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.
The window CLOSED last October; time to gut and rebuild this awful team.
— Anthony1957- jurrjens was sent down -- some teams actually reward/punish performance and do not just stick with pre-conceived notions of who is supposed to be on the roster -- a new g.m. would release/send down about 10 of these useless players on Phils roster but Amaro has even less intergity than competence and in incapable of admitting all his gruesome errors— warbiscuit
24 and Kilo; I can see Galvis playing third next year. But this year I can't see him playing third better than Polanco. Now, if Polanco bats under .200, then OK. Also, next year we will have to determine if Utley has a future here. If not, it's probably gonna be easier to find a third baseman who can hit rather than a second baseman. ??— zubzub- Why would you want a lefty playing third?— flyers26
- I thought all along Utley should play first when he comes back. Leave Galvis alone at 2nd where he fields like Trillo. I never thought Howard would be back this year anyway. 3rd base needs to be addressed in the off-season. There must be a bat at that position, and by the way, we need to think about another good catcher.— glennwilson
- First base sounds fine. I don't know why anyone would laugh because Utley has played first before and Galvis is doing just fine at second. It seems like a reasonable solution.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- As bad as Polanco is hitting, his glove is still golden at third base. It would be silly to replace him with Galvis there, who probably doesn't have the arm strength and doesn't hit much better than Polly anyway. What I want to know is if Utley can learn to play left field. The outfield should be easier on his body than second. Fewer quick lateral movements. That way we can extend his career and keep Freddy's defense on the field. It also fills a hole in left where, unless Dom Brown finally lives up to his potential, we have no one.— TheBoyWhoLovedTomGordon
- Howard's contract is killing them!!— yoyoma1
- OMG, the sky is falling again. You guys are the same guys who were crying about the same things last season, when they won 102 games. Keep it up though, someday they will be too old, that's a given. What they should be thinking about is moving Utley to LF where anyone can play (Ibanez, Luzinski, Incaviglia). I would have moved Rollins to 3rd, put Polanco back at 2b, and play Galvis at SS, where he can really make a difference defensively, permanently. Mayberry plays first everyday until Howard comes back, you need stability there, not a revolving door. Then you have Mayberry as an option at 1b and LF, so Utley and Howard stay healthy for the playoffs, and they will be in the playoffs, count on it!— Paul SoTX
- Keep in mind Howard has a foot injury and most likely hasn't been doing much to get his legs in shape for hte season, which means when he does come back we'll have a .225 hitting that strikes out 200+ times a year with no power and a liability at 1st base. I don't know how this happened but Phils went from 102 wins to what looks like the worst team in the NL. Wheels are coming off, just hope this means Manuel gets canned. And what about trading away Halliday and Lee while still both at top value and signine Hamels who still has some years and go get some youth back. Window has closed.— JuanSamuel4prez
- When pitching is THE hardest part to acquire suggesting Trading Lee and Doc for prospects is simply ludicrious. Both are signed to team friendly deals compared to what happened this last off season. and with what Fielder , Pujols, and Votto got Ryan Howard's contract looks reasonable now. It is possible to win with a weaker lineup like Atlanta does every year but no chance of competing without good pitching.
— DUDESKINS - Why would you think of Utley playing first when you have 25 mil. per year invested in another player? Howard's injury does not appear career threatening. Though not the player he was 3-4 year ago he still gives you 100+ RBIs. In this lineup he's needed. The question should be when will he return.— Don w
- Just until Howard comes back. That's my thinking. There's a decision to be made then of course. And, no Howard can't play 3B.
I could warm up to the idea of Galvis going back down for regular work if everyone else is back and hitting. That would be a good problem to have and by then Galvis would have shown enough to figure into the 2013 plans.— s - I like Galvis.
I am not as excited about his overall defense as others seem to be.
He has made a bunch of nice plays.
He has, on ocassion, played balls that were hit to his area rather poorly allowing the ball to get into the outfield, when he should have at least knocked the ball down.
Not sure if this is the team's positioning of him or him not sure how to handle the ball in certain situations.
I fully understand that the Phillies have him playing out of position.
Should Utley come back and reclaim 2B, which I expect, I would like to see Freddie get some playing time at third and see how he does there. Maybe he could grow into the position and it would solve the Phillies problem when Polanco leaves at the end of the year.
No matter what position they play him, I definitely think that they should continue to play him and let him get the Major League experience.
He certainly has been the brightest light on the team so far this year.— candidly - Move Chase to THIRD BASE, not First Base— makrom
