Phillies Check Out Tulowitski, Sign Infielder Gosselin

The Phillies have a visit set for tomorrow from infielder Manny Machado. But as the Phillies go after the big name free agent infielder of the offseason, the Phillies kept their options open for their 2019 infield. They signed one utility infielder and took a look at a five-time All-Star.

The Phillies signed infielder Phil Gosselin to a minor-league contract, reported Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Gosselin is a native of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and attended Malvern Prep. Gosselin spent three years in the National League East with the Atlanta Braves before heading to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015.

Gosselin's best season was 2016 when he batted .277 in 220 at bats, while playing first base, second base, left field, right field, and designated hitter. But after 2016, Gosselin was unable to bat over the .200 mark the last two seasons in which he spent with the Pittsburgh PIrates and Texas Rangers (2017) and the Cincinnati Reds (2018).

The Phillies also checked out five-time All-Star Troy Tulowitzki. Tulowitzki worked out for 11 teams yesterday and the Phillies were one of them, reports Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports. Tulowitzki was released by the Toronto Blue Jays last week, eating the $38 million due to him the next two seasons. The team that signs Tulowitski will have to pay him the major league minimum of $555,000.00.

So teams like the Phillies might check him out. After battling injury last season, it is hard to say that Tulowitzki would play a strong shortstop as in the past. Tulowitzki's bat has not been strong, either. But Tulowitski has a career .856 OPS and a team could add him hoping that he is healthy and productive as he once was.

For Tulowitzki to help the Phillies, maybe he could play some third base. The Phillies most certainly would not use him at shortstop, where Jean Segura will get the bulk of the playing time. And the Phillies could potentially add Machado still. But it makes sense that since Tulowitzki will be available for the major league minimum, teams will at least check him out.

But third base could be solved after the Phillies make their pitch to Machado tomorrow and they may be set.