MLB Rumors: Phillies May Add Josh Harrison To Fill Up Utility Player Hole

The Philadelphia Phillies are in the market for another bench player and the name of Josh Harrison has cropped up as a potential target. So far, they have contracted several players, but the fact remains that more needs to be done to hone players coming off the bench.

After being with the Pittsburgh Pirates for eight years, the 31-year-old pro baseball player joins the list of interesting free agents available. According to Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports, several teams have already expressed interest in the infielder and outfielder. If consummated, he would join Jean Segura in the infield, someone the Phillies acquired from the Seattle Mariners.

Adding Harrison should shore up the defensive end of the Phillies. The 31-year-old has been known to be strong defensively throughout his career, owning 20 defensive runs saved at second base and 19 at third base, Fansided noted. In 2018, he spent almost all season at second base, winding up with -2 defensive runs saved and a -4.4 UZR/150.

This is despite Harrison missing some time due to a broken left hand. He played only 97 games posting a .250/.293/.363 line with eight home runs and 37 runs batted in. Harrison’s 80 OPS+, the second-lowest of his career.

After entering the league in 2011, it took him three years to break out. This happened in 2014 where he hit 13 home runs and driving in 52 runs with a .315 batting average and .837 OPS. That earned him a slot in his first All-Star Game and also allowed him to finish ninth in MVP voting.

Three years later, Harrison replicated being an all-star with a .272/.339/.432 line, 103 OPS+, 16 home runs and 47 runs batted in. