Do you think the Phillies will trade Freddy Galvis or Cesar Hernandez before Spring Training?
-- Greg P., Hoboken, N.J.
The Phillies will try, although they believe they can open next season with both players. The Athletic reported recently that the Padres have expressed interest in Galvis and the Angels have expressed interest in Hernandez. But sources told MLB.com that interest in either player has not given the Phillies much pause.
In other words, at this point, Philadelphia feels like it would be giving away Galvis or Hernandez. And there is no reason to do that.
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Perhaps trade talks heat up next week at the Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. But in the event the Phillies hold onto both players, it gives them four infielders (Galvis, Hernandez, Maikel Franco and J.P. Crawford) to play three positions. Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said last weekend that he believes he can make it work. But it could be a challenge considering Galvis is a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop that is set to become a free agent following next season. He is going to want to play.
So it makes sense for the Phillies to keep trying, which they will. It could become a bigger issue if Triple-A second baseman Scott Kingery pushes for a promotion weeks into the 2018 season. Four players vying to play three positions is tough. Five players vying to play three positions is even tougher.
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Wouldn't it be smarter for the Phillies to use the 2018 season to evaluate their young players (get them plate appearances and innings) and save their financial might for next season's historic free-agent class?
-- Sam H., Cherry Hill, N.J.
That has been the plan for some time, unless something unexpected happens (i.e. the Phillies have a chance to acquire Manny Machado in a trade).
It's funny, some Phillies fans have been angry that the team hasn't not thrown big money at free agents last offseason and this offseason. Last offseason, fans got fired up that the Phillies did not sign Ian Desmond, who signed a five-year, $70 million deal with the Rockies. (Desmond posted a .701 OPS in 373 plate appearances.) This year, they want them to sign a starter like Jacob Arrieta or Yu Darvish to a long-term contract, despite recent memories of injuries cutting short the careers of Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, and the fact that the Phillies are not ready to win right now.
(Folks, stud starting pitchers can be found when a team truly needs them. No sense to panic and overpay today.)
The Phillies are not going to take a magical leap in the standings if they sign Darvish or Arrieta or Eric Hosmer. So why commit all that money when you will be able to spend the money next offseason and have a much better idea of how to spend it?