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Phillies have replacement in mind for Didi Gregorius

By Scott Rogust

Aug 19, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Freddy Galvis (3) throws to first base against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Freddy Galvis (3) throws to first base against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia Phillies have a backup plan in mind if they can’t re-sign shortstop Didi Gregorius.

Last winter, the Philadelphia Phillies made a huge splash in signing former New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius to a one-year contract. This past season, Gregorius was arguably Philadelphia’s best player, as he was consistent at the plate and solid defensively. Gregorius is currently a free agent shortstop, in a market that has been unbearably slow. While the Phillies would like to bring him back, they have a backup option in mind.

According to Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies are interested in Freddy Galvis to potentially become their starting shortstop in 2021.

Galvis previously spent six seasons in Philadelphia

As mentioned earlier, Gregorius hasn’t received much attention in free agency, and neither has Marcus Semien of the Oakland Athletics and Andrelton Simmons of the Los Angeles Angels. In fact, the Phillies are one of four teams that are interested in Semien. While Galvis isn’t in the same tier as those names, he’s redeemed himself since departing Philadelphia in 2017.

This past season with the Reds, Galvis slashed .220/.308/.404 with seven home runs, 16 RBI, 18 runs scored and 31 hits in 47 games. Galvis played 33 games at shortstop in Cincinnati, where he posted a .967 fielding percentage and committed three errors in 92 defensive chances.

As for Gregorius, he’s looking to receive a long-term contract with an MLB team after taking a prove-it deal with the Phillies this past year. Gregorius played in all 60 games with the Phillies, where he recorded a .284 batting average and .827 OPS along with 10 home runs, 40 RBI, 34 runs scored and 60 hits. Gregorius posted a .968 fielding percentage and recorded 35 double plays in 218 chances.

The shortstop market will heat up at some point, but it’ll be a matter of which team opts to strike a deal first. Until then, Phillies fans will have to speculate on who will fill the void in 2021.

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