By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly Editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies are looking for ways to improve their ball club via free agency and potentially trades. According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, second baseman Cesar Hernandez was a hot name in talks at the general managers meetings this week in Arizona.
According to multiple sources, Hernandez was a hot name in trade talks at the general managers meetings this week in Scottsdale, Arizona.
It all makes sense considering the Phillies have been connected to veteran Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman/outfielder Howie Kendrick, a strong candidate to be traded this offseason.
If the Phillies were to trade Hernandez in a separate deal — keep an eye on the other Los Angeles team, the Angels — they could look to acquire Kendrick as a stopgap second baseman, buying development time for Scott Kingery or Jesmuel Valentin.
Hernandez had quite a second half with the Phillies, hitting .298 with a .413 on-base percentage. He ended on a high note as well, hitting .321 with a .444 OBP in 29 games during September and October. If the Phillies deal Hernandez and acquire Kendrick in a separate deal, the Dodgers veteran could be a good stop gap for prospects Scott Kingery and Jesmuel Valentin, who could break into the majors over the next couple of seasons. Kendrick can also play the outfield. Freddy Galvis could potentially get some time at second with J.P. Crawford in the wings if the Phils make a deal with Hernandez.
Last week, Ken Rosenthal listed the Phillies as a 'potential landing spot' for Kendrick, who vastly under performed in 2016, hitting .255 with a .326 OBP. His batting average was 40 points lower than 2015 and well below his .289 career average. He started in just three of the 11 Dodgers playoff games this postseason with the Dodgers giving more at-bats to Andrew Toles.
