Phillies: Howie Kendrick Trade Spells Bad News for Cody Asche
Once a promising prospect for the Phillies, Cody Asche could soon be out the door after a major trade shakes up the Phillies roster
Phillies General Manager Matt Klentak made his second trade of the offseason, bringing Howie Kendrick to Philadelphia in exchange for Darin Ruf and Darnell Sweeney. While Kendrick has predominately played second base in his career, the Phillies website lists him as an outfielder. Todd Zolecki also reports that the Phillies intentions are to have Kendrick be their everyday left fielder in 2017.
Unless the Phillies trade second baseman Cesar Hernandez, Kendrick looks to have the left field job all to himself next season.
This ultimately spells bad news for Cody Asche, the third baseman turned corner outfielder who spent much of 2016 in Lehigh Valley.
With Maikel Franco solidified at third base and Kendrick now the veteran in the outfield, Asche looks to be running out of time to prove himself as an everyday player.
In a weak farm system, Asche was one of the Phillies top prospects heading into the 2013 season. He arrived later that season, and has bounced between the infield, outfield, bench, and minor leagues for four seasons.
Through 371 games for the Phillies, Asche is hitting an unimpressive .240 with 310 strikeouts overshadowing his 31 home runs and Utley-esque swing.
Philadelphia will most-likely not designate Asche for assignment with seven spots remaining on the 40-man roster. However, he still remains a candidate to begin the season in Lehigh Valley to work on his approach and defense.
Next: Japanese Star Otani on the Phillies Radar?
If Asche can not show that he can at the very least be a utility player for the Phillies, his days in red pinstripes will be numbered. You hate to give up on a 26-year-old who was once the face of your farm system, but ultimately this is a business.
Asche stands to be either DFA’d and sent back to Lehigh Valley (if not claimed) or traded for another underachieving player looking for a chance of scenery.