3 position players the Phillies should still target as depth pieces for 2024
By Matt Grazel
Whit Merrifield
Whit Merrifield can still contribute to the majors despite turning 35 in January. Last season with the Toronto Blue Jays, the utility player posted a .272/.318/.382 line with 27 doubles and 67 RBI in 547 plate appearances. He also had 26 stolen bases out of 36 attempts.
That’s All-Star Whit Merrifield To You ⭐️ #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/cAMDzX3xhx
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 7, 2023
Merrifield has demonstrated his ability to play at multiple positions defensively, including first and second base in addition to all three spots in the outfield. Besides second, the other two positions he has played the most throughout his career are right and left field. He has a career fielding percentage of .990 in 181 games in right field and .994 in 119 contests in left.
MLB Network insider Mark Feinsand listed the three-time All-Star as a fit for the Phillies. He cites Merrifield's defensive ability to play multiple positions as valuable, particularly for a championship team such as Philadelphia.
Tommy Pham
The 35-year-old Tommy Pham proved he could contribute last year, specifically to a contender. The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired him from the New York Mets at the Trade Deadline last year.
Sup Pham? pic.twitter.com/ZRHbWtpagK
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) October 28, 2023
During the Diamondbacks' run to the World Series last season, Pham finished with a stat line of .279/.297/.475 line and a .772 OPS in 16 contests. He had one hit or more in four of the five World Series contests against the Texas Rangers. The outfielder went 8-for-19 with three doubles, three runs, two RBI, and one home run during the Fall Classic.
Tommy Pham talks here about the D-Backs’ clubhouse and how he fit in. In full show Pham explained what he would have changed about the Mets (but has only praise for Buck Showalter). Joel and I make our Hall picks
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 23, 2023
Apple: https://t.co/ymdkuQ1EbJ
Spotify: https://t.co/bGFJr8OCfA pic.twitter.com/exa71o3c5C
Pham mentioned on a previous episode of the podcast The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman that he wants to play every day for a team in 2024. Unless a team suffers an injury or two to outfielders leading up to the start of the regular season, the veteran may end up signing a minor league deal, even though that may not be his first choice.
He could conceivably start for the Phillies in left if the club were to sign him and he performed exceptionally during spring training. If Pham was to do well, it may be in the Phillies' best interest to play him every day.
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