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Phillies news: 5 plans for filling a DH role in 2020

By George Stockburger

SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 4: Jay Bruce #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Bryce Harper #3, J.T. Realmuto #10 and Jean Segura #2 after hitting a grand slam during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park June 4, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 4: Jay Bruce #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Bryce Harper #3, J.T. Realmuto #10 and Jean Segura #2 after hitting a grand slam during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park June 4, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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A general view of Citizens Bank Park (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

A new batch of Phillies news looks at a potential return for baseball

Phillies news surrounding a return to play is picking up with league executives reportedly eyeing the start of regular season play in July.

Given the timeline of it currently being early May and knowing pitchers need about a month to prepare, the deadline would be approaching to get a plan in place, whether it be a one city, three city, or traditional hometown plan for baseball.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post laid out some of the details regarding what Major League Baseball is looking to do.

In the middle of his report, Heyman threw out a single sentence that he basically avoided for the rest of the story despite the fact it’ll open baseball’s Pandora’s Box.

"The gist of the plan emerged over the weekend and I can add a wrinkle — I heard that a DH will be used in both leagues, in part to protect pitchers who will have to ramp up to pitch in a shortened second spring."

The DH is obviously a heated debate in baseball between people who like the additional offense and those who prefer the strategy of the game. Personally, I believe it makes sense to expand the DH. Seeing more home runs is better than seeing National League pitchers hit a combined .131 last year.

If the Phillies do get an opportunity to use the DH they have several options to lean towards in a year where they’ll likely play about half of a normal season.

Jay Bruce

The Phillies could keep this conversation as simple as going with the traditional DH already on their team. Jay Bruce has typically found his way onto the field no matter where he goes, but he’s reached the point where playing DH could extend his playing career.

Bruce has only started 15 of his 1,608 games as a DH after breaking out as an outfielder in Cincinnati. He’s played the outfield and first base in New York, Cleveland, and Seattle before coming to the Phillies, but right now there’s no everyday job for him if there’s no DH.

Bruce certainly fills the “Matt Stairs role” as a big power hitter who can change the game with one swing. He’s done that 312 times in his long career and having him as an everyday DH would be a great move for the Phillies.

Getting Bruce consistent at-bats while rotating McCutchen, Haseley, and Quinn in the outfield could be the best of both worlds as well.

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