Phillies: Plan B revisited post-Winter Meetings

Revised lineup:

Cesar Hernandez played with a broken foot from a foul ball –now fully healed– for almost the entire second half of ’18 after hitting .271 with a .378 OBP plus 15 swiped bags through July 22. So, you can expect the leadoff man to bounce back toward his .294 marks of 2016 and 2017.

In the two hole, Segura, who has averaged .300 or better in each of the last three years, will bat behind Hernandez to form a one-two punch atop the batting order. However,  he could hit third if the Phillies acquire Harper or Machado. Harper would replace Williams, or Machado would take Maikel Franco‘s position.

If Herrera can rebound from his down ’18, he would presently bat third, while Hoskins would hit behind him in the cleanup spot. And McCutchen will provide lineup protection for Hoskins in the five hole: Cutch’s veteran presence will ease the pressure on the offense as well.

From there, Williams and Franco will handle the six and seven slots depending on their recent performances and the opposing starter. But Jorge Alfaro will also contribute pop batting eighth. Therefore, the red pinstripes will have more offensive production in ’19.

After Klentak picked up Segura and McCutchen and subtracted Santana, he now has a stronger negotiating position for Machado or Harper. And the GM has an everyday eight to already improve on 2018’s offense and defense. In other words, he can upgrade with a left-side threat for, perhaps, a less outrageous price.

While Machado prefers to sign with the New York Yankees, they must move rookie star Andujar to have a place for the slugger. Meantime, Harper wants to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, and they just traded two outfielders. So who, apparently, is Klentak’s best shot now? Machado!