Moving on - Ex-Cardinal Polanco likes the view in Philadelphia

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Leaving St. Louis last July was tough on Placido Polanco, now a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. The Cardinals not only were a very close team after losing one of their own, but also atop the NL Central standings.

But as difficult as it to break away from a ballclub that together grieved the death of teammate Darryl Kile and was headed for postseason play, Polanco realized that being traded to the non-contending Phillies wasn't so bad.

"When I went to Philly and the way (they) treated me, I liked it right away," said Polanco, a career .296 hitter who was traded July 29 in a four-player deal that sent All-Star third baseman Scott Rolen to the Cardinals.

"Of course I want to be on a winning team and we were close last year because of everything that happened. But the trade really didn't hurt at all because I came to Philadelphia and everybody treated me like I was here for years. I really can't complain at all," he said.

Polanco wasn't just welcomed with open arms in his new clubhouse. Because he initially replaced the disgruntled Rolen at third base, Phillies fans made Polanco an instant favorite.

"The people in Philadelphia were great to me," said Polanco, who hit .288 for the season but .296 in 53 games with the Phillies. "Even the media. I really like everything about Philadelphia."

Polanco, 27, likes the talent on his new team, too. Even as the Phillies were finishing third in the NL East last season with an 80-81 record, he was convinced his new team was loaded with very good young talent.

Now that the Phillies have added pitcher Kevin Millwood, first baseman Jim Thome and third baseman David Bell, he believes his team can be as good this season as the 2002 Cardinals, a team that won 97 games and a division title.

"It's only a matter of time before we put it together," Polanco said.

The addition of Bell has affected Polanco, who is shifting to second base full-time after playing most of his games at third base the last two seasons, including 131 last season.

Polanco said he's happy about the switch. Although he was rotated around the infield during his four seasons in St. Louis, the Dominican Republic native is a natural second baseman.

"I fit there better than third base, so this should work out good for us," Polanco said. "Second base is more my position. I'm not a big guy and I'm a put-the-ball-in-play hitter."

With Polanco at second base, there will be less of a need for him to hit for power, which isn't his strength. Polanco established career-highs last season with nine homers, 46 RBIs and 32 doubles, but he's known more for being an unselfish No. 2 hitter who routinely gives himself up to move runners up.

"You need people like Polanco on your team because of the little things he does," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. "He's very valuable to us."

Polanco still misses some things about St. Louis, especially his former teammates and, of course, Darryl Kile, who died in June from blocked coronary arteries.

"He was one of the best teammates I ever had," Polanco said. "I'm never going to get over that."