The Phillies rumor mill continues to be active on day two of the MLB Winter Meetings. With an abundance of infielders, the Phillies are expected to at least listen on Cesar Hernandez and Freddy Galvis. As the hot stove stays hot, the Phillies and Angels seem to be a match on a potential trade.
Today's Hernandez-Angels update comes from Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register:
Today's Cesar Hernandez-#Angels rumor: An official from a 3rd team, who has talked to the Phillies, suggests they'd be more interested in younger SPs or upper level prospects than arb-eligible types. That means Bridwell/Barria/Castillo instead of Heaney/Skaggs/Shoemaker.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) December 12, 2017
In a follow-up Tweet, Fletcher suggests it may take two players:one of pitchers Parker Bridwell, Jesus Castillo and Jamie Barria. along with a second, lesser prospect.
Bridwell was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles and his stock had fallen to the point that he was shipped to the Angels for cash. Like ace pitcher Jake Arrieta, Bridwell did not thrive in the Orioles system. The Los Angeles Times wrote, "For years, the Orioles had harped on the importance of establishing and locating four-seam fastballs. This season, he has halved his four-seam usage in favor of a cutter, slider and sinker." Bridwell went 10-3 with a 3.64 earned run average for the Angels last season.
Castillo came to the Angels in a trade for reliever Joe Smith back in 2016 and has thrived in the Angels system. The Angels MLB Pipeline Top Prospect scounting report says, "Velocity-wise, Castillo's fastball is just average, sitting around 90-91, but it plays up because of its plus life, which leads to strikeouts and groundball outs. He throws his curveball consistently for strikes in the upper 70s and commands his changeup with good arm speed. His overall command has taken a jump forward, allowing all of his stuff to play up."
Barria is the number 8 prospect in the Angels system. A native of Panama, he represented the Angels in the 2017 Futures game. Just 21 years old, Barria pitched at Class-A Advance, Double-A and Triple-A all in the 2017 season. Barria went a combined 7-9 with a 2.80 earned run average, striking out 117 in 142 2/3 innings.
As the Angels added Shohei Ohtani and signed Justin Upton to an extension, they are primed to contend to make the most of Mike Trout's prime years. But with many high-dollar players, a lower-cost, effective player like Hernandez would make perfect sense for the Angels.
