Phillies: Will 2018 be Freddy Galvis’s last season in Philadelphia?

Freddy Galvis has been with the Phillies longer than anyone other current player, but will 2018 be his last season in Philadelphia?

There is something to be said for being the longest-tenured player on a team, especially one with as much turnover as the Phillies have had in the last few years. That player is often viewed as a leader in the clubhouse and a solid contributor on the field.

In Philadelphia, that player is Freddy Galvis. The shortstop has been a Phillie since 2012 and the everyday starter for the last three seasons. He has been a Gold Glove-caliber defender and is gradually improving as a hitter, although he still isn’t league-average in that regard.

This is the last offseason Galvis is arbitration-eligible. MLB Trade Rumors projects that Galvis will make $7.4 million in 2018. After that, he will be a free agent. Will he re-sign with the Phils?

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In most cases, a team would try to resign their everyday starter from the last few years before or after he reaches free agency. However, the situation is a little more complicated.

For starters, no one knows what the infield will look like to start off next season. The debut of J.P. Crawford at the end of the last year complicates the situation as he could realistically start the year at any one of second base, third base, or shortstop.

Add in the fact that Scott Kingery could be in the majors halfway through the year, and things get even more complicated.

Speculation indicates that Hernandez or Franco could be traded this winter, but even then that will only clear up the situation for so long. That still leaves Galvis in limbo once Kingery reaches the majors. He may start the year as the starting shortstop with Crawford at second or third, but by the end of the season he could be stuck as the backup.

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That puts Galvis in a weird position next offseason should he wind up on the bench in favor of Kingery and Crawford up the middle. He could re-sign as a utility player, but he won’t get as much money as he could somewhere else if he starts. At least one team would want Galvis to start for them to provide stellar defense and the occasional streak of offensive production, and they would pay him like a starter.

Even then, it’s hard to fully imagine a split between Galvis and the Phillies. The coaching staff and front office love him, and he is respected by many of his teammates.

Considering he is still fairly young at 28 years old, it’s hard to imagine him as the veteran leader, but that’s exactly what he is in Philadelphia.

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It would be great if Galvis can be kept in Philadelphia long-term, but will he want to stay as a utility infielder? If he isn’t the starter when the season ends next year, he very well could sign somewhere else to be the starter there.