Phillies: 4 top shortstop upgrades that need to replace Didi Gregorius in 2022

Marcus Semien would be a dream free agent signing for the Phillies

The Toronto Blue Jays would be absolute fools to let Marcus Semien go after the season he had, but as of the end of October, he’s set to hit free agency.

Semien made $18 million in 2021 but is projected to command an AAV of at least $19.5 million in his upcoming contract.

For the second full season in a row, Semien led MLB by playing in all 162 games and also led with 724 plate appearances. He hit .265/.334/.538 with a .873 OPS, the second season in his nine-year career in which his OPS was above .800.

The first-time All-Star’s .538 slugging percentage was the best of his career, as were his 351 total bases. He also hit a career-high 45 home runs, far surpassing his previous high of 33.

Semien’s career numbers in three games at Citizens Bank Park are poor, but his .423/.464/.731 line and 1.195 OPS in six games at Citi Field and .357/.357/.429 line and .786 OPS in three games at Atlanta’s Truist Park would certainly help the Phillies take on their division rivals.

In addition to 796 career games shortstop, Semien has played 176 games at second base and 50 at third, so he’d bring some versatility to the Phillies in addition to bat power.

The Phillies could poach Javier Báez from the Mets

Stealing Javy Báez from their division rivals would be a coup for the Phillies, who have not had much of an upper hand in the NL East over the last decade; their second-place finish was due in large part to the Mets’ collapse in the second half.

The Mets acquired Báez from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, and he hit .299/.371/.515 with a .886 OPS and 50 hits over 47 games after the trade. His extra-base production reduced after the trade, however; he hit nine doubles and nine home runs with the Mets after hitting nine doubles and 22 home runs in 91 games with the Cubs.

Báez also led the National League with 184 total strikeouts this season, but perhaps new Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long could help him with that the way he helped the shortstop’s former Cubs teammate, Kyle Schwarber.

Báez was paid $11.65 million in 2021, but is projected to have an AAV market value of $24 million in free agency. At 28 years old, he’s looking for the lucrative long-term contract that will put him somewhere for most, if not all of the remainder of his career.

The Phillies could target Trevor Story in free agency

It was a shock when the 2021 trade deadline came and went and Trevor Story was still a Colorado Rocky.

But it’s unlikely to be the case on Opening Day 2022, as the star shortstop is about to be a free agent and the Rockies are rebuilding. They will probably extend a qualifying offer to Story, and he could take it after his underwhelming season.

Story hit 24 home runs, drove in 75, and stole 20 bases in 2021, but a recurring injury and general underperforming will likely lower his market value. He hit .251/.329/.471 with a  .801 OPS over 142 games, the fewest games he’s played in a full season since his rookie year in 2016. His 248 total bases barely doubled his total from 2020, when he played in 59 games.

There is a possibility that Story takes the Rockies’ qualifying offer, tries to rebound in 2022, and then wades into the waters of free agency after his fellow shortstops sign this winter. However, MLB.com puts the Phillies right up there with the Rockies as two of Story’s likeliest suitors.

Corey Seager would be a perfect fit for the Phillies

Corey Seager is the kind of big fish Dave Dombrowski loves to reel in.

Seager hit .306/.394/.521 with a .915 OPS over 95 games this season. He’s seven years into his MLB career and has a Rookie of the Year award, two All-Star games, a pair of Silver Slugger awards, NLCS MVP, World Series MVP, and World Series ring under his belt.

However, Seager also has a concerning injury history that includes back and hamstring problems. He’s had Tommy John surgery and arthroscopic surgery for his hip, and this season fractured his hand when he was hit by a pitch facing the Marlins. Despite injuries preventing him from reaching his full potential, he’s considered one of the best in the game when he’s healthy.

The Dodgers star will be one of the most sought-after of this winter’s free-agent class, but he has two Phillies connections that could give Dombrowski the edge.

For one thing, Seager is a client of powerhouse agent Scott Boras, who also represents Bryce Harper.

But more importantly, early in his career, Seager was mentored by Chase Utley, whom the Phillies traded to the Dodgers during the 2015 season; Seager made his debut in September 2015. Utley spent the first 13 years of his career in red pinstripes, and the final four in Dodger blue.

Seager even chose Utley’s Players’ Weekend nickname for his jersey in 2017.

If the Phillies approach Seager, he will likely go to Utley for counsel. Utley enjoyed immense success in Philly, playing in six All-Star games (including five in a row), winning four consecutive Silver Slugger awards, and a World Series ring.

Could Seager pull a reverse-Utley and go from Los Angeles to Philadelphia?