During last night's Phillies – Nationals game at Citizens Bank Park the situation that Laynce Nix was signed for came up. It was late innings, time for a pinch-hitter, and the pitcher on the mound, Drew Storen, was right-handed. So, Charlie Manuel went to his lineup card and called upon… Kevin Frandsen.
Additionally, the Phillies just have to pull Delmon Young time and time again, because of course he cannot run and he cannot field. Who do the Phillies call upon to pinch-run for Delmon Young and stay in for defense? John Mayberry Jr., every time.
Now at least there's Darin Ruf who could use a pinch-runner, and Ryan Howard before him. Laynce Nix was thrown into the first base mix, despite never playing there before joining the Phillies. He could pinch-run for Ruf and play first base, right? Nope, John McDonald is the runner and Michael Young will play first base.
Poor Laynce Nix. Charlie Manuel simply does not want to use him. Nix got a start at first base during Ryan Howard's scratch on July 6. But of the Phillies last 20 games, Nix has one start and just nine pinch-hitting appearances. But it's not just Manuel's desire; Nix has not exactly been contributing much.
Nix is 0 for his last 7. 1 for his last 15. He sits with a .202 batting average. As a pinch-hitter, he is hitting .239. However, most of those hits came in the early going. 12 of his 20 hits came in April. He had three in May, five in June, and nothing so far as of June 12.
It's time to cut Nix.
The Phillies find themselves in a situation where they sit one game under .500 and in striking distance of a Wild Card now, thanks to poor play by the Atlanta Braves and recent losing streaks of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds. If the team is serious about their chances, every little piece that can give the team something helps.
That means someone who can run, who can play defense, particularly at a few positions, and even come up with a big hit here or there. Phillies have that in their system, or they could acquire such a person. The Phillies could trade for a verstatile utility player or they can simply recall Freddy Galvis. There is no point in wasting a roster spot for Laynce Nix anymore.
