What Could the Phillies Get for Jeff Francoeur?

Outfielder Jeff Francoeur could be a small piece in what could be an active trade deadline for the Phillies at the end of the month. Pitchers Cole Hamels, Jonathon Papelbon and outfielder Ben Revere could all be dealt, especially the latter two. Francoeur has had an above average campaign in his only year with the … Read more

Jesse Biddle Returns to Reading’s Rotation

The announcement of Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Jesse Biddle skipping his previous start before he returned to Reading’s rotation against New Hampshire Tuesday night surely worried a good amount of Phillies’ fans. A majority of the fan base has seemed to give up on Biddle over the last calendar year but they shouldn’t. Jesse Biddle's … Read more

Ben Lively and Phillies Prospect Rotation Depth

Phillies’ top ten prospects Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin and Jesse Biddle are the top starting pitchers with the Reading Fightin Phils. While Reading boasts five potential major league starters, the Fightin Phils final two starters, Ben Lively and Tom Windle, are bigger question marks and lack the upside like Reading’s front three. Lively, 22, was … Read more

Aaron Altherr: Phillies Promotion Candidate

The Phillies are in a state of flux regarding their outfielders and there will be likely be numerous roster moves made in late May or early June. Dominic Brown could return to the outfield with the Phillies, along with Cody Asche sliding into left field and Ben Revere starting in center. The moves will also … Read more

The Phillies Search for the 2015 Shorstop

The trade of Jimmy Rollins signaled the continued of a Phillies rebuild which many yet had not accepted the team was doing. Philadelphia has been rebuilding longer than just this offseason, their farm has continued to develop and will continue to as they add younger players and their draft position climbs up the board in … Read more

Jimmy Rollins and the Dodgers Trade Prospects

Starting pitcher Cole Hamels is the Phillies top option on the trade market as the Winter Meetings get underway in San Diego.  Chase Utley likely isn’t getting moved either due to his desire to stay in Philadelphia. Jonathon Papelbon could also begin the 2015 season pitching at Citizens Bank Park and GM Ruben Amaro will … Read more

Roman Quinn’s Comeback From Surgery

The Clearwater Threshers (45-86) are the worst minor league team record wise in the Phillies system and one of the worst in baseball. Their biggest prospect on the roster is slick fielding shortstop J.P. Crawford who the Phillies selected in the first round  of the 2013 MLB draft. Another name that should be on Phillies’ … Read more

Freddy Galvis, Cesar Hernandez and Building the 2015 Bench

There are few things to say positively about the 2014 Philadelphia Phillies season. We’re nearing the final stretch to the season and September promotions should bring about an ounce of excitement for the faithful fans that still decide to watch this team. One area of the ball club that has been abysmal this season along with the previous years has been the bench.

The collective group of John Mayberry, Tony Gwynn, Cesar Hernandez, Wil Nieves and Reid Brignac is a group of mostly below replacement level players that don’t provide value offensively or even defensively. Nieves is the lone exception and works well with the pitching staff.

Offensively, the Phillies rank 24th in major league baseball, with a .245 on base percentage this season when pinch-hitting. They have a collective .542 OPS, 19th in the league. Their bench options lack positional flexibility and they struggle to get on base. Regardless of how the manager plays the matchups beyond John Mayberry against left handed pitchers, there are no strong options that will yield a positive outcome.

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