Rumor: Phillies Interested In Mark Loretta

Moving on from arbitration talk, the Phillies have been rumored to show interest in infielder Mark Loretta.

At 37, Loretta would make a feasible option as a stopgap infielder while Chase Utley recovers from hip surgery. In 2008, Loretta played 101 games, hitting .280 with four home runs and 38 RBI. Always having good plate discipline (close to a 1:1 career BB:K ratio), Loretta is also a pretty good fielder, committing a career-high 15 back in 1997.

Loretta would likely cost the Phils $2M or so for a year, or $5M for two. He was denied arbitration by the Astros yesterday.