That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies: Players traded away performing well for new teams

By George Stockburger

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 05: Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) rounds the bases after hitting a walk-off home run to end the Major League Baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians on April 5, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 05: Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) rounds the bases after hitting a walk-off home run to end the Major League Baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians on April 5, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PEORIA, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 22: J.P. Crawford #3 of the Seattle Mariners during the MLB spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at Peoria Stadium on February 22, 2019 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PEORIA, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 22: J.P. Crawford #3 of the Seattle Mariners during the MLB spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at Peoria Stadium on February 22, 2019 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The Move That Opened The Floodgates

Phillies general manager Matt Klentak kicked off the Phillies offseason with a multi-faceted trade involving the Seattle Mariners.

This trade allowed the Phillies to make every other move necessary to compete in 2019 and beyond. It moved Rhys Hoskins back to first base, thus opening an outfield spot and improving one of the league’s worst defenses. It also upgraded the shortstop position by adding an all-star and gave Philadelphia two more relievers for a long 162 game season.

Carlos Santana didn’t stay with the Seattle Mariners long, and in fact never put on their uniform. It wouldn’t surprise me if he never even went out to Seattle after the trade with the poorly kept secret that the Mariners were planning on flipping him. Just 10 days after being dealt by the Phillies, Seattle sent Santana back to the city where he played his first eight seasons.

Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies /

Philadelphia Phillies

Through 13 games for the Indians, Santana is hitting a remarkable .415 with nearly three times as many walks as strikeouts, though that’s not unexpected. Santana is comfortable back in Cleveland and reportedly never sold his house despite signing a three-year deal with the Phillies last offseason.

J.P. Crawford did not make the Mariners opening day roster despite the organization’s infatuation with his potential. Seattle can gain an extra year of control on Crawford’s contract if they keep him in the minors for a couple of weeks, which could have played into their decision.

Through eight minor league games, Crawford is hitting .313 with a perfect fielding percentage. There’s plenty of potential and time for Crawford, who’s still just 24-years-old. The former first round pick’s ceiling is a big reason why Seattle was comfortable swapping an All-Star shortstop for an apparent bargain in December.

I’m not overly concerned about how Santana is playing considering how big of a logjam he was forcing Hoskins into left field. If Crawford figures things out and becomes an All-Star, Gold Glove shortstop, maybe the Phillies will wince, but this deal still appears to be a great one for Klentak and Co.

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