Hunter Pence
A reunion with one of the Phillies final big acquisitions from their last playoff stretch could rejuvenate the bench.
After fighting for a major league job in spring training, Hunter Pence has been lighting it up down in Arlington, hitting .316 with 10 home runs in his first 34 games for the Rangers. Texas is a team continuing to rebuild after going all in a couple of years ago with the Cole Hamels trade.
At 36-years-old Pence has no long-term role in Texas and becomes an intriguing trade chip after most teams counted him out. A two-time World Series champion with the San Francisco Giants, Pence brings playoff experience the Phillies need. The trade return shouldn’t be more than a mid-level prospect the Rangers can develop in their minor league system.
While not an everyday outfielder for the Phillies at this point in his career, Pence would supply power off the bench and more of a veteran presence in the locker room. Philadelphia’s bench is extremely weak with Sean Rodriguez and Phil Gosselin filling in after Aaron Altherr and Nick Williams flunked out early in the season.
Phillies pinch hitters are hitting just .165 with one home run this year, and Pence fills the role of a big bat. Could he be the 2019 version of Matt Stairs for Philadelphia?