That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies: Top 5 free agents to sign in 2021

By David Esser

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers prepares for a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Camelback Ranch on February 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers prepares for a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Camelback Ranch on February 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 28: Marcus Semien #10 of the Oakland Athletics plays shortstop during the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on September 28, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Athletics defeated the Mariners 1-0. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 28: Marcus Semien #10 of the Oakland Athletics plays shortstop during the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on September 28, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Athletics defeated the Mariners 1-0. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

#4. Marcus Semien, SS

Coming off a career year with the Oakland Athletics in 2019, Marcus Semien offers a unique opportunity to both the Phillies, and the rest of the MLB.

For starters, Semien likely won’t command the level of contract that future free agent shortstops like Javier Baez or Francisco Lindor will. Playing his last five years in a smaller market like Oakland, Semien has yet to see his name regularly associated with the “superstars” around the league.

With the MLB offseason increasingly becoming more “business-like” with each mega payday that’s handed out, Semien’s lack of true marketability will likely bring his overall price tag down a bit.

OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 20: Marcus Semien #10 of the Oakland Athletics hits a double during the game against the New York Yankees at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 20, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Yankees 6-2. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 20: Marcus Semien #10 of the Oakland Athletics hits a double during the game against the New York Yankees at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 20, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Yankees 6-2. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

Specifically for the Phillies, the team was entering the 2020 season in a bit of a “limbo” when it came to their infield. They had no natural third baseman, Scott Kingery was just beginning to make the permanent move to second base, and Didi Gregorius was signed to a one year deal to play shortstop. Whether the 2020 season gets played or not, it’s likely the Phillies future infield will look something like this:

1B: Rhys Hoskins, 2B: Scott Kingery, SS: ?, 3B: Alec Bohm

With Jean Segura getting moved to third over the spring, it’s clear the Phillies don’t view him as a long term option at shortstop. While recently drafted SS Bryson Stott has turned heads down in the minors, he won’t be ready to take over the starting job for at least another 2-3 years.

This is where Semien enters as a possible option for the Phillies. Assuming Gregorius doesn’t stick around, bringing in another proven shortstop to hold things down until Stott is ready makes a ton of sense.

While the Phils could ultimately get priced out on this move, don’t be surprised when they do their due diligence on Semien.

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