Cristian Pache
Perhaps among all of the Phillies players currently on the big league roster, Cristian Pache is the most likely to find himself on the bubble. It might have surprised many that Philadelphia didn’t cut Pache first instead of Merrifield. After all, both players were struggling to about the same degree, but Merrifield still provided more production and some added flexibility in the lineup.
In the case of Pache, he has been having an underwhelming 2024 with the Phillies after re-signing with the team to a value one-year, $760,500 contract this past offseason. In 46 games as a bench reserve player, he has hit a measly .200 with a .568 OPS, along with just eight runs scored, five doubles, zero home runs and nine RBI.
His elite defense still remains his strongest attribute, as he has registered 5 DRS and committed only two errors in 67 total chances for a .970 fielding percentage. However, similar to the situation with Merrifield, it can only carry so much if the performance at the plate isn’t there to match it.
More importantly, with the Phillies actively looking for outfield help both in a starting and bench role as the trade deadline approaches, Pache’s days with the club could be coming to a close some time soon.
If Merrifield, with his proven track record and veteran leadership, couldn’t survive the axe, the chances of Pache making it through to the end of the season are slim to none. So it might not be a matter of if, just a matter of when.