Phillies: Plan B revisited post-Winter Meetings

Outfield realignment:

While Rhys Hoskins‘ left field defense was well below average, Nick Williams wasn’t a strong glove in the other corner either. Additionally, Odubel Herrera‘s performance in center field declined along with his hitting. Or so it seemed.

Replacing Hoskins with Williams puts the latter in his strongest defensive position. But if the Phillies sign Harper, Williams will become the fourth outfielder allowing Kapler to rest regulars more frequently.

Up the middle, Herrera’s return to 2017’s results with the glove and bat will depend on his approach at the plate. And if he doesn’t continue Kapler’s hitting philosophy of pitches per at-bat and launch angle, he might improve after a one-campaign setback. Or Quinn could push him.

Despite being 14th in National League errors and fielding for ’18, the national media guessed incorrectly that the locals should replace Hoskins in left field with McCutchen. No, he was a right fielder almost exclusively last summer, and many consider him to be the best outfield defender on the team.

Considered a durable star, Cutch is not only a major step in the right direction glovewise, but he also will provide the offensive production lost with Santana’s departure. And Klentak has upgraded the defense to boot.

With a second catcher, a super-utility infielder and a fourth outfielder, the Phils currently have Knapp, Kingery and Quinn respectively. And only the 12th slot remains after eight regulars and three bench pieces. Or is it a spot for Harper or Machado?