Earlier this offseason, the Phillies seemed to reverse course on at least one issue: whether or not Cody Asche could switch positions. Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. said that Asche would likely stay put at third base. But at the winter meetings when reporters caught up to Phillies Manager Ryne Sandberg, it sounds like the team's plans have changed.
Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Asche's manager at least is looking at Asche at other positions:
Like you, Ryne Sandberg said he is curious to see what the Phillies roster is. One note: Cody Asche will get looks at 1B and LF in spring.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) December 9, 2014
Asche has only played third base and second base in the Phillies organization, and the Phillies considered him unsuitable to play second base.
Translation: the Phillies may be ready to put Asche in a utility role and give the starting job to Maikel Franco. This also means that the futures of Domonic Brown and Ryan Howard with the Phillies are very much in doubt. Could Asche and someone like Darin Ruf platoon in a corner outfield spot or first base? Would the Phillies do platoons at multiple positions, or might Grady Sizemore start every day? There are many more questions than answers.
If Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg is clueless right now, maybe the whole organization is.
