The Phillies are looking for a couple things as they finish their offseason shopping list. Potentially the Phillies could add a left-handed reliever, but a left-handed bat is the one obvious need to balance the Phillies roster. While I have written about Brandon Moss for months as a left-handed outfield and first base option and the Phillies' interest in Moss has been reported recently, there is no guarantee that the Phillies will win the race for signing Moss, who may have options with a contending team. If the Phillies cannot sign moss, former Miami Marlin Logan Morrison might be worth a shot.
The number of left-handed options on the free agent market are somewhat limited. Specifically, the Phillies are looking for someone who has some power, can play a corner outfield position, and can also get some left-handed at bats at first base when Tommy Joseph takes a day off against a tougher right-handed pitcher. Now a free agent coming off back-to-back down seasons, Morrison might even be able to be had on a minor league contract.
Phillies fans seemed to take to Morrison on Twitter in his first two seasons as a member of the Florida Marlins. A rookie who came up in 2010, Morrison batted .283 with a .837 OPS in 287 plate appearances. Morrison's best season came in 2011, when he hit 23 home runs and drove in 82 runs in 525 plate appearances, en route to a .797 OPS. But since then Morrison has struggled. Battling injury with the 2012 and 2013 Marlins, Morrison was traded to the Seattle Mariners, where Morrison spent two seasons before a trade to the Tampa Bay Rays.
With the Rays last season, Morrison hit 14 home runs while batting just .238. The Rays mostly used Morrison as a first base and designated hitter option before he had season-ending wrist surgery. Morrison has not played the outfield since 2015, but has spent much of his career there. Incidentally, former Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard could be an option for the Rays to replace Morrison.
Jeff Todd of MLB Trade Rumors considers Morrison a "bounceback candidate" and points to Morrison's stronger second-half of the 2016 season:
The 29-year-old has never been a consistent producer, and seemed headed for an early end to his time with the Rays after an abysmal start to the 2016 season. But he rebounded beyond any expectations over his final 303 plate appearances, slashing .275/.350/.498 and driving 14 home runs in that half-season of work. While hitting to the pull side more than ever before in 2016 (an even 50%), Morrison made hard contact at a personal best rate of 34.2% and left the yard on 15.2% of his fly balls, the second-best mark of his career.
With the Phillies, Morrison could have the opportunity to demonstrate he is more of the latter in his age 30 season, giving him the ability to prove his worth for free agency a year later.
The Phillies could have their left-handed starting outfielder sooner than later, should Nick Williams develop at Triple-A and warrant a promotion. Until then, Morrison could help fill the void. The club may prefer Moss, but if they are unable to sign Moss, Morrison might be in a position to help the Phillies.
Affectionately known as "LoMo", Morrison was a Phillies Twitter favorite in 2011, and even wore a specially-designed Phillies shirt to a Flyers game.
