Jake Cave
A perennial bench bat/platoon outfielder for the Phillies in 2023, Jake Cave was about as league average as one can get.
Over parts of 65 games, the 30-year-old posted a -0.2 WAR, just below the league average. Cave hit .212, driving in 21 runs and ending the season with just under 40 hits. His major role in the offense was hitting right-handed pitching off the bench in tight moments, hitting almost 90 points better against righties in comparison to lefties (.138 vs. .226).
The Phillies recently agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with Cave, which doesn't necessarily mean he has a roster spot in 2024. While he struggled in the Major Leagues, at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Cave hit .346 with 16 home runs in 59 games. The only issue is that he's now out of minor-league options.
The former career Minnesota Twin is a fringe player at best for a team with aspirations of winning championships. He played the same role throughout his time with the Twins, however, they were in the in-between phase of trying to win and actually winning. If the Phillies want to get back to the point where they were the past two seasons and eclipse the final obstacle, Cave could end up being a casualty before this time next year.
Grade: D