Call to the pen
Fansided

Joe Girardi’s weighty seat at the Phillies table

By Tal Venada

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 24: New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi argues after being ejected by home plate umpire Carlos Torres during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on August 24, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Yankees 10-6. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 24: New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi argues after being ejected by home plate umpire Carlos Torres during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on August 24, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Yankees 10-6. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Gregorius could be the additional left-handed bat with power the Phillies need. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images. /

Defense and offense:     

If the Phillies are considering a buy-low candidate, shortstop Gregorius has the potential for a solid return. Granted, he’ll be 30 during the next 162, but a three-summer pact could provide acceptable production through age 32 similar to 2018’s stats. Translation: a slight decline.

Phillies free-agent target:

Gregorius, 29.5:

  • 2019: 82 Gms., 344 PA, a .238 Avg., 16 HR, 61 RBI, a .718 OPS and a 0.9 fWAR.
  • 2018: 134 Gms., 569 PA, a .268 Avg., 27 HR, 86 RBI, an .829 OPS and a 4.7 fWAR.
  • 2017: 136 Gms., 570 PA, a .287 Avg., 25 HR, 87 RBI, a .796 OPS and a 4.1 fWAR.
  • 2016: 153 Gms., 597 PA, a .276 Avg., 20 HR, 76 RBI, a .751 OPS and a 2.7 fWAR.

Previously, Gregorius’ expectations were offers in excess of $100 million for five seasons or $20 million AAV, but they are currently $14 million each for three campaigns. Except now, his injury-plagued walk year has halved his projected earnings. So, this could be a bargain the red pinstripes should evaluate: lengthwise and dollarwise.

Gregorius missed the first two months of 2019 due to the end of his recovery from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow from 2018’s ALDS. Additionally, he had two other stints on the injured list.

This acquisition would lead to Jean Segura and Scott Kingery manning the hot corner and the keystone respectively. Though, some national writers believe the opposite.

Kingery committed four of his nine errors as a third sacker but had no miscues at his natural position: second base. However, he only started six games at the keystone and 37 at the hot corner, where he had two errors each: fielding and throwing. Broadcasters, unfortunately, pointed out his difficulties there.

Experience-wise, Segura had been a second sacker through 2011 and has since played short except for 2016 as the Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman. But while he has never manned third professionally, many shortstops switch to the hot corner later in their careers. Last summer, he had “nine fielding and 11 throwing” errors.

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