SI.com's Jon Heyman is reporting that the Phillies and Placido Polanco are closing in on a three year deal. The deal is worth 18 million dollars, but holds an option for a fourth season.
The Phillies were seriously considering Mark DeRosa for third, but feel Polanco is a more valuable hitter at the top of the order, which will allow them to move Shane Victorino down to a more "run-producing spot."
Polanco, a .303 career hitter, hit .285 with 10 home runs last season. Polanco spent about 3 seasons in Philadelphia after being acquired from St. Louis, where he hit .299 with 38 home runs before he was traded to Detroit.