With their budding depth in the middle infield, the Phillies have some tough decisions regarding infielders Freddy Galvis and Cesar Hernandez.
Very little is expected from the 2017 Phillies in the won/loss column, but the organization as a whole has been widely regarding as one of the deepest in baseball.
That has been on full display this spring, especially in their very deep middle infield. Shortstop J.P. Crawford, has been one of the top prospects in the game the past few years, has had a very impressive spring thus far. He is expected to see the Phils starting lineup by the trade deadline, but a few lesser known young players may push general manager Matt Klentak into a trade months before he was fully prepared to do so.
Most notably, second baseman Scott Kingery has been a favorite of manager Pete Mackannin this spring, especially defensively. He will start the year with Double-A Reading but he is on the fast track to Philadelphia.
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Jesmuel Valentin has brought an advanced eye to the system and makes very good contact for a young player. A switch-hitter like his father, former infielder Javier Valentin, plays a solid second-base, with the team hoping to add some versatility to his game by playing him at both shortstop and third base this spring. He will begin the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley with a possible promotion after the July trade deadline if this progresses accordingly.
That leaves the current middle infield in Philadelphia very much in limbo. Second baseman Cesar Hernandez, coming off a great 2016, has never been more marketable. Although he suffers from some mental lapses at times, Herandez’s ability to get on base from the leadoff spot, his speed, and very affordable salary would be a perfect long-term fit for a team like the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
The Angels patchworked the position this off-season by acquiring Danny Espinosa from the Nationals. He has power and plays a very good second base as well as shortstop, but his batting average continues to dip by the season and he is only a one-year fix.
Herandez’s ability to get on base from the leadoff spot, his speed, and very affordable salary would be a perfect long-term fit for a team like the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
The Angels farm system is one of the worst in baseball and according to MLB.com’s rating of their top 30 prospects, there isn’t a natural second-baseman among them.
A team as deep as the Phillies are could raid the Angels’ major-league roster to prepare themselves for contention in 2018 or 2019. Someone like outfielder Kole Calhoun would be a good addition. He has hit as many as 26 home runs in a season and will turn 30 until October.
Righty Garrett Richards is another name that could be a big addition to the Phillies rotation. Richards is coming off of Tommy John surgery, but previous to that was the Angels top starter, winning 13 and 15 games in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
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However, adding a starting pitcher by trade may be the Phillies best bet, as the free-agent crop in 2018, led by Jake Arrieta, will end up a bidding war with Yankees and that’s not something that makes a great deal of sense. Marco Estrada is a solid second option in next year’s class, but adding the 28-year old Richards would save Philadelphia from throwing big money and multiple years to a mid-30’s starting pitcher.
Shortstop Freddy Galvis had a great bounce back season last year, both with the glove and the bat. His 20 home runs in 2016 surprised many, with his defense stealing even more of the show.
On the other hand, Galvis’s plate discipline is a weak point that will never improve much. Even with 2016 being his best offensive season by far, he brought along an underwhelming .274 OBP.
Yes, Galvis has his faults, but his glove, at his current $4 million price tag, will find a taker.
San Diego would be a great spot for Galvis. The Padres have a solid young outfield with the powerful Hunter Renfroe, top prospect Manuel Margot, and either Alex Dickerson or Travis Janikowski in left.
They have an arsenal of power arms in their bullpen as well, like Ryan Butcher, Brandon Maurer, and Luis Perdimo to name but a few. A match could be found for Galvis there, or he could be one of the league’s most versatile players off the bench.
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Anyway you slice it, Philadelphia is in prime position to be one of the National League’s deepest franchises going forward, even though their 2017 is not likely to reflect it.