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Fantasy Baseball 2018: Red Sox sign Brandon Phillips

By Bill Pivetz

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 27: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim tosses his bat after a ball was called on a pitch by Reynaldo Lopez #40 of the Chicago White Sox (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 27, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 27: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim tosses his bat after a ball was called on a pitch by Reynaldo Lopez #40 of the Chicago White Sox (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 27, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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The Red Sox added middle infield depth by signing Brandon Phillips. Does the 36-year-old have any fantasy baseball value left?

The Boston Red Sox are just percentage points behind the New York Yankees in the American League East. The team has some great weapons on offense but have a few holes to fill if they want to compete for a World Series. They have made solved one of those issues by signing veteran Brandon Phillips.

Phillips was last seen on a baseball field last season splitting time between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels. In 144 combined games, he hit .285 with 13 home runs, 60 RBIs, 81 runs scored and a .319 on-base percentage.

He had a 12.1 strikeout rate, his highest in three seasons. Phillips’ walk rate left something to be desired at 3.5 percent, continuing the slow decline throughout his career. He made good contact with the ball, posting a 22.2 ground ball rate, 49.5 line drive rate and 28.3 fly ball rate, all better or near his career averages.

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The Red Sox have had some bad luck with their middle infielders. Dustin Pedroia missed most of the first two months before returning for just three games. He was placed back on the DL with inflammation in his left knee. He suffered a setback and isn’t expected back until the end of July.

In the interim, Eduardo Nunez has filled in. However, he hasn’t hit well either. In 257 at-bats. He is hitting .253 with four homers, 18 RBIs, 29 runs and four steals. The team is also using Brock Holt but have used him at shortstop, first base and outfield this season.

Phillips will spend some time in Florida to get into game shape and then report to Triple-A Pawtucket, according to MLB.com reporter Ian Browne. With this, I don’t expect to see Phillips in a Red Sox uniform until after the All-Star break.

Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told Browne, and others, that he sees Phillips as someone who can play a number of positions. So, we may see him at first and third base throughout the second half, adding to his eligibility.

In a year where second base hasn’t produced much fantasy value, Phillips finally signing with a team could lead to some second-half success. His numbers show that he can still make good contact with the ball. The negative is that the power is declining. He hasn’t posted an OPS+ over 100 since 2011.

This signing also doesn’t bode well for anyone holding out hope for Pedroia’s return. I don’t think the Red Sox would sign a player of Phillips’ value if he were to serve as just a backup. He will be the starting second baseman once he is caught up to game speed. If you need help at middle infield or just need another starter, then he’s someone to target.

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Phillips will benefit by playing in hitter-friendly parks and facing some subpar pitching from the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays. He’s a deep-league option but can help with batting average and RBIs if needed. He carries second base and third base eligibility in ESPN leagues.

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