Reports linger that the Phillies are interested in infielder Nomar Garciaparra.
Garciaparra, 35, hit .264 with 8 HR and 25 RBI as a bench infielder for the Dodgers in 2008. Somewhat verstaile, he plays first base, shortstop and third base. And he’s a right-handed bat. For his career, Garciaparra is a .314 hitter whose best days came when Veterans Stadium was standing.
There’s no indication yet of Garciaparra showing mutual interest, or if the infielder wants to play baseball in 2009.
Just looking at the roster composition now, adding Garciaparra would really create a logjam in the infield. After your starters, you’d have Greg Dobbs probably entrenched, with Nomar, Eric Bruntlett and Marcus Giles competing with Jason Donald for one spot. Bruntlett could be the fifth outfielder, and you’d need some sort of insurance for Chase Utley, at least early in the season. Thus, making a play to Nomar would signal something greater — maybe the Phils are looking to move Dobbs for value? (Pedro Feliz doesn’t have trade value.) Of course, it would take some time to shake out, and nothing is set in stone, yet. But it’s intriguing, nonetheless.
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