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Philadelphia Phillies: Five non-tendered free agents they could add

By George Stockburger

Aug 5, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) bats against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 5, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) bats against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 27, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder Eddie Rosario (20) hits a sacrifice fly during the sixth inning to score center fielder Max Kepler (not pictured) for the go ahead run against the Cincinnati Reds at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder Eddie Rosario (20) hits a sacrifice fly during the sixth inning to score center fielder Max Kepler (not pictured) for the go ahead run against the Cincinnati Reds at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Eddie Rosario could be the Philadelphia Phillies’ next left fielder

If the Phillies can move Andrew McCutchen this offseason, Eddie Rosario would be a welcomed addition in the middle of Philadelphia’s lineup.

Rosario did a little of everything in six seasons with the Twins, between leading the league with 15 triples as a rookie to hitting 32 home runs in 2019. He’s received MVP votes in each of the last two seasons, finishing 18th and 17th respectively.

While he primarily settled into left field for Minnesota, Rosario has played every outfield position and been a DH. He’s not going to compete for a batting title, but the Phillies would take a guy who puts up a career .277 batting average at this point with a strikeout rate that he’s brought down in his last two seasons.

One of the reasons the Twins dropped Rosario, aside from the $10 million price tag, was his defense. Defensive stats are always hard to not only judge, but also rely on given the obstacles that come into play as a fielder.

In 2019 he had a -8 Defensive Runs Saved Above Average (Rdrs), though it did improve to 3 last year. He does has a strong arm and cut down on the errors, so maybe he’s figured something out.

Replacing an aging, expensive McCutchen with the 29-year-old Rosario would be a breath of fresh air for Philadelphia. McCutchen is a fan favorite and as he goes, so does the team. But at $20 million with a $3 million buyout to avoid another $15 million season in 2022, McCutchen is overpriced for what he can give in a 162 game season.

Moving even a fraction of McCutchen’s salary and using the savings to bring on Rosario makes sense for the Phillies or any other team looking for a guy with a chip on his shoulder coming out of Minnesota.

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