The Phillies are expected to be active this offseason. Despite having a full infield at the moment, the Phillies might be looking for an infielder, and this one has strong ties to the Phillies coaching staff. According to a report, the Phillies are interested in shortstop Didi Gregorius:
Jon Morosi of MLB.com tweets that the Phillies might make a move that includes the trade or move of incumbent shortstop Jean Segura:
Sources: #Phillies pursuing Didi Gregorius in free agency, as I reported on @MLBNetwork today, with the idea that Jean Segura would move to a different position or be traded. Joe Girardi managed Didi in New York, of course. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 22, 2019
The Phillies do have plenty of options surrounding their current infield.
Scott Kingery can play at pretty much any infield position. Segura can play shortstop or second base. Cesar Hernandez could stay at second base, or, the Phillies could decline to tender him a contract. It looks like the Phillies probably will move on from Maikel Franco regardless of other moves. Both Hernandez and Franco are due arbitration, but the Phillies can decline to offer them a contract or trade them by December 2.
Gregorius famously replaced Derek Jeter as the Yankees shortstop upon Jeter’s retirement five years ago. Gregorius played under Phillies manager Joe Girardi and coach Rob Thomson while with the Yankees.
Gregorius hits free agency coming off of a season limited by “Tommy John” surgery. Gregorius hit just .238 last season. However, a recent piece in the New York Post includes a comment from a scout who believes that Gregorius appears to be heading back to his pre-injury ability. Gregorius is a lifetime .264 hitter.
