Following Aaron Altherr's season-ending wrist injury, ESPN's Jayson Stark reported yesterday that the Philadelphia Phillies were 'definitely looking' for a starting outfielder. While I suggested today that the Phillies and New York Mets could make sense as trade partners on a deal that would net the Phillies Alejandro De Aza, one report says they considered signing another veteran outfielder recently.
According to Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, the Phillies considered signing outfielder Austin Jackson this past off-season.
Heard the Phillies kicked around the idea of signing outfielder Austin Jackson earlier this spring but were committed to giving the players they had a chance to show what they could do. Aaron Altherr was one of those players.
Jackson, 29, instead agreed to a one-year/$5 million deal with the Chicago White Sox on March 6th. Altherr left Spring Training on that same day, but wasn't declared out for four to six months until March 8th. It's fair to wonder if Altherr had gotten injured a week earlier, if the Phillies would have signed Jackson.
Instead, the Phillies are left with the possibility of David Lough potentially making their roster, and Tyler Goeddel, who has been impressive this spring but never played a game at the major league level, starting. If they are able to trade for an outfielder, not only will it take moving a lower-level prospect, but they are less likely to acquire one that they could potentially flip this summer, a mold that Jackson likely would have fit.
Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) is the Managing Editor of Philliedelphia.com, focusing on news and features.
