Utley at first base? Don't laugh
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Utley at first base? Don't laugh
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
PHOENIX — There isn't much else to discuss in the aftermath of a 9-5 drubbing at the hands of the Diamondbacks, so look ahead. And this is way ahead, far more ahead than we should be thinking.
Freddy Galvis has played quite well. It's only been 17 games, but the 22-year-old rookie has done more than hold his own. His defensive contributions will compensate for his shortcomings at the plate. (And he does have five extra-base hits, which ties for the team lead.)
The Phillies first baseman quartet of Ty Wigginton/John Mayberry Jr./Laynce Nix/Jim Thome? They haven't been awful; Phillies first basemen ranked eighth in the National League with a .730 OPS entering Monday.
With Chase Utley around the team for three days as only a taste for what the team hopes is a timely return, it's reasonable to wonder what will happen with the infield. This, of course, is presuming Utley returns before Ryan Howard does. It looks that way, but there are no formal timetables for either player and both are undergoing complex rehab processes.
But the question was raised to Charlie Manuel and, if you'll notice, he did not squash it.
Could Chase Utley play first base upon his return?
"We'll figure that out when we get there," Manuel said. "When we have to decide on that, we will."
By the time Utley returns, it could be moot. Maybe one of Wigginton/Mayberry/Nix/Thome has a hot bat. Maybe Galvis' bat has slowed so much that he's a liability. Maybe Utley doesn't feel comfortable at first.
Utley has played 26 career games (22 starts) at first base. He last did it in 2008. Playing first might reduce the wear and tear on his bad knees. But that's not a given.
If anything, it's something to ponder.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Prefer he focuses on getting healthy and not having to learn a new position. Put Galvis at 3rd. Has to be an improvement over Polanco.
— Steve Jeltz
One thing that really sticks out in my mind is the lack of leadership on this team. Just seems like a collection of high priced players thrown together, all waiting to see what happens and who is going to take the leadership role first.
I believe this team misses Utley in that leader role, however it played out. Really thought Rollins would be the guy, but it sure is not showing results in the play of the team. So, Utley at First, Galvis at Second, Rollins at Short, Wigginton at third with Polanco the Super Sub/3rd baseman to spell Ty. This is just a dead team right now and it has nothing to do with advancing age. If this team continues to be dead in the water through to the end of May, changes have to be made. This is where I have trust in RAJ to get the job done.
What is nice here on this comments grouping is to see actual baseball discussion for once, instead of the tiresome sludge from the same tiresome dregs and Lords of the Keyboard.- Chase has played 25-30 major league games at 1B.
As some others have opined, I think Galvis could factor into next year's 3B decision but for him to learn it this year he'd have to go to the minors. Polanco will play out his contract, perhaps ceding some time to his replacement later in the year.
One ray of hope with Polanco. While we've known him to have hot Aprils I looked at his splits year by year and he had years where he had some awful months in either April or May and still ended up hitting around .300 (often more) for the year. Assuming he's not hiding an injury he may just need to find his swing.— s - The Phillies used to sign/call up players that had an upside. Now they have Polanco, Rollins, Howard, Wigginton, Nix, Thome (I excluded Utley because he's injured). All players going the opposite direction.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- The way this team's offense has (or hasn't) performed, ALL options should be on the table! Please get well and get back soon, Chase, Ryan.— doug1834
- Put Sam Young On Third. Just Kidding.— Darryl Cofield
- Here's the plan. Rubin, get a pen:
1) Howard's done for the year. Bring him back when they expand the roster
2) Put Utley at first.
3) Release Thome.
4) Get rid of Nix and Wigginton
5) Bring Brown up. Platoon him with Utley.
6) Start bringing up minor leaguers who look like they know which end of a bat to hold. Try them out for 2 weeks.
The year is done. The plan now is to build a core team that is at least watchable (this team right now is total cr*p) and start cutting deadwood.
Tell Chase he either retires at the end of the year, or you'll trade him to Baltimore for a pair of cleats. Tell Howard he's got a year to learn how to hit left hand pitching or you'll send him to the minors for the rest of his life.— fmMD - Sounds good to me. But then where does Howard go?— Norma
- A few things. Yeah, it really seems as though Galvis can't give the Phillies what Rollins can, which is why they re-signed Jimmy. {That is sarcasm, given that there is no appreciable difference in their offensive numbers. But there is a HUGE difference in the numbers on their paychecks.) Then, your main problem with this team is offense. So Gelb suggests removing the players at one position where you don't completely stink (1B trio) for a player of tremendous decline and now more uncertainly (Utley). If you think Utley can help you offensively, you keep him at 2B, move Galvis or Rollins to 3B, and Rollins/Galvis plays SS. What are you gaining offensively by inserting Utley over guys that are not the main problem on your team?— MrPhillie
- What does it matter when he hits a double he can barely run to 1st? He's not even an AL DH at this point. Buy out his contract and move on.— sonnybuoy01
- Utley can rehab 24 hrs a day and his knees will not heal. Knee replacement today are small operations anymore as people in their 80's have them. I had both knees replaced, but I can catch a baseball, but running and sliding days are over. Unless Howard has learned to hit breaking pitches he will not be a big help either. Why is his incision not healing?? Why is Amaro blowing Smoke???— tulsaphil
- What's a given is that you're a poor writer.— jlkndy
- if Utley can play at all he should play 3B with Palanco at 2B ....... Galvis is a nice utility infielder in the majors - a younger Wilson Valdez - nothing more— FrankMM
- Need all the help you can get! Don't worry come October...You'll be watching the Eagles in the basement as you Philthy fans are home on your couch!— MRD
