PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies offered no surprises Friday, tendering contracts to each of their five players eligible for salary arbitration.
The group includes shortstop Freddy Galvis, second baseman Cesar Hernandez, third baseman Maikel Franco, catcher Cameron Rupp and right-hander Luis Garcia.
Galvis, Hernandez and Franco could join J.P. Crawford and Rhys Hoskins in next season's infield. There is some thought Galvis or Hernandez (or both) could be traded to help the Phillies acquire pitching help, but the organization could just move forward and rotate Galvis, Hernandez, Franco and Crawford at second base, third base and shortstop. They did just that the final month of the 2017 season.
Rupp, Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro each are on the 40-man roster. Alfaro is a lock to be on the 25-man roster next season because he cannot be optioned. It remains to be seen what happens with Rupp and Knapp.
Garcia had a breakout season in 2017, posting a 2.65 ERA in 66 appearances.