Philadelphia Phillies: 3 bargain free-agent infielders for bench depth

3. Danny Mendick

Another option that could likely be had as a minor-league free agent is the productive shortstop Danny Mendick, formerly of the Chicago White Sox. In 31 games last season, Mendick hit .289 with an on-base percentage of .343 and three home runs in 106 plate appearances. His season ended when he tore his ACL, colliding with former Phillies outfielder Adam Haseley.

Mendick has been a valuable player to the White Sox, who used him to fill in for star shortstop Tim Anderson for stints and more than held his own. He’s a good hitter who can play several positions decently well.

Mendick would be an experienced and proven option in the infield that would come at an extremely cheap price tag. The Phillies could offer him a chance to rehab and he could be a fill-in for the major league club as well as needed depth for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

This description from SB Nation’s South Side Sox describes Mendick’s 2022 season:

"But 2022 was much better, his storied mindset and disciplined approach to the game finally seeming to pay off for real, especially after Tim Anderson went down with the groin injury in May and Mendick started to get consistent time at primarily one position … Mendick, who turned 29 in September, really seemed to be finding a groove since his return from the minors, and it surely would have been welcome consistency anywhere in that lineup in the second half."

Mendick would be a straight-up bargain for the Phillies and a chance to win on a bounce-back player. The Phillies haven’t had a ton of success with these types of players, but Mendick would improve the bench and provide versatility and insurance behind Stott and the team’s shortstop.