Phillies Rumors: Club Interested in OF-1B Brandon Moss

On 97.3 ESPN's air a couple weeks ago, Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock spoke about the club's extension with outfielder Odubel Herrera.  However, Proefrock also suggested that the Phillies could add one more bat to the lineup.   Proefrock indicated that the Phillies would be looking for a left-handed bat who could play some first base and a corner outfield spot.   It appears that the bat he mentioned could be first baseman and outfielder Brandon Moss.

FanRag Sports insider Jon Heyman reports that the Phillies and the Blue Jays are both interested in Moss.   As is the central point of Heyman's report, many power-type bats remain on the market.  Ahead of Moss are the likes of Mark Trumbo, Jose Bautista, Mike Napoli, Chris Carter, and Pedro Alvarez.   However, a few of those names may seem to work themselves out.

Many believe Bautista will end up back with the Blue Jays.  Napoli could join the Texas Rangers soon.   The Oakland Athletics are looking to scoop out one of the leftover power bats, but they were not mentioned with their former first baseman Moss.  Saunders plays outfield, and could not help the Phillies at first base; Carter and Alvarez do not play the outfield.

Trumbo does play outfield (albeit not too well) and first base, but is right-handed and would require a longer-term deal than the Phillies would like to give.

The Phillies can afford to give Moss a one-year deal on the larger side and give him at bats in right field and at first base when the Phillies face a tough right-handed pitcher.   Moss could fit in the lineup as a power threat between Maikel Franco and Tommy Joseph and help balance the lineup by hitting from the left side.

Moss played in the Phillies organization in 2011, mostly with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.  After a short stint with the Phillies, Moss left as a free agent after the 2011 season and joined the Oakland Athletics, where he became an All-Star.  Moss spent 2016 with the St. Louis Cardinals.