A creative way to get younger and keep Werth

Agent Scott Boras has been selling Jayson Werth as someone who can play both right and center field.

That is exactly how the Phillies need to look at this.

Werth can play center field, so sign him and let him play there.

The Phillies need payroll flexibility to be able to afford the amount of money Werth is going to command. While trading left fielder Raul Ibanez would be ideal, it's not realistic.

The alternative is trading Shane Victorino.

By moving Victorino, the Phils would free up $7.5 million. While that would not equal what Werth will make per year, keep in mind another $10 million will come off the board after 2011 when Ibanez becomes a free agent.

Victorino would have decent trade value in which the Phillies could go a few different directions. They could look for major league talent to help fill a void they have, possibly a bullpen arm. Or they could move him for prospects in an effort to continue building for the future.

By putting Werth in center, the Phillies could start the season with a Ben Francisco/Domonic Brown platoon in right field. Brown is obviously the long term solution here and if he plays well enough he can take over, as Werth did in 2008.

By moving Victorino this would help offset what the Phillies would lose in Werth - a middle of the lineup, right handed power hitter. At the same time, it would allow Brown to get in the lineup, thus giving the Phillies on area they are beginning to get younger.