Phillies Rumors: Philadelphia Interested in Mike Fontenot

A source has told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that the Philadelphia Phillies have shown interest in free agent infielder Mike Fontenot.  Fontenot hit the open market after being released by the San Francisco Giants last week.  Philadelphia has been seeking infield depth due to injuries to starters Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Placido Polanco and reserve Michael Martinez.

This connection has been a long time coming.  Fontenot appeared to be the perfect fit for the Phillies since it was rumored that the Giants were shopping him a few weeks ago.  He’s a veteran who has acted as a starter and reserve, he can handle a bat, is a viable option at several infield positions, and he figures to be fairly inexpensive.

The 31-year-old was set to make just over $1 million with the Giants this season.  Now that he’s been released he could likely be had for at least slightly less than that figure.  Fontenot also owns a career OPS of .738 and has played second, third and short over the past two seasons.

Utley, Howard and Martinez are starting the season on the disabled list.  Polanco will start the season with the Phillies but is nursing yet another injury.  These developments have thrust rookie Freddy Galvis into a starting role and have the Phillies calling Ty Wigginton a backup option as a middle infielder.  Not exactly a situation a team with World Series aspirations expects to find itself on Opening Day.

This match seems to make too much sense not to happen.

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