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| Photo by Richard Wilkins Jr. |
Cesar Hernandez may have to make the Phillies out of Spring Training. He's technically out of option years, and while he may be (may have been for what I know for sure) granted a fourth year, it's kind of immaterial to the question the Phillies will soon have to answer- what is Hernandez?
He is certainly not the second baseman, at least right now. Chase Utley will be there for at least two more seasons. He could be the center fielder. He could be the utility guy. Those are really the only options available. The problem with keeping him as a utility man is that with the exception of center field, he and Freddy Galvis do the same stuff. What to do?
Right now I pencil in Hernandez, Galvis, Kratz, and Ruf as being on the five man bench. It's no secret though that the Phillies are looking at upgrading the outfield, and possibly major trades, and both such moves could effect Hernandez's future. If the Phillies choose to upgrade on center field, then either Hernandez or Ben Revere could be available to trade, since keeping both on the bench is pointless. If the Phillies look to trade for a David Price or Giancarlo Stanton, I could easily see one of them being in that trade as well (Hernandez could fit at second in Tampa).
My personal preference is to keep Hernandez and trade Revere. For one, Cesar can switch-hit, so he's not just another lefty bat in the order. Secondly, while Revere has become very good at maximizing his tools, he's a limited player- he'll never have power, or an adequate arm. Cesar's ceiling is a bit higher, even if his floor is lower too. Revere could help land a back of the rotation starter, or perhaps aid in a Stanton deal. I just feel like Hernandez offers more, if it comes to that. I'd be perfectly fine seeing them both back in 2014.
