The MLB Winter Meetings are underway and the rumors are that the Phillies are shopping for a right handed bat to help replace Jayson Werth. The general consensus is that they’ll look for someone to play a right field platoon role with youngster Domonic Brown. The name we keep hearing is Jeff Francoeur and in fact the reports are that the Phillies will sit down with his representatives as early as today.
However, Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman says that there are a few other options the Phillies could be looking at. The most surprising name is one that is likely to give Phillies fans nightmare flashbacks, Cody Ross. He lists Ross as a “longshot.”
Among other possible names are Aaron Rowand and Matt Diaz. Last week, Bob Brookover endorsed Diaz as a solid option for an extra outfielder and cheap right handed bat.
Diaz, who’ll be 33 in March, also has an impressive career resumé, albeit mostly as a part-time player. An eight-year veteran, he is a career .301 hitter with 43 home runs and 192 RBIs. He hit above .300 during three of his five seasons with the Braves, and in 735 career at-bats against lefthanded pitching Diaz has a .335 average with 29 home runs and 100 RBIs.