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Phillies: Could Odubel Herrera be out of picture in 2018?

By Kerry Kauffman

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 13: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks off the field after being called out at third base after trying to tag up from second base on a fly ball in the fifth inning during a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 13, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mets won 6-2. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 13: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks off the field after being called out at third base after trying to tag up from second base on a fly ball in the fifth inning during a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 13, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mets won 6-2. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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One of the Phillies best hitters may not stick around much longer

The Phillies are getting a good look at Nick Williams and Rhys Hoskins over the final month and a half of the season. So far they are showing early signs of being ready for regular duty at the Major League level. While that is great for them and the organization, it could spell the end for Odubel Herrera in a Phillies uniform.

Herrera was up until recently thought of as one of the building blocks.  Certainly, this could still be the case, but more questions and increasing speculation that Herrera could be gone via trade before the start of the 2018 season.

Herrera is batting .287 with 36 doubles, 12 home runs and 46 RBI. He also plays an excellent center field. On the downside, Herrera has a terrible 103-to-28 strikeout-to-walk ratio, has only seven stolen bases and has made numerous boneheaded plays on the base paths. His overall numbers will likely surpass those in 2016 in most categories except in stolen bases.  So why could Herrera be on the way out?

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The Phillies would likely move Hoskins to first base next season, should Tommy Joseph be moved, which appears to be the consensus. But Joseph has put up good numbers and is on pace to hit 22 home runs and knock in 80.  That would mean Hoskins, who has three home runs in his first 26 at-bats, could remain in the outfield with Altherr (16 home runs and .894 OPS) and Williams (.291 average and .854 OPS) to start 2018.

Even if Joseph leaves and Hoskins moves to first, the Phillies have talent waiting in the wings. Roman Quinn is hitting .274 with ten stolen bases at Lehigh Valley and is still on the radar. Injuries will determine his future, as another season appears lost after an elbow injury. Carlos Tocci hit .307 at Double-A Reading and could be a factor soon after being promoted to Lehigh Valley. Don’t forget 2016 and 2017 first round draft picks, Mickey Moniak and Adam Haseley. While still in A ball, the upside appears to be great for both of these players.

Next: Mike Moustakas could rake as the Phillies third baseman

Odubel Herrera getting traded is far from a certainty, but it’s more of a possibility now than early in the season. The last month and a half of this season and the off season could be an interesting and telling one for the future of the organization.

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