By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 
In 2015, Philadelphia Phillies Rule 5 Draft selection Odubel Herrera posted an 11.7 dWAR and was fifth in the league in UZR. Given that it was Herrera's first season in center field — he had previously played second base — he seemed to have a long future at the position.
In 2016, however, Herrera has regressed. While his offensive production has dropped off in the second half of the season, his defensive metrics have been poor for a majority of the season. Reading too much into defensive metrics early in the season may be a mistake, but with just over a month left in the 2016 season, Herrera is barley above replacement level in terms of dWAR (0.1). He has only dropped to 11th in terms of UZR, but a defensive drop-off in 2016 may lead to him being pushed to another outfield position at some point.
Manager Pete Mackanin told a group of reporters, including Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer, that Herrera won't be moved to a corner outfield position during 2016, though:
"If we decide we're going to do that," Mackanin said, "we'll encourage him to play a corner in winter ball and then in spring training, if that's what we decide to do. I thought about doing that. But I don't know if we want to do that now. Just let him get back on track offensively."
Mackanin would go on to acknowledge that while Herrera hasn't been as impressive in center as he was a year ago, the month of Sept. won't be written off. Herrera will get a chance to play in center for another month plus, which certainly could impact where he plays in the future.
While most teams would probably be patient enough to allow Herrera to play center in 2017, the Phillies have enough organizational outfielding talent that being patient with him may not make sense. While prospect Roman Quinn's health may hold him back from ever being the team's every day center fielder, the Phillies will likely start Herrera and Aaron Altherr in the outfield in 2017 in one way or another. Trying Herrera in left or right (it would probably be right due to Nick Williams being a left fielder), while playing Altherr in center probably wouldn't be the worst idea. And if doesn't work, the Phillies could always move Herrera back to center.
It's also important to remember that simply because someone plays one position on Opening Day doesn't mean that they are tied to playing that position all year. 2017 will still very much be a rebuilding year for the Phillies, so if things didn't work with Herrera in a corner position and Altherr in center, the option of switching them back during next season would still exist.
For those wondering, the Phillies have never given any indication that Herrera playing second base is something that they would be interested in. Moving him for pitching depth seems more likely than moving him back to the infield.
