Sept 12, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano (12) hits a home run against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

There have been numerous reports coming out in the past couple of days talking about the Phillies being a good fit for Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano. The reason why this is being brought up is because FOX Sports Jon Paul Morosi reported that the Cubs just might trade Soriano.

The question is: Should the Phillies take a look at this old outfielder? Remember this is not the Alfonso Soriano of the New York Yankees back in his hay day. Soriano is 36 years old and remember if you are the Phillies you want to get younger not older.

Last season, in 151 games played with the Cubs, Soriano had a great year with 32 home runs, 1o8 RBIs, and a .262 batting average. By his numbers alone last season makes him enticing to trade for but you have to remember his contract situation. Soriano signed an eight year, $136 million contract with the Cubs back in November of 2006 and he is due to make $18 million this upcoming season. So that could scare the Phillies away and also he can only play left field.

Left field is a position that the Phillies do not need to go after because they have Darin Ruf and Domonic Brown. We finally saw some growth from Brown last season after the Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino trades.

If I’m the Phillies and if you want Soriano, then do it at the right price. Do not give up your best prospects for an aging outfielder instead give up some second tier prospects that have already hit their ceiling. Let’s keep an eye on this possible rumor because there might be some buzz to this.

Jovan Alford is a staff writer for The Sixer Sense, a writer for Buzz On Broad covering the Philadelphia 76ers and Local College Basketball, and is a writer for Rant Sports covering the A-10 Conference for College Basketball.

Follow me on twitter @Jovan10 for Sixers, College Basketball, NFL, MLB, and all sports updates.

For any inquiries contact me via email: jovan.alford@gmail.com

Oct 7, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Mark Reynolds (12) singles in the sixth inning of game one of the 2012 ALDS against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE

On Friday, the Baltimore Orioles did not offer first baseman Mark Reynolds a contract for next season making him a free agent. This automatically spurred an idea in my head and that is should the Phillies take a look at him for the third base position. Now you might be saying to yourself that Reynolds is only a first baseman, well not so fast, he also plays third base. He is a right handed bat and brings some serious power numbers!

I think he definitely fills the Phillies needs at third base. In his career so far, Reynolds has played six seasons at third base between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles. At the third base position, he has played in 655 games and started in 641 of those games. His career fielding percentage is .928 and has only committed 114 errors.

Last season with the Orioles, he played 15 games at third base and only committed six errors, which isn’t bad at all. His fielding stats are adequate enough to get you by but what should excite Phillies fans is Reynolds’ power numbers. So far during his six year career, he has amassed 181 home runs and 651 RBIs but what is concerning is his .235 career batting average.

His career batting average too many fans is a deep concern because you do not need that in our lineup, which is totally understandable. Three years ago with the Diamondbacks, Reynolds had 44 home runs, 102 RBIs, a .260 batting average, but 223 strikeouts which is outrageous to a point.

The good thing about Reynolds is that his strikeouts have been going down considerably every year. Last season with Baltimore, he only had 159 strikeouts which is good compared to his early career numbers. In continuing to talk about last season, Reynolds had 23 home runs, 69 RBIs, but a .221 batting average. But you know what; I’ll take that from Reynolds, its way better than what you could possibly get from third base this upcoming season anyway.

We will see how much Reynolds wants on the free agent market but if it’s the right amount, then you just might see him at third base for your Philadelphia Phillies this upcoming season.

Jovan Alford is a staff writer for The Sixer Sense, a writer for Buzz On Broad covering the Philadelphia 76ers and Local College Basketball, and is a writer for Rant Sports covering the A-10 Conference for College Basketball.

Follow me on twitter @Jovan10 for Sixers, College Basketball, NFL, MLB, and all sports updates.

For any inquiries contact me via email: jovan.alford@gmail.com

1. The bigger the name, the bigger the rumor.

2. Mo’ Money, Mo’ Attention

3. Prospects are like currency, and they get treated as such.

While it’s fun to get caught up in guessing which high profile players will be changing teams, it’s often the smaller moves that make just as much of an impact. Many big names have been batted around for the Phillies such as B.J. Upton, his brother Justin, Michael Bourn, and even A-Rod. While acquiring anyone one of these players would make waves and draw big headlines, the Phillies won’t get full value. The following are five under the radar names for the Phillies to consider. They may not be sexy, but they would improve the team without sacrificing the future of the team.

Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

OF Peter Bourjos LAA

There are two things that may make it feasible for the Phillies to pry Bourjos away from the Halos. His numbers were down dealing with injuries last year, and the emergence of Mike Trout. Trout could take over in center making Bourjos expendable. He is a standout defensive centerfielder who would make Phillies fans forget about Shane Victorino. When healthy in 2011, he led the league in triples and had a WAR of 4.8 Not to mention he is only 25 years old! Given his age and affordability (under team control until 2017) the Phils would have to give up a top pitching prospect. If the Angels are interested in Vance Worley or Trevor May the Phillies should pull the trigger immediately.

Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

OF Coco Crisp OAK

Aside from from having the best name in baseball, Coco Crisp is one of the most underrated center fielders. At age 33 Crisp is no spring chicken, but he stole 39 bases for the A’s last year, and provided veteran leadership for the young squad that stole the AL West from the Rangers. Crisp is owed 7 million next year with a club option, so adding his salary wouldn’t be an obstacle. The Phillies could entice the A’s by dangling some of their younger pitching prospects such as Trevor May or Jonathan Pettibone. The A’s acquisition of Chris Young from the D-Backs gives them an overload of outfielders, making Crisp available for the right price.

David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

RHP Chris Perez CLE

The Phillies should get to the front of the line with the Cleveland Indians going into sell mode. One player who could be traded in all-star closer Chris Perez. As fans learned this year, an all-star closer doesn’t provide much value on a losing team. The Phils still need someone who can lock down the eight inning behind Papelbon, and Perez would bring quite a pedigree. He is arbitration eligible and should received somewhere between 5-6 million. That may seem a bit high for a non closer, but the Phillies would avoid the risk of getting locked into multiple years with free agent relievers. Sebastian Valle, Tyler Cloyd, and low A prospect could get the ball rolling.

RHP Luke Gregerson SD

Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

While Chase Headly is the popular name mentioned in every Padres rumor, Luke Gregerson could provide much needed relief at half the cost. Gregerson has been a shut-down reliever in San Diego since 2009, getting better each season. In 2012 he had an ERA+ of 153 while striking out 72 batters in 71.2 innings. If the rumored asking price for Headly is the same as what the Fathers got for Mat Latos last year (4 prospects), Gregerson would only command 2 mid level players. The Phils could start negotiations with Cesear Hernandez and Roman Quinn, with the Padres desperate for offense. Gregerson is under team control until 2015.

David Banks-US PRESSWIRE

CF Alerjandro De Aza CWS

De Aza isn’t a player the White Sox would let go of easily, but if the Phillies are serious about finding a long term option in Center they would be wise to call and check on the Dominican native. De Aza has that rare blend of speed and power, that he is only beginning to harness. In his first full season last year Alejandro hit 9 homers while slugging .410, and stealing 26 bases. He did struggle a bit against lefties, but his home/road splits suggest he’s not a product of US Cellular Field. Given his age and low price tag De Aza would require a hefty bounty. Trevor May, Vance Worley, and Dominic Brown may not be enough, but if the White Sox bite Ruben Amaro should jump all over a deal.