Didi a Done Deal

Didi Gregorius is your new Phillies shortstop. He signed a 1-year, $14 million contract today. The signing means Jean Segura moves to second base and for now, Scott Kingery is your third baseman.

Didi played for Joe Girardi with the Yankees, and Girardi loves him. He's apparently a huge positive influence in the clubhouse and is looking to increase his value after an off-year when he was recovering from Tommy John surgery.

He has some power and should be good for at least 20 homers. He's not a big on-base guy, so I look for him to hit anywhere from 5th to 8th in the lineup. He's basically Cesar Hernandez with more power. Yay? And his defense will be better than Segura, whose declining range should be easier to hide at second base.

Here's the way I see the lineup, as of today:
McCutchen - LF
Kingery - 3B
Harper - RF
Hoskins - 1B
Realmuto - C
Gregorius - SS
Segura - 2B
Hasley - CF


This leaves the Phillies about $6 million if they want to stay under the luxury tax. Unless they sign Anthony Rendon or Gerrit Cole. But I have a feeling they'll go for a middling free agent starter like Tanner Roark or Wade Miley to stay away from the tax. Throw in a couple more relievers, and the roster is done.

GM Matt Klentak has been busy over the last few weeks. And this off-season has been a hell of a lot more interesting than last year. And pitchers and catcher report to Clearwater 2 months from tomorrow.