Cody Asche to stay at third base

May 13, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Cody Asche (25) watches the ball pass by him on a fielding error in the sixth inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Angles won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The left side of the infield at Citizens Bank Park will be seeing more cleat imprints from Cody Asche.

The Philadelphia Phillies say they won’t be trying Asche in the outfield at this point and he’ll remain at third base.  After meetings and discussions, general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. said there was indeed talk of Asche getting a look in the outfield, but says at this point in time he will stay at the hot corner.

That isn’t to say Asche won’t have competition at third come Spring Training.  Maikel Franco, who played with the Phillies in September, is currently playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic.  There’s no question Franco is currently a part of the Phillies future plans, but he could also play first base on occasion according to Ruben Amaro. The club has said, however, it does not wish to make Franco a permanent first baseman even if Ryan Howard can be moved in the offseason.

More than likely, Asche and Franco will share time at third in 2015 seeing as both are still young and, hopefully for the Phillies, have yet to fully blossom. Franco especially will benefit for more big league playing experience as he only played in 16 games with the Phillies in 2014.

Shakeups on the roster seem imminent for the Phillies this offseason and although signs point to a platoon of Asche and Franco at third, there doesn’t seem to be any player totally safe from trade discussion.