Will Cesar Hernandez be a Phillie in 2018? (Brandon Apter/SportsTalkPhilly)
By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Los Angeles Angels left the MLB Winter Meetings with a new second baseman – one that isn't Cesar Hernandez. The only other team that has been substantively connected to Hernandez this offseason are the division-rival New York Mets, but it doesn't sound as though they left Orlando with the feeling they were close to a deal to acquire the Philadelphia Phillies second baseman.
According to Mike Puma of The New York Post, the Phillies and Mets have had dialogue about Hernandez, but talks don't seem to have much traction:
The Mets spoke to the Pirates and Phillies about Harrison and Hernandez, respectively, but club officials indicated there was little momentum at this point toward a trade for either player.
Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported Wednesday evening that the Angels viewed the price on Hernandez as being too high, which ultimately led to them acquiring Ian Kinsler from the Detroit Tigers. The Kinsler trade and subsequent report came just two days after Salisbury reported that the Angels "coveted" Hernandez, who they viewed as a potential leadoff hitter in their improved lineup. It's entirely possible that the Mets also view the price on Hernandez as being higher than they are comfortable with.
General manager Matt Klentak and the Phillies do truly seem to believe that they don't have to trade the 27-year-old. While top prospect Scott Kingery is looming in Triple-A and likely to take over the spot next summer, Hernandez has been a very productive player. He's led the team in walks for three consecutive seasons, has batted .294 over the past two years and FanGraphs says only Dustin Pedroia has been a better fielding second baseman since 2016. What's more, Hernandez can't become a free-agent until after the 2020 season, increasing his value.
As the offseason progresses, the Phillies may find a suitor for Hernandez that they are able to complete a deal with. But there does seem to be a very real possibility that they ask first-year manager Gabe Kapler to navigate an infield that's got more starting-caliber players than positions to play them at.
