Report: Phillies Show Interest in Josh Hamilton, Talking With Cody Ross

by Ricky Doyle on Tue, Nov 13, 2012 at 10:42AM

The Phillies apparently aren’t afraid to drop some dough this offseason.

ESPN’s Buster Olney sent out a couple of tweets regarding the Phillies on Monday that seem to show a willingness on Philadelphia’s part to explore a couple of free-agent outfielders.

Josh Hamilton is believed to be seeking a monster contract, but according to Olney, Philadelphia is OK with giving the 31-year-old a high annual salary. The Phillies do, however, have concerns about the length of the deal.

If Philly opts to go in a different direction, or looks to really splurge, perhaps Cody Ross could be an outfield solution. Olney reports that the Phillies are among the teams talking to Ross, who is also a free agent after one season in Boston.

Hamilton has been selected to five straight All-Star Games and was the 2010 American League MVP. In 2012, he hit .285 with 43 home runs and 128 RBIs, although he tailed off toward the end of the season.

Ross, who turns 32 in December, was a bright spot amidst the Red Sox’ dark 2012 campaign. He .267 with 22 home runs and 81 RBIs while becoming a fan favorite for his gritty style of play.

Both outfielders are certainly attractive on-field options. It’s simply a matter of which teams are willing to open up the checkbook.

The Phillies are OK with the high annual salary that Josh Hamilton might command, but they have concerns about the length of the deal.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 12, 2012