The Phillies are a team in desperate need of young talent on their roster. As luck would have it, the Phillies are two deep at one position. Cody Asche and Maikel Franco are both third baseman, and last the rules were defined, there is only one third baseman at a time on the field. Though the Phillies have previously considered moving Asche to the outfield, the Phillies are now saying that for the time being they hope to keep him at third base.
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports that the Phillies appear to be dismissing the notion that Asche could spend some time at Spring Training playing some outfield:
The Phillies have discussed trying Asche in the outfield, possibly giving him a look there in Spring Training. But following last week's organizational meetings, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said that is not in the current plans.
"We've talked about it, but at this stage, he's a third baseman," Amaro said.
The Phillies will consider giving Maikel Franco some time at first base, but for now – and this could be pending what the Phillies do with Ryan Howard – Amaro says that Franco is a third baseman.
Franco played five games at first base last season, but the Phillies have no plans to make him a regular first baseman.
"Maikel Franco is a third baseman who plays some first base," Amaro said.
Franco was rated the top defensive third baseman in the International League last season, so there is motivation to keep him at third base.
As Amaro admitted and Zolecki notes, moving an outfielder could change things. If the Phillies sign Yasmany Tomas they would have to move two outfielders for all to have a place to play. Amaro did offer Zolecki this: "We're keeping our options open, and trying to keep as much depth as we can with the young players". So, Asche to the outfield remains a possibility, but a lot will depend on what the Phillies can do.
In other words, the Phillies will attempt to accumulate young talent, and figure out the rest later.
