Call to the pen
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Philadelphia Phillies: Trade bait up for debate

By Tal Venada

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates a home run with Maikel Franco #7 during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates a home run with Maikel Franco #7 during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Following Utley has produced an underappreciated Hernandez. Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images. /

Negotiations:     

If you’re thinking Quinn could bat first and replace Herrera, Klentak probably won’t take that risk. Yes, Quinn can do the job in center field and at the plate, not the disabled list. An MiLB campaign is 140 games, and the speedster hasn’t even hit triple digits in any summer. Ergo, he’s fragile!

Quinn’s appearances* played per 140-game slate:

  • 2012: 66 of 76 (short-season Low-A)
  • 2013: 67
  • 2014: 88
  • 2015: 58
  • 2016: 92
  • 2017: 45
  • 2018: 78
  • * Includes all contests at any level.

Dealing Herrera and Hernandez presents the consequential problem of who will defend center field and bat first. But the Phillies can’t gamble on losing Quinn without a replacement for both areas. Therefore, a proposal from another franchise must be more than prospects.

In the leadoff spot, Hernandez went from .294, a .371 OBP, six homers and 39 RBIs in ’16 to .294, a .373 OBP, nine home runs and 34 RBIs in ’17. Last year, he dropped to .253 with a 356 OBP but increased to 15 bombs and 60 RBIs. Do the locals believe he needs a change of scenery?

Regarding Herrera, you never know what he’ll do in April. The streaky hitter had flirted with .300 in ’15, and he drew a lot of walks as a leadoff man one summer. As for stats, he went from .281, a .325 OBP, 14 long balls and 56 RBIs in ’17 to .255, a .310 OBP, 22 blasts and 71 RBIs. Fans, is it time to move on from Herrera?

Not so fast! Both regulars have two things in common: a manager and a hitting coach. So, they worked counts and changed their launch angles. And the results were a decrease in average and OBP but an increase in homers and RBIs.  But remember, Herrera was watching a pitch or two to the catcher. A protest?

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