Phillies among teams eyeing 2019 MVP finalist shortstop

The Phillies are exploring starting shortstop options for the 2021 season.

The Philadelphia Phillies appear to be interested in re-signing Didi Gregorius, but that will not preclude them from exploring other options at the shortstop position. According to a Wednesday report, the organization is among at least four teams interested in 30-year-old, eight-year veteran infielder Marcus Semien.

The Phillies, along with the Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, and Oakland Athletics, have all been involved “to some extent” in negotiations with the 2019 American League third-place Most Valuable Player Award finisher, MLB insider Jim Bowden reports.

“There are probably more clubs interested due to his versatility, athleticism, and durability,” Bowden added. “[His] strong postseason helped him.”

In 2019, Semien played all 162 games and slashed .285/.369/.522 with 43 doubles, seven triples, 33 home runs, 92 RBI, 87 walks and just 102 strikeouts across a MLB-high 747 plate appearances.

Playing 53 games this past season, however, the San Francisco native slashed just .223/.305/.374, although he produced eight hits, one home run, two RBI, three walks, and no strikeouts through 18 plate appearances in an ALDS loss to the Houston Astros.

Semien has played his entire career so far in the American League, starting with the Chicago White Sox (2013-14) and since with the A’s (2014-20). While primarily a shortstop, Semien has also played second base and third base in his big-league career.

Just weeks remain until the scheduled start of spring training and top free-agent shortstops Semien, Gregorius, and Andrelton Simmons remain unsigned. Yet, he Phillies landing one of them still is not a guarantee, as they could stick with an infield combination of Alec Bohm (third base), Jean Segura (shortstop), Scott Kingery (second base), and Rhys Hoskins (first base).

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski recently identified the shortstop position as one of the team’s top three areas needing to be addressed this offseason, so there should be no doubt or surprise that they are exploring potentially signing Semien.

Time will tell exactly who will be at the position full-time in red pinstripes in 2021.