Phillies: Could Odubel Herrera Get Some Time At Second?
There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the 2018 Phillies. Is there any chance Odubel Herrera gets some time at second base?
With the rumors surrounding the Phillies it is almost impossible to determine the opening day roster right now. If all the rumors were true this could be a team that ends up with Gerrit Cole, Jake Arrieta and Manny Machado come April.
Now, in addition to this eventful offseason and the Miami Marlins fire sale, Philadelphia has expressed interest in outfielder Christian Yelich. On top of the fact that Jeter wants to trade every player under the sun, Yelich has spoken out over his concerns with the teams rebuild so it is highly likely he will be traded.
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Yelich was part of a superstar outfield with Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna, who were both traded. A Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner the star outfielder has an impressive career .290 average while also driving in 179 runs over the past two years. They have been linked to Yelich for quite some time and considering Stanton and Ozuna did not draw in a single top 100 prospect, a deal could be doable for Philadelphia.
So where would that leave Philadelphia’s outfield? They currently have six outfielders all under the age of 27 on the active roster. Before the signing of first basemen Carlos Santana the starting outfield appeared to be Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams, and Aaron Altherr. Now with Rhys Hoskins in the outfield someone will be the odd man out.
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Cesar Hernandez has also had rumors buzzing around him this offseason. If he was shipped it is highly unlikely top prospect Scott Kingery would be ready for a full season as the starting second baseman. Eliezer Alvarez, who the club acquired from St. Louis this September, and Jesmuel Valentin are the only other second baseman on the 40-man roster. Neither have played a game in the MLB.
So what about Odubel Herrera? When the Phillies picked him in the 2014 Rule 5 Draft he was a second baseman converted outfielder. So he has the experience at the position.
Even if Hernandez stays put, he has only played more than 130 games once in his five year career. This would also make room in a cramped outfield.
Next: Who fills out the bullpen in 2018?
While it would be shocking if Herrera became the everyday second baseman, he could play some games there due to the Phillies current roster predicament. It’d be the same bat flipping El torito at the plate, but perhaps time will tell if Herrera’s infielders mitt is not as impressive as that one in center.