The final piece to the Phillies’ offseason puzzle could be a new bench bat.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Dave Dombrowski mentioned that the Phillies could find “a different type player” for the bench at this stage of the offseason. Their internal options include Adam Haseley, Roman Quinn, Andrew Knapp, C.J. Chatham, Mickey Moniak and Nick Maton.
They lack a power bat that could hit in high leverage situations. So it makes sense that the Phillies, according to Jon Heyman of RADIO.COM, have been in touch with former Phillie Brad Miller.
Miller, 31, was originally acquired by the Phillies from the New York Yankees for cash considerations in June of 2019. He slashed .263/.331./.610 with 12 home runs and 21 RBIs in 118 at-bats with the Phillies. His power numbers received a boost in the final weeks of the season as he recorded three multi-home run games from Sept. 21 through the 29th.
He went 7-for-31 as a pinch hitter in 2019 and when he was on the field, he spent the majority of the time in either left field or at third base. Miller was primarily used as a designated hitter last season when he was with the St. Louis Cardinals. He slashed .232/.357/.451 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs in 142 at-bats during the regular season in 2020.
Heyman also mentions that the Phillies have shown interest in Shin-Soo Choo. The long-time Texas Rangers outfielder and DH had a down year in 2020 but can get on base at a high rate and hit the ball out of the ballpark. Like Miller, Choo perfectly fits the mold of the left-handed power bat on the bench that could play some innings in a corner outfield spot. If Andrew McCutchen is unable to take on a full workload in left field two years removed from ACL surgery, one of either Miller or Choo could be critical to the team’s success.
Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported on Tuesday that the Phillies have interest in former Astros utility man Marwin González.
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