When the Phillies signed Andres Blanco to a minor league deal back in 2012, they were probably expecting a veteran utility player to occupy their AAA roster. Instead what they got was a leader in the clubhouse that played three seasons in Philadelphia. Now, Blanco is a free agent, and it’s unclear whether the Phillies plan to bring him back or not.
Some of us at That Ball’s Outta Here feel that re-signing Blanco should be a top priority for the Phillies, but there are certainly other possibilities. One player that could take his place on the roster as the team’s utility man and a clubhouse leader is Daniel Descalso.
He’s got the same basic profile as Blanco (all glove, no bat), and they actually play the exact same positions.
Last season, Blanco spent time at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and left field. He spent most of his time between second and third, but has played innings at shortstop every season of his career.
How many positions did Descalso play for the Rockies last season? Five. Those five were first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and left field.
Neither is particularly great in the field or at the plate, but their presence as a mentor for the younger players is what makes them appealing.
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Former Rockies manager Walt Weiss even told BSN Denver’s Drew Creasman that he believes Descalso could coach someday. His playoff experience is part of it, but he definitely possesses some intangible traits:
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“He’s a winning player, he’s got a winning attitude, he’s a leader … so, his value goes way beyond the stat sheet. ” – Walt Weiss
Does this sound like someone we know? It should, because Phillies manager Pete Mackanin has said very similar things about Andres Blanco:
“Sometimes, guys are leaders verbally. But this guy leads by example. He’s got a great work ethic. He’s always happy.” – Pete Mackanin on Andres Blanco
Work ethic, attitude, and value that can’t be quantified by statistics. This is why Blanco, who had a season-high WAR of 0.8 before coming to Philadelphia, lasted three seasons on a rebuilding team. From an on-field standpoint, neither of these guys is going to produce much. Blanco was good for -0.2 WAR in 2016, and Descalso put up a mark of 0.6.
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I don’t think that Descalso is necessarily better than Blanco for the Phillies. However there has been little to suggest Blanco will return in ‘17, and I see Descalso as a player with a similar profile who is also a free agent. If the Phillies choose not to bring back Blanco, they would be wise to replace him with Daniel Descalso.