Philadelphia Phillies: Why Michael Cuddyer’s Versatility Would Benefit Phils

Before you all go out and get your Cuddyer jerseys, hold up, because he hasn’t been signed…yet.

Rumors swirling around the web involving the possibility of the Phils signing Cuddyer began last night after the Jim Thome signing was announced. According to Phillies insider Jim Salisbury, not only is this a possibility, but Ruben and the team are “seriously pursuing him.”

For the Phillies, signing Cuddyer not only makes sense but it also makes the team that much better. While Cuddyer isn’t the flashiest or youngest player out there, he brings solid defensive abilities and a pretty good right-handed bat to the lineup. Not to mention he can play 1B, 3B, LF and RF, which is something the Phillies could desperately use.

Cuddyer offers options and versatility for a Phillies team that currently has more questions than answers. The big one is going to be who starts the season at first base.

At First Base

While optimists alike hope that Ryan Howard will be ready go, it is very, very, let me stress VERY unlikely that he is healthy and in baseball shape come April. For this reason, the Phillies are going to be looking for a first baseman to play at least the first month of the season.

The options? Right now it is John Mayberry Jr. and Thome, both of whom have played first for the Phillies before and both of whom are in different situations regarding the position.

For Mayberry, the Phillies left-fielder, having to step in at first base isn’t foreign to him. He spent some time there last season when Howard was given rest. Although Mayberry played solid first base and didn’t appear to be a liability, he is also needed in left field. It seems certain Mayberry will make the team at one of these spots, but his inexperience of spending a full year or even multiple months consistently at first might have the Phillies exploring other options.

Then there is Thome, one of those other options. Thome was not necessarily signed to step in for Howard, and he may not get the chance. The 41-year-old has only played minimally in the field in the past six seasons, and his defensive ability is yet to be seen. Although he will probably get a shot in spring training, his primary role may end up being as a bat off the bench as opposed to an everyday player.

This is where Cuddyer comes in. His averages of 22 HR and 80-plus RBI the past three seasons aren’t exactly Howardesque numbers, but they will take some of the pressure off of Hunter Pence and Chase Utley to try to make up for Howard’s missing presence.

Cuddyer is also familiar at the first base position and poses less of a liability than Thome and even the inexperienced Mayberry. He is the best option for the Phils at this position.

At Third Base

One of Cuddyer’s other positions is at third. The Phillies don’t necessarily need a third baseman as Placido Polanco is expected to be ready to go at the beginning of the season, but again Cuddyer would give them options. Last season, Polanco suffered from back problems and saw his productivity dip dramatically. Not only would Cuddyer be able to play third if this happens to Polanco, but he could also step in to give Polanco rest, which might benefit the production of the aging third baseman.

At Right Field

With Pence in right field, Cuddyer would not be needed to play this position, but having the option is always good.

At Left Field

If Mayberry is playing at first, Cuddyer would take his spot in left field. Although it makes more sense to leave Mayberry at left and put Cuddyer at first, this is another one of those options the versatility of Cuddyer offers.

Wherever Cuddyer would end up playing would help the depleted Phillies offense. He is a right-handed bat to aid a left-handed heavy lineup, and if Raul Ibanez is not re-signed, Cuddyer would greatly help Utley and Pence in carrying the offensive load for the team. This is a move that makes sense for the Phillies, and one that makes sense for Cuddyer.

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