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Moving Odubel Herrera Back To the Infield Would Solve Two Problems For Philadelphia Phillies

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Odubel Herrera, Philadelphia Phillies,

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Looking logically at the Philadelphia Phillies this season, they have two problems that stand out from many—an overcrowded outfield and an under-productive infield. They could help solve both of those issues with a simple move of Odubel Herrera back to the infield, where he belongs.

When the Phillies acquired Herrera in the Rule 5 draft over the offseason from the Texas Rangers, he was a lifetime infielder—second baseman and shortstop—with above average defensive reports from the scouts at both positions. Some genius in the Phillies’ system, maybe even GM Ruben Amaro Jr., made the decision to switch Herrera to outfield in spring training. The thought then was that the team was committed to Freddy Galvis at shortstop and Chase Utley at second and there would be no room for Herrera in that equation.

Since then, though, the math has changed. The Phillies are having a tough time finding outfield at-bats for players like Darin Ruf, Ben Revere, Grady Sizemore and Jeff Francoeur, and Utley’s production as a second baseman is near zero or at least .123, which is what he is hitting now.

Moving Herrera back to the infield would help the offensive production of that group, with him spelling both Galvis and Utley to get the at-bats he needs. It would also help the team give Ruf a good look in left field, something he deserves, and allow Revere and Francoeur to stay in the lineup.

Right now, after a hot start, Herrera is hitting .275, but that could be due to the stress involved in learning a new position at the MLB level. Once he’s back in his comfort zone of the infield, those numbers could go up.

Even if they don’t, he will be hitting at least 150 points higher than Utley is now, and the Phils need that kind of production above any misplaced sentimentally toward a longtime team icon.

Mike Gibson is a Phillies writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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