Phillies sign shortstop Didi Gregorius to sure up infield

The Phillies have their new shortstop in Didi Gregorius

The Phillies have made their second splash of the offseason by signing shortstop Didi Gregorius, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post and MLB Network.

Sherman reports the deal is for one year worth $14 million, which takes a large sum of the Phillies remaining payroll without hitting the luxury tax.

On Tuesday morning Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and MLB Network reported that Gregorius was open to a one-year deal and that a one-year deal was “likely.”

The Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Yankees all had some level of interest, according to multiple reports throughout the offseason.

Gregorius now reunites with former Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who managed the young shortstop during his best years in New York.

Gregorius likely slides in as the Phillie starting shortstop with Jean Segura moving to either third or second base, replacing Cesar Hernandez or Maikel Franco.

Scott Kingery could also play either position in place of the departed long-time infielders.

Gregorius brings more power and defense to the position for Philadelphia, something they lacked in Segura. While in New York Gregorius had a power surge thanks to the short porch in Yankees Stadium. While the Phillies right field wall is 16 feet further back and mucher higher than the one in New York, Gregorius could still benefit from the hitter-friendly ballpark.

The Phillies could still look at a third baseman, but the addition of Gregorius likely takes them out of the Josh Donaldson and Anthony Rendon conversation. Todd Frazier or Travis Shaw could make sense and prevent a logjam with top prospect Alec Bohm almost ready to contribute at the big league level.