I bet every single player who is approaching free agency thinks about it. They usually say it doesn’t enter their mind, but it has to, right? Shane Victorino is one of the rare ones who admits that the pressures of impending free agency do weigh on his mind:
“I can’t say they’re not. ... I also can’t say they are,” Victorino said. “Is there a little something in the back of my mind, yeah. You want to have your best year.”
He also says that he’d love to stay in Philly and would like to start talks now if possible. That’s not likely to happen -- you figure the Phillies will wait and deal with Cole Hamels first -- but if Ruben Amaro does see Victorino as someone he wants to keep around long term, it wouldn’t be the worst time to make an offer, would it? Victorino is off to a slow start and could probably be had a bit cheaper now than he might if he turns things around in the second half.