Philadelphia Phillies: 10 players to keep eye on during 2018 Winter Meetings

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 24: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws out J.D. Martinez (not pictured) #28 of the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning in Game Two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 24, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 24: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws out J.D. Martinez (not pictured) #28 of the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning in Game Two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 24, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

7. Michael Brantley

After spending the last 10 years with the Cleveland Indians, all signs point to Michael Brantley ending up on a new team for the 2019 season. And whether that team happens to be the Phillies or simply someone else, there’s no question that Brantley would make for a great addition.

From 2016-17, injuries limited Brantley to appearing in just 101 games (only 11 in 2016), but this past season was the perfect example of what kind of impact he can make when healthy enough to be in the lineup.

In 143 games during the 2018 season, Brantley finished with a .309 batting average to go along with 17 home runs and 76 RBIs for the Indians.

This may not seem like the most impressive numbers on paper, but also from Philadelphia’s perspective, it’s Brantley’s ability to make contact with the baseball to help get on base that matters the most when it comes to improving for the 2019 season.

The Phillies could certainly use a reliable outfielder who can hit, and even though there are a few other teams expressing heavy interest in Brantley, this is one player worth keeping an eye on since he could certainly help the team reach a new level from a contending perspective.