Philadelphia Phillies: 5 best free agent outfielders to sign
By Tim Boyle
The needs of the Philadelphia Phillies extend far and wide. The club is extremely top-heavy with the reigning MVP and the runner-up in the Cy Young race. They also have some other very good players but also some extreme holes on the roster.
The outfield is one of the worst situations for them. They don’t have quality at two of the three positions. Many players left them in free agency. None are serious candidates to return on anything more than a minor league deal.
Free agency may offer the Phillies their best shot at changing this outlook. All it costs is money. These five outfielders could be a fit for them.
5. Philadelphia Phillies outfield free agent target: Kevin Pillar.
Those who have followed baseball over the last decade or so will be familiar with the name Kevin Pillar. He made highlight reels early on in his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, playing a stellar center field. His abilities have declined in recent years on both sides of the ball. Last year with the New York Mets, he hit just .231/.277/.415 in a part-time role.
So why does he make this list?
Pillar is a flexible fourth-outfielder type. He can play center field, a position the Phillies desperately need to fill and don’t have too many internal options available. I wouldn’t be opposed to a platoon with Pillar and a left-handed hitter like free agent Joc Pederson. It really depends what the team has around them that’ll make the biggest difference of all.
You don’t sign Pillar, put him in center field, and call it a day. You sign him then make an even bigger splash for your left field spot.