By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 
"Whitey" won't be going anywhere.
According to Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Phillies have re-signed utility-man Andres Blanco to a one-year deal:
Source: Phillies sign Andres Blanco. He gets one year, 3 mill
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) December 14, 2016
In 90 games in 2016, Blanco slashed .253/.316/.405 with four home runs in 21 RBIs. The 32-year-old had a career year in 2015, slashing .292/.360.502 and posting a 1.5 WAR.
That the Phillies re-signed someone who has been both an above-average pinch-hitter over the past two seasons and has become a leader in an otherwise young clubhouse isn't necessarily a surprise. Re-signing Blanco did seem pretty unlikely at the end of the season, given that he's a utility infielder, however.
The team already has both Freddy Galvis and Cesar Hernandez up the middle, with top prospect J.P. Crawford, a shortstop, likely to make his major league debut in 2017. The team did non-tender Cody Asche this offseason, but also acquired Howie Kendrick, who is a natural infielder with flexibility all around the diamond, even if the team plans to open the 2017 season with him as their starting leftfielder.
It's possible that the Phillies brought Blanco back with the knowledge that as a switch-hitter he could relieve Tommy Joseph at first base at times this season, while still leaving enough room for Joseph to potentially seize the position on an everyday basis.
It probably also didn't hurt that Crawford has been so complimentary of Blanco.
There's a chance that Blanco is the last move of note that the Phillies will make this offseason, barring an unforeseen trade offer. The team now appears to be set at catcher, have their infield filled out and have room in the outfield for Roman Quinn, Tyler Goeddel and minor league signee Daniel Nava to compete for the final two outfield spots (Kendrick, Odubel Herrera and Aaron Altherr are seeming locks to make the team's Opening Day roster). The team still could attempt to sign another left-handed bat to play in the outfield, however.
Blanco also becomes one of the Phillies most logical trade pieces next trade deadline. The Phillies reportedly thought Blanco could draw trade interest this past July before he broke his left index finger.
