The Philadelphia Phillies outfield depth should be improved. Weston Wilson being out six weeks with an oblique strain highlights this need. Matt Gelb of The Athletic recently reported the Phillies are trying to add right-handed outfield bats. Gelb also noted the Phillies could fill the open bench spot with someone not currently in the organization. A similar thing happened in 2023 where the team added Cristian Pache right before opening day. Roster shuffling will be at the end of spring training as teams finalize their initial 26-man rosters. If the Phillies were to add in that way, that is when it would probably happen. Gelb also mentions that the Phillies are considering adding someone on a minor-league deal to provide depth.
Phillies Outfield Depth Needs Improvement
The Phillies lack right-handed outfielders, with Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler being left-handed batters. Johan Rojas and Nick Castellanos are the lone right-handed hitters who primarily play outfield on the Phillies 40-man roster. Óscar Mercado is the lone non-roster invitee who is not a utility player he is a right-handed hitter and plays outfield. Matt Kroon, a right-handed bat, is also participating as a non-roster invitee. However, like Wilson, Kroon plays both infield and outfield. Marsh and Kepler are not remarkable against left-handed pitching, necessitating flexibility. Rojas is a very good defender but not a great hitter. Furthermore, regardless of that alternative options are needed beyond Rojas. This has led to the team trying to get creative.
Internal Improvements
The Phillies are trying some things to improve defensive versatility within the organization. Edmundo Sosa has been working in the outfield. According to Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Sosa will play outfield games soon. Seidman also mentioned that Buddy Kennedy will do some work in the outfield. Sosa has four major league regular season appearances in the outfield, two in left field, and two in center field. Kennedy has not played outfield in a major league regular season game before. However, Kennedy does have 11 minor league appearances on left field. Gelb wrote the team has not asked non-roster invitee Christian Arroyo to do outfield work yet. Arroyo could be an option and has 17 major league appearances in right field.
External Improvements
Right now, few right-handed outfield bats are available on the free agent market. Randal Grichuk and Kevin Pillar have already signed with other teams. This is part of why signing Kepler was a curious move for the Phillies. Kepler signed before some of these players. That said, the Phillies still passed on multiple opportunities to address this problem earlier in the offseason. Adam Duvall is still a free agent, which could be a realistic option. Duvall has a career .780 OPS and 104 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers. In addition, Duvall has 136 appearances in center field and has played all three outfield positions. Due to their lack of right-handed outfield depth, the Phillies have an extreme lack of center field depth. Signing Duvall would help with that.
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