage until the Tigers decided against arbitration.

Asked if he knew beforehand that the Phils were stepping up, Polanco said, "I had an idea, but nobody really takes a really aggressive step until the decision of arbitration is done."

Philadelphia signed Polanco a couple days later to a three-year, $18 million contract. Had Polanco accepted arbitration, Detroit president/general manager Dave Dombrowski estimated they would've had to settle with him for around a $9 million salary, which he suggested might have prevented some of their later moves.

"He wanted a multi-year deal, from us or from somebody else," Dombrowski said. "I do not know if he'd have gotten a multi-year deal if we had offered him arbitration. I think he would have now that I know what the Phillies gave him, but I did not know that at the time.

"In hindsight, would I offer Polanco [arbitration]? Sure, but I did not know at that time, and I was not prepared to pay him what one year of arbitration would be."

The Tigers were ready to slot prospect Scott Sizemore at second base, where Sizemore says he learned a bit from watching Polanco handle the position in Spring Training the previous couple of years. The two exchanged greetings in the indoor batting cages at Bright House Networks Field before the game.

"The thing that Polly did, from my understanding, he made everything real simple," Sizemore said. "He didn't try to make anything flashy or too complicated. Catch, throw, make the routine play every time. That's my goal."

Polanco, meanwhile, is back at his old club with a new position. Once he realized that a return to Detroit was unlikely, this was where he wanted to be. Realistically, though he might've accepted arbitration, he was glad they didn't offer it. Any feelings about Detroit didn't change the fact that he had a chance at a long-term deal in Philadelphia.

"If they would've wanted, they would've signed me," Polanco said. "They actually did a favor to me. They were very nice. They could've said, 'We don't want him, but we're going to get something for him, like a Draft pick.' But they didn't think like that. I don't know why they didn't. I don't know what was going through their mind, but they did it for me and I appreciate it."

The Tigers didn't do it as a favor, but many of them were glad things worked out for Polanco. And they were glad to see him Thursday.

Manager Jim Leyland remembers hitting Polanco ground balls every day around batting practice.

"He's one of the all-time treats for a manager, because you never worried about him," Leyland said. "You knew he was going to be the same every single day. You knew he was going to be ready every day. He's a real pleasure. I'm really missing him, and that certainly has nothing to do with Scott Sizemore. I'm saying I miss Polanco a lot, him being around.

"I really like him. I don't know if we're supposed to be friends or not with the players, but he's a friend. I really think the world of him."

Justin Verlander considered it strange facing Polanco when he stepped to the plate in the first inning Thursday.

"I wanted to go in on him," Verlander said. "It's one of those things where he's a friend of mine, so you're a little cautious of really riding one in there, because you don't want to hit him and hurt him. But if it was in-season, that's out the window. I went in, but I was a little cautious. It was good seeing him in there."

Polanco thinks plenty of the Tigers, too. He still keeps in touch with former teammates such as Ramon Santiago and Miguel Cabrera. He said he's proud of Cabrera for how he has handled his personal matters since last season ended.

He's glad things worked out on both sides. He admits in hindsight that the contract matter and the lack of talks on an extension weighed on him early last season, until he realized it was out of his control.

"At the end, you know what? You learn from that," Polanco said. "You learn you cannot control the situation and just go with it. Now that I've learned, I can tell other guys."

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.