Philadelphia Phillies: Time to Acquire a Bat?
By Tal Venada
Scrutinizing his list of free agents and available outfielders on other rosters, Klentak knows two things: He needs at least a left-handed bat with pop for left field. Franco, Joseph and Rupp are his right-handers with power, while Herrera and Galvis can supply limited muscle from the left side: Galvis hit .249 with 17 long balls and 53 RBIs against right-handed pitching. So, the decision-maker envisions his 2017 lineup: SH Hernandez (1), SH Quinn (2), LH Hererra (3), RH Franco (4), LH outfielder (5), RH Joseph (6), RH Rupp (7) and SH Galvis (8).
"IN OTHER WORDS: “I am dead set against free agency. It can ruin baseball.” –George Steinbrenner"
Free-agent outfielders (left-handed hitters):
- Josh Reddick, 29.5, LAD: 439 PA, .281 Avg., 10 HR, 37 RBI and a .749 OPS with a $6.575 million contract for 2016. He hit 20 homers in 2015.
- Colby Rasmus, 30, HOU: 417 PA, .206 Avg., 15 HR, 54 RBI and a .641 OPS with a $15.8 million contract for 2016–he had Vertigo and dizziness in July and August.
- Michael Saunders, almost 30, TOR: 558 PA, .253 Avg., 24 HR, 57 RBI and an .815 OPS with a $2.9 million contract for 2016–he may not receive a QO (qualifying offer).
- Jon Jay, 31.5, SD: 373 PA, .291 Avg., 2 HR, 26 RBI and a .728 OPS with a $6.225 million contract for 2016.
Because the club went from the number-one pick overall in the 2016 MLB Draft to a higher selection in ’17, Klentak is overseeing an advanced stage of rebuilding. In other words, Double D, even though the franchise has the money, one signed hitter won’t produce a championship: They will fill the hole in the order with a moderately priced bat. But management is still evaluating their outfield talent from Double-A to the majors and doesn’t want to block the path of outfielder Dylan Cozens, who will be with the IronPigs next season. And if he’s ready for 2018 to join Herrera and Quinn, Klentak will only have a place for him if he acquires a stopgap now, like he did in the rotation with Jeremy Hellickson.