How Would a Chase Utley Move to 3B Affect Philadelphia Phillies Going Forward?

It appears that the Philadelphia Phillies may have another option on the table when it comes to third base following this season.

According to an article by David Murphy on philly.com, Chase Utley and Phils’ general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. have recently spoken about the nine-year veteran, who has started 1,075 career major league games at second base, making the move across the diamond and playing third base at some point.

The article says that Utley fielded ground balls at third base today, and contains a quote in which he says playing third base could be a future option for him. Utley also talks about a potential move to third base as possibly giving the team as a whole more options.

“I think if I’m able to play over there it could create some more flexibility as far as the organization is concerned,” Utley said.  “It may not.  It’s just something I wanted to give a try.”

So, what kind of flexibility would a possible move to third base by Utley actually give the Phils?

For one, if Placido Polanco’s option is not exercised following this season, the Phillies will be left with Kevin Frandsen as their only third baseman. Frandsen has played great for the team since being called-up, batting .337 in 28 games. But would the team enter next season with Frandsen as their starter at third base?

Furthermore, Kevin Youkilis and Chase Headley may be the best available third baseman during the offseason, via free agency or a trade, respectively. However, both will likely cost the Phils, either in payroll spending or in the number of prospects asked for in a trade.

If the Phillies decide to move Utley to third base, Frandsen could then fill a reserve role while still seeing a number of starts to help Utley ease into his new position.

Meanwhile, what will the Phillies do with Freddy Galvis?

Galvis was starting regularly prior to his injury/suspension, so would the Phillies have him start the season at Triple-A or place him in a reserve role at the major league level? If Utley were to play third, Galvis could spend more time at second base. The Phillies would then have more power offensively from their third baseman and still receive above-average defense from their second baseman.

Murphy’s article also notes that the position change could help with Utley’s knee problems that have caused him to miss the starts of the past two seasons. Utley has yet to appear in a major league game at the position.

If Utley did move to third and an internal option was used at second base, the Phillies could then focus on improving their outfield and bullpen during the offseason.

Although the Phils still may not target any of the high priced free agent outfielders, having extra money to spend would help if a bidding war was started, or if a player was made available through a trade.

Or, the Phillies could choose to monitor their spending and wait until the player they desire becomes available rather than spending all available cash on this offseason’s free agent market.

Of course, this is all dependent on Utley and the Phillies agreeing to such a position change.

But with limited opportunities to upgrade third base available through free agency and trades, Utley may become the Phils’ best option at third base.

If the Phillies keep their payroll under $189 million next season, they will only have to pay the luxury tax one time before the threshold is raised. However, if the right players aren’t available, having spending money will do them no good.

But narrowing down their to-do list this offseason could help greatly.

The Phillies would have to take a risk if they went into next season with Utley as their third baseman without having seen him play there in a game. If the team is hesitant to spend big on a 34-year-old (as of Opening Day 2013) free agent in Youkilis, or deal more prospects while competing to acquire a third baseman who is made available during the offseason, the risk could be one worth taking.

If it works out, the Phillies would have saved money on their infield, and either used it to upgrade their outfield or kept it for the first available upgrade that appears on the trade market.

If it doesn’t work out, the Phillies could simply move him back to second base and use Frandsen at third while they use any money or prospects they saved to upgrade the position mid-season.

Such a position change could prove unnecessary if the Phillies would rather keep Utley at second base. But when a player such as Utley pitches an idea, the least the team could do is listen.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Philadelphia Phillies: Can Kyle Kendrick Earn a Rotation Spot in 2013?

Kyle Kendrick must have something on the Philadelphia Phillies’ brass because he’s somehow managed to remain in the team’s starting rotation for much longer than he should have.

There are some possible, if implausible, explanations for some of his first starts after the trade deadline.

His spot start following Joe Blanton’s trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers was going to be a one-time thing prior to Tyler Cloyd (12-1 at Triple-A) being called up, right?  Not quite.

Then the Phils must have kept him in the rotation for his 15th start of the season so he could earn a $100,000 bonus in his contract before heading to the bullpen? Well, now he’s made 18 starts.

So, how has a pitcher who had a 6.96 ERA in June and an ERA as high as 4.86 nearly three weeks ago remained in the Phillies’ starting rotation for so long?

Furthermore, is there any way that Kendrick, who now has nearly the same win total as Roy Halladay, can earn a spot in the team’s rotation for 2013?

Kendrick has now given up just two earned runs in his last 21.2 innings. 

Whether or not his last three starts are indicative of things to come remains to be seen, but Kendrick has started to do a better job of using the remaining games as auditions for a spot in next season’s rotation.

