3 Perfect OF replacements for injured Phillies star Bryce Harper in 2023

Three potential outfield replacements for injured Phillies star Bryce Harper

With Thanksgiving upon us, the Philadelphia Phillies are undoubtedly thankful for their improbable 2022 season that finished two wins shy of a World Series championship.

The Phillies would not have advanced to their first Fall Classic since 2009 without the contributions of National League Championship Series MVP Bryce Harper. According to an announcement from the organization Wednesday evening, it appears the star slugger will be sidelined for a significant portion of the 2023 season’s first half.

Harper underwent successful “right elbow UCL reconstruction/repair with ulnar nerve transposition” on Wednesday in Los Angeles. The Phillies say they expect Harper to return as the designated hitter by the All-Star Break, and possibly return as the right fielder toward the end of the regular season.

In other words, the Phillies lineup will have a significant void. And while a combination of Rhys Hoskins, Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Alec Bohm, and others will see time in the lineup as the designated hitter, the spot will likely more times than not be given to Nick Castellanos.

Castellanos serving as the designated hitter until Harper’s return translates into the Phillies needing a right fielder. Other than Matt Vierling as an option, here are three bats that President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski could pursue this offseason:

1. Joey Gallo

The Phillies seem to be in at least one rumor involving Joey Gallo every season. The eight-year veteran is coming off of a disappointing season in which he slashed just .160/.280/.357 with 19 home runs and 47 RBI in126 combined games with the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Now a free agent, Gallo is likely looking for an opportunity to bounce back and sign a one-year, prove-it deal — with the hopes of cashing in next offseason.

Gallo’s best seasons came in 2017 and 2018, when he slugged a combined 81 home runs. Perhaps the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park can help the power hitter “turn back the clock” to those impressive seasons.

3. Masataka Yoshida

One of the more intriguing available players this Major League Baseball offseason is outfielder Masataka Yoshida, who reportedly will be posted by Nippon Professional Baseball’s Orix Buffaloes in Japan.

Yoshida seems like the least likely of the three names who would sign with the Phillies this offseason, however — despite his obvious fandom of Harper. Yoshida has worn Harper’s former No. 34, but even so, money will inevitably talk.

The 29-year-old has consistently produced eye-catching numbers for the Buffaloes in recent years, especially this past season. In 119 games, Yoshida slashed .335/.447/.561 with 21 home runs, 88 RBI, 80 walks and just 41 strikeouts across 508 plate appearances. Teams like the New York Yankees — who could lose slugger Aaron Judge in free agency this offseason — would undoubtedly outbid the Phillies for Yoshida.

The Phillies front office — led by President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski — has some critical decisions to make in the coming weeks. A move one way or the other could either significantly help or hurt their chances to repeat as National League champions and take the next step to become World Series champions.

Gallo, McCutchen and Yoshida are just three of the many routes Dombrowski could choose from as he fills out the starting lineup. Not to mention, Trea Turner and Xander Bogaerts are among the rumored names in the mix to replace Jean Segura in the Phillies infield. Plus, if the club signs McCutchen on a likely cheap and team-friendly deal, there would be more funds allocated to filling other holes on the roster.

The offseason is just a few weeks old, and will surely only get more interesting as time goes on.