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Phillies rumor: Jonathan Schoop a potential option at 2B

By George Stockburger

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Jonathan Schoop #16 of the Minnesota Twins in action against the New York Yankees in game one of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 04, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Twins 10-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Jonathan Schoop #16 of the Minnesota Twins in action against the New York Yankees in game one of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 04, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Twins 10-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Would the Phillies go for a stopgap at second base this offseason?

Phillies general manager Matt Klentak told reporters that the team is going into the Baseball Winter Meetings looking for at least one infielder after allowing Cesar Hernandez and Maikel Franco to walk.

A majority of the attention has been focused on adding either third baseman Josh Donaldson or Anthony Rendon, or shortstop Didi Gregorius. The attention surrounding Gregorius has been the loudest given his connection to manager Joe Girardi after they spent several years together with the New York Yankees.

Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia noted on his podcast “At The Yard” that second baseman Jonathan Schoop would be an option if the Phillies can’t get Rendon, Donaldson, or Gregorius.

“I would keep my eye on a guy like Jonathan Schopp who had a pretty good year with the Twins last year. Free agent, history in Baltimore with the front office. Got some pop, probably would show some pop in this ballpark.”

Salisbury also mentioned Todd Frazier, another former Girardi player and South Jersey native, as a potential option.

Schoop has hit at least 20 home runs in his last four seasons, including 32 for Baltimore in 2017 when he was an All-Star and received MVP votes. Last year with the Twins Schoop .256 with 23 home runs and 23 doubles in 121 games.

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If the Phillies go with Schoop it would likely be a short-term deal and would put Scott Kingery at third base to start the season. While Kingery played 65 games in center field last year, Salisbury believes the plan is for Kingery to play the infield and let former first round pick Adam Haseley get the majority of playing time in center field. 

Schoop would likely be among the last-case scenarios for Philadelphia next year, but he wouldn’t be their worst option. He’d give them more power than Hernandez did at the position while sacrificing the speed and on-base ability.

Keep an eye on this one as the offseason continues, especially if the Phillies miss out on the big fish.

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