And the Phils have yet to rule him out for the job.

Here are four things the Phillies may be considering when it comes to Kendrick’s chances of earning a spot in the team’s rotation for 2013.

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MLB Trade Scenarios: Shock Roster Moves That Could Change Phillies’ Makeup

As the Philadelphia Phillies attempt to continue their climb in the National League East, they are doing so with a number of players who are using the remaining games to lock down a spot on next season’s roster.

But can the Phils really improve the team for next season using a bunch of players who either struggled this season or spent most of the year in Triple-A?

Some may contribute, but the team will still have to use this offseason to address holes throughout the roster in order to bounce back as quickly as possible from this season’s disappointment.

And if the Phillies really want to spice things up, they could dangle some of their current top players or prospects in deals. 

Although these deals would lead to a lot of gasps, they would also provide value to the Phils starting next season and going forward.

Here are five shock roster moves that would certainly change the Phillies’ makeup.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Should Phils Try to Re-Sign Juan Pierre This Offseason?

Remember when Juan Pierre was battling with Scott Podsednik to win the fifth outfielder spot on the Philadelphia Phillies’ 25-man roster in spring training?  Remember when, at times, it seemed like Podsednik had a slight edge?

Well, after batting .308 in 97 games and eclipsing his stolen base total from last season in 54 fewer games, Pierre has arguably been one of the Phillies best offseason acquisitions.

But what happens after this season?

Pierre signed with the Phils prior to the start of spring training with a one-year, $800,000 deal.

As he draws closer to becoming a free agent once again, should the Phillies attempt to re-sign him to fill a similar bench role next season?

According to an article by Todd Zolecki on the Phillies’ website, manager Charlie Manuel thinks that the entire National League could have a place on their roster for Pierre next year.

“Juan Pierre is a very special player for you,” the manager said.  “There are a lot of things you can do with him.  He really plays big up in the National League.  I think he’s a bigger National League player than he is in the American League.  The older he gets, the more his age gets.  He can definitely play longer being a National League player, I think.

“I can see a spot for him next year, yes sir.  I can see a spot for him on about every National League team.”

At 35 years old, Pierre is batting .308 with 93 hits and 29 stolen bases in 97 games, but has batted .188 in 48 at-bats against left-handed pitching. 

Pierre is another left-handed bat in the Phillies’ lineup, and does not have the strongest arm in the outfield.  However, his consistency at the plate combined with his speed on the bases and leadership in the clubhouse make for attributes the Phillies’ roster could welcome next season.

After trading Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence and Joe Blanton, and with Placido Polanco potentially becoming a free agent, the Phils could have multiple new faces on their roster next season as they try to return to their winning ways.

So, should they attempt to re-sign Pierre in order to have another veteran presence in a clubhouse with new faces?

Pierre is a versatile player at the plate and on the base paths, as he can bunt for a hit and steal his way into scoring position.  However, the Phillies have limited options for their batting lineup when he starts.

With Jimmy Rollins essentially locked into the leadoff spot (he’s batted .216 in74 at-bats from the three-spot), Pierre has batted primarily from the two-hole in the Phils’ lineup.  From 2009-’11, Pierre had 1,507 at-bats from the leadoff spot and just 62 at-bats from the two-hole.

Rollins has batted .215 against left-handed pitchers this season, meaning that with Pierre in the lineup, the Phillies would have two very similar players at the top of the order.

Furthermore, where does Pierre fit in the Phillies’ outfield?

If Domonic Brown, Nate Schierholtz, Laynce Nix and John Mayberry, Jr. all return, and at the major league level, that would only leave one available outfield spot.  However, chances are very high that the Phillies will try to acquire at least one, if not two outfielders during the offseason.

If the Phillies add two outfielders, it could be hard to find a roster spot for Pierre.  If just one is added, the team may have to decide between Mayberry, who can also play first base, and Pierre for a final outfield spot.

However, a transaction involving Mayberry, Nix or Schierholtz could easily result in the Phillies having an open roster spot for Pierre, if he chose to re-sign.

Having an experienced player whose strikeout and walk totals are nearly identical, and less than 20, would give the Phillies’ bench another great advantage next season. 

Pierre’s performance this season has made him more than simply a bench player.  Rather than a player who can pinch hit or run late in games or serve as spot-starter to give someone a rest, Pierre has proven he can fill in for extended periods of time should an injury arise, while starting three to four times per week regardless.

A lot could depend on the money he is looking for, as well as the other roster additions the Phillies make.

Pierre has already gone from a player who was signed just prior to the start of spring training, to someone who is already on the Phillies’ radar before the offseason even begins.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

5 Ways Philadelphia Phillies Can Fix Their Bullpen This Offseason

In hindsight it probably wasn’t a smart decision for the Philadelphia Phillies to head into this season with a bullpen featuring primarily young and inexperienced pitchers.

Injuries to Michael Stutes and David Herndon weren’t expected to cause them to miss nearly the entire season, and players such as Antonio Bastardo and Chad Qualls were supposed to provide a seamless late-inning transition to closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Instead, the Phils’ bullpen in the second-half features players such as Michael Schwimer, Jeremy Horst and B.J. Rosenberg.

Not quite what was expected for a team whose top major league ready prospects primarily consist of relief pitchers.

As David Murphy wrote on Philly.com in June, the Phillies spent approximately 11.68 percent of their entire Opening Day payroll on the bullpen for this season. From 2008-2010, the percentage was above 19 percent. Murphy also points out that approximately $17 million of the nearly $20 million paid to the bullpen goes to Papelbon, Jose Contreras and Kyle Kendrick. The team’s plan to use young and inexpensive relievers this season has not worked out the way it might have hoped.

However, because these players are still young and considered to be some of the team’s best prospects, there’s a chance that having a year of experience under their belts will be all they need in order to have improved performances next season.

But with only two relievers who currently have an ERA under 3.50, the Phils must still look at ways to address their bullpen, in addition to the other tasks on their to-do list after this season.

Here are five different ways the Phillies can fix their bullpen this offseason.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Ways to Come Back Even Stronger in 2013

After winning five consecutive National League East titles, it’s hard to imagine the Philadelphia Phillies deciding to completely rebuild after just one down season.

Especially with a payroll in excess of $170 million.

So if the Phillies decide not to start over from scratch, and are even willing to push their payroll past the $178 million luxury-tax threshold, their best option is to use this offseason to come back even stronger in 2013 in hopes of having a season more reminiscent of 2011 than 2012.

But how do the Phils do that?

Do they trade Cliff Lee, or do they keep their three aces at the top of their starting rotation?  Do they spend big on a free-agent third baseman or scan the trade market for their next acquisition?  Just how many new outfield starters do they even need?

These are the types of questions that the Phils must answer this offseason in order to guard against another season like the one they are currently having.

Here are five ways the Phillies can come back stronger in 2013.

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8 Phillies Players Fighting for a Regular Spot in the 2013 Lineup or Rotation

The Philadelphia Phillies have already lost more games this season than they did all of last season, which has led to the team having openings for any player who wants to make sure that a season like this doesn’t become an annual occurrence.

Well, trading away two-thirds of their starting outfield and a member of their starting rotation inside of a week may also have had something to do with these openings being created.

So, who fills them in 2013?

Barring a trade of Cliff Lee, the starting rotation has one opening.  With the right side of the infield locked in, and Jimmy Rollins and Carlos Ruiz (if his option is exercised) penciled in at shortstop and catcher, respectively, just one potential opening at third base remains.

As for the outfield, all three positions, as of now, could be had if players step up their performances between now and the end of the season.

Players such as Ty Wigginton, Kevin Frandsen, Michael Martinez and Laynce Nix can provide depth off the bench and make a spot-start if needed, but are unlikely to be in contention to become regular starters next season.

The Phils can always sign free agents to fill needs in the lineup and rotation, but until then, players currently on the roster and in Triple-A have an opportunity to have their say in the decision.

Here are eight players who are fighting for a regular spot in the 2013 lineup or rotation.

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Why Philadelphia Phillies Fans Should Look Forward to Tommy Joseph

The Philadelphia Phillies went over a year without having a position player above the Single-A level rank as one of their top prospects.

After sending Jonathan Singleton to the Houston Astros as part of the deal for Hunter Pence, the Phils’ farm system became even more dominated by pitching prospects.

So it’s only fitting that Pence was again part of a deal involving a top position-player prospect for the Phillies.

The Phillies’ haul for Pence at this year’s trade deadline did not match the one they sent to the Astros last year.  However, at least one player involved in their deal this year with the San Francisco Giants has a chance to excite fans as he progresses through the team’s system.

Tommy Joseph not only adds depth to the catcher position in the Phillies’ minor league system, but he also becomes the team’s top position-player prospect following his acquisition from the Giants.

Although the Phils’ return for Pence makes their trade package last season look even more generous, Joseph’s acquisition can have an impact at both the minor and major league level.

Here are five reasons why Phillies fans should look forward to Joseph.

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10 Prospects the Phillies Will Be Very Happy Not to Have Traded at the Deadline

Recent non-waiver trade deadline deals by the Philadelphia Phillies have consisted of a big name acquisition coming to the team in exchange for multiple prospects, including some that were considered to be among the best in the Phils minor league system.

Yesterday’s trade deadline deals, however, were certainly a break from what had become typical mid-season trades for the Phillies.

Rather than sending three or four prospects in exchange for an addition to the starting rotation or a missing lineup piece, the Phils were on the other end of big moves.

Acquiring minor league talent may help the Phillies long-term, but what could help the team more is their decision not to trade any of their current prospects in another mid-season trade.

Whether they provide optimism for the team’s chances in future seasons, or whether they become trade chips in offseason deals, the Phils’ prospects can have a large role with the team going forward.

Here are 10 prospects the Phillies will be very happy not to have traded at the deadline.

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Phillies Trade Rumors: Will Phillies Target Jacoby Ellsbury This Offseason?

Following today’s non-waiver trade deadline, the Philadelphia Phillies outfield could have a much different look to it.

And that’s just for the rest of this season.

If the Phillies decide to trade Shane Victorino, who is a free agent-to-be even if he is not traded, and/or Hunter Pence, the team’s outfield could feature three new starters next season.

However, before next season, the Phillies will have an offseason to reload their roster after what is appearing to be a season that does not include a postseason run.

And one player that could be available this offseason just so happens to play the outfield.

According to a tweet by Nick Cafardo, the Boston Red Sox may consider trade offers for center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury this offseason.

Ellsbury, who finished second in last season’s American League MVP voting, is batting .269 while playing in just 23 games this season.  However, he is just one season removed from batting .321 with 32 home runs and 105 RBI.

There are two catches with Ellsbury, however, that could make a trade for the Phils a risky attempt.

First, Ellsbury is set to become a free agent after next season.  Second, he’s represented by agent Scott Boras.

Not a cheap combination.

However, the Phillies could make moves prior to making an offer for Ellsbury that would give them payroll flexibility in addition to other trade assets.

For starters, trading Cliff Lee and Hunter Pence at the deadline would save the Phillies nearly $39 million in salary next season.  That amount doesn’t include the expiring contracts of Shane Victorino and Joe Blanton, as well as potential buyouts of the contracts of Placido Polanco, Ty Wigginton and Jose Contreras.

And that’s just how much money the Phils could take off their payroll by the time the offseason gets into full swing.

Meanwhile, the Phillies could put an approach on hold that they are rumored to be considering this season.

Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi on mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com recently wrote that the Phillies may attempt to use prospects that they acquire in trade deadline deals this season to acquire players such as Chase Headley or Shin-Soo Choo.

But what if the Phillies held on to any prospects they acquire at this season’s trade deadline and use them as trade chips during the offseason?

By trading players such as Lee and Pence, the Phillies would not only lower their payroll, but also acquire multiple prospects that could be enticing to other teams in future deals.

As Buster Olney recently tweeted, the Texas Rangers may have interest in Lee, and third baseman Mike Olt could part of a deal.  If this deal were to go through at the trade deadline or during the offseason, the Phillies would acquire their third baseman of the future, and not have to spend significant money on a free agent at the position.

The Phillies also have players such as Domonic Brown and Tyler Cloyd currently in Triple-A who still have the potential to reach the major leagues.  Between acquisitions and call-ups, the Phillies could have a rotation spot, left field and the bullpen as areas in need of improvement headed into next season following potential trades.

However, by saving money in other areas, the Phillies would have a chance at signing Ellsbury to a long-term contract, especially if Lee’s salary was moved.

The team may also see Roy Halladay hit free agency after next season, which could mean the team’s payroll would decrease even more.

Meanwhile, by the time Ellsbury’s potential extension kicked in, the luxury tax threshold would be set to increase to $189 million, giving the Phils more room before having to pay an additional tax.

Prior to this season, Mark Polishuk on mlbtraderumors.com suggested that Ellsbury could receive a seven-year, $133 million contract extension.  However, this also came after Ellsbury finished second in American League MVP voting.  This season is the second time in three years that Ellsbury has missed significant time due to injury.

Ellsbury could still command a huge long-term contract by the time his free agency rolls around, but the Phillies may only have two contracts worth over $100 million at that point, as well, in Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels.  The team would also be just a few seasons away from signing a new television contract that could also increase their funding.

The Cincinnati Reds already checked on Ellsbury’s availability this season, according to a tweet by Gordon Edes.  By the offseason, more teams could be calling the Red Sox about Ellsbury.

Depending on the Phillies moves at the trade deadline and in the offseason, as well as their plan going forward, targeting Ellsbury could become an option.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

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