Freddy Galvis and Cesar Hernandez's futures with the Phillies are unclear. (Frank Klose/SportsTalkPhilly)
By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 
While addressing needs in their starting rotation will certainly be a point of emphasis at next week's MLB Winter Meetings, general manager Matt Klentak and the Philadelphia Phillies may also be busy determining the futures of middle infielders Freddy Galvis and Cesar Hernandez.
According to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia, the Phillies have already received trade offers for both Galvis and Hernandez, though none that seem to be serious:
Galvis and Hernandez are both very much available for trade and the Phillies have received offers, according to sources. However, none of the offers have been to the Phillies' liking.
That the Phillies are willing to listen on Galvis shouldn't come as much of a surprise. While he's played at a Gold Glove caliber at shortstop the past two seasons, he still doesn't get on base at a clip that the Phillies progressive front-office would like. By comparison, J.P. Crawford walked 16 times in his first 70 major league at-bats. Crawford may have holes offensively, but getting on base won't be one. If you project Crawford's walk rate out to a 500 at-bat season, he would be on-pace to walk over 115 times. Galvis walked 45 times in 608 at-bats in 2017.
While Galvis is one of the league's top fielding shortstops, his offensive limitations probably mean that he would be best suited to be a super-utility man on a contending team. While Galvis has displayed an ability to also play second and third base, he can become a free-agent after the 2018 season and there is a lack of depth at the shortstop position in the major leagues. In a perfect world, Galvis, who has become a leader in the clubhouse, would be a valuable bench piece for the next great Phillies team. Whether that is what transpires remains to be seen.
As for Hernandez, this is far from the first time that we've heard him mentioned in trade rumors. Salisbury reported last offseason that the Phillies listened to offers on Hernandez, but had a 'very steep' price on him. The Los Angeles Angels have been the team most consistently connected with Hernandez, with Pedro Moura of The Los Angeles Times reporting last month that the team had 'extensively examined' Hernandez during the 2017 season.
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While Galvis has value for the Phillies, there are holes in his game that it's easy to imagine a progressive regime isn't thrilled with. Hernandez is another case, however.
Following a breakout 2016 season, the 27-year-old slashed .294/.373/.421 with 150 hits in 511 at-bats, while leading the team in walks for the third consecutive season. Advance metrics also speak highly of him as a fielder. What's more, while he's had issues baserunning in the past, he possesses elite speed. Hernandez stole 15 bases in 2017, but he has the type of speed that if used correctly, could lead to 40 plus stolen bases. That remaining upside makes the idea of a new coaching staff getting to work with him intriguing.
The only reason that trading Hernandez is being seriously considered is that top prospect Scott Kingery is knocking on the door of the majors. However, it's possible that Kingery opens the 2018 season at Triple-A, as the Phillies attempt to manipulate his service time. It's more likely than not that Kingery will spend the bulk of the 2018 season at the major league level, but him opening the season at Triple-A would allow Hernandez to remain at second base to open the year. Once Kingery is called up, the Phillies could use Hernandez elsewhere in the infield, and potentially give him an occasional look in the outfield.
Of course, should the Phillies receive an offer for either that allows them to improve their team moving forward, they should seriously consider it. If they don't, however, Salisbury says the Phillies aren't scared by the idea of having a surplus of talented infielders.
