Something Has to Happen

Since winning four straight on the West Coast last week, the Phillies have done squat. They've lost 5 of 6 and have been outscored 27-12. It's time to do something drastic. 

They're already 8 games behind the first-place Mets, who keep winning without Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer. This was the time to make up ground on the Mets, but they keep falling in the standings. 

Something has to happen. I suggest getting rid of Odubel Herrera. His ridiculous attempt to score on a medium-distance line drive last night is typical of his base-running history. He was out by 20 feet. Just because a guy is fast doesn't mean he's a good baserunner. And he's not. He's terrible. 

So if you release or demote Herrera, who takes his place? Might I suggest reaching out to the Pittsburgh Pirates and seeing what it will take to get Brian Reynolds, a former all-star center fielder? It would probably take a pretty big package to get Reynolds–something along the lines of either of the Phillies' top pitching prospects (Mick Abel or Andrew Painter), hot catching prospect Logan O'Hoppe, another prospect like outfielder Simon Muzziotti, and Rhys Hoskins. Reynolds fills the void in center and Alec Bohm moves to first, with Bryson Stott and Johan Camargo taking over at third.

Or you promote Mickey Moniak, who is recovering from a broken wrist on a rehab assignment in Clearwater. Moniak was going to make the team out of spring training, but was hurt in the last game of the spring. Moniak is 3 for 7 with Clearwater, trying to prove he's ready for MLB action. He's ready. You can keep Roman Quinn as the other outfielder, since he's a switch-hitter, or bring up Dalton Guthrie from triple A, who's hitting .280 and playing center. 

But the thing that usually happens when a team that was expected to contend is underperforming is that the manager gets fired. Phillies president Dave Dombrowski inherited Joe Girardi, so he's not really invested in him. And Girard's contract is up after this season. He's the lamest of ducks, leading a team that's 4 games under .500 and 8 games out of first. 

Maybe a new voice in the clubhouse will work. But I think having a better option in center would have a bigger impact. Herrera is a loser, and everybody knows what kind of player and person he is. Replacing him with a rookie who was poised to break out or a former all-star might be enough to get this team going. There are still 122 games left, but it's getting late early.