By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Philadelphia Phillies are in search of acquiring a right fielder, according to ESPN.com baseball columnist Jayson Stark.
"With Aaron Altherr out for most of the year, they need somebody who can actually play quite a bit," said Stark on the March 15 edition of the "Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney" podcast. "Maybe they'll wind up with somebody like [Jeff Francoeur]. They're definitely looking."
When asked by Olney if he could identify names being linked to the Phillies, Stark said it was "a little too soon to say."
"One thing I've heard is that rather than give up talent," said Stark, "they would be happy to take somebody's salary dump, for instance. I'm still trying to process exactly who that would be. That tells me they are looking for somebody a little better than just somebody who might get released or outrighted at the end of spring training."
One player that could have suited the Phillies' current needs is Jeff Francoeur, who according to Stark thought during the offseason he would be returning for his second season in red pinstripes.
"I just saw him the other day," said Stark. "[He was] very disappointed about that. They had a real internal debate about that. I have no doubt that if last year's regime were still in charge, he would be there. They brought in a new regime. Matt Klentak, who is the new general manager, was not around the team last year. … These guys are very data-oriented. Even though Jeff Francoeur had a real good year in terms of his role last year, the data [and] metrics don't support having that guy on your team. They just didn't see it. I know the coaching staff really lobbied to have him back, [but] it just didn't happen."
Peter Bourjos and Rule 5 selection Tyler Goeddel are currently the only right fielders listed on the Phillies' depth chart. Entering his seventh season, Bourjos, 28, has never defended right field in his career. In 222 2/3 innings in right field last season with the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits, Goeddel, 23, committed just one error in 43 chances. Non-roster invitee outfielders David Lough and Cedric Hunter have shown positive signs this spring as well.
Stark said on Twitter that the Phillies are not looking for a player "with a lot of years left on his deal," and more of a "one-year guy to maybe spin in July." He added that free agent outfielder Marlon Byrd, who has had two stints already with the Phillies, is "not a fit for where they are right now."
Francoeur, 32, signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Atlanta Braves on Feb. 22. This spring, the veteran outfielder is batting .302/.360/.478 with four runs scored, one double, one walk, one home run and two runs-batted-in over nine games and 23 at-bats.
