debriefing the media postgame<\/a>, saying everyone is “hoping for the best.”<\/p>\n\u201cThey kind of know when they\u2019ve done something,” Mattingly said. “We\u2019ll probably get some imaging [Thursday] and find out the true severity of it. Hope for the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matting added that “someone is going to have to pick it up,” referring to the other Phillies outfielders not named Brandon Marsh, i.e., Justin Crawford and Steward Berroa. This also refers to infielders\/outfielders Otto Kemp and Felix Reyes down on the farm, who will be the obvious choices to get called up if Garcia winds up on the injured list.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Phillies options internally to replace Adolis Garcia are weak<\/h2>\n
To use a fishing metaphor, the Phillies are continuing to fish in a pond that is not producing any prize fish. Kemp and Reyes have both appeared in the big leagues this season and did not do well — Kemp batted .080 with 10 strikeouts in 13 games, while Reyes batted .158 with nine strikeouts in 12 games.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since both have returned to Lehigh Valley, neither has performed well. Kemp had been hitting .100 with a .400 OPS in 30 at-bats in June, while Reyes had been hitting .161 with a .567 OPS in 31 at-bats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nBerroa is a nice defensive player in center field, but has not done much with the stick since he was called up on May 29. Berroa is batting .143 with four strikeouts in seven at-bats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nCrawford has seen his playing time cut recently, but it will increase again with Garcia down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Phillies’ need for a right-handed bat has now doubled<\/h2>\n
Given Garcia’s struggles at the plate, the Phillies were in the market for a right-handed outfield bat, but his injury has doubled that need. Among qualified right fielders, Garcia is the worst in OPS (.599), batting average (.195) and is second to Washington Nationals James Wood in strikeouts (84).<\/p>\n
Sadly, for the Phillies, their options on the trade market to possibly replace Garcia are few and far between. Only two right fielders who hit right-handed have over a .900 OPS: New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge (.908) and St. Louis Cardinals’ Jordan Walker (.926). Both are untouchable in trade negotiations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Skipping over Ronald Acuna Jr., who is the next best hitter, as he’s hurt and under a long-term contract, the only possible solution would be Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki. The Cubs are currently .500 and sit in fourth place in the National League Central and a game and a half back of the wild card.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With questions surrounding their plan at the trade deadline (Aug. 3), Suzuki could become available given his pending free agency after this season.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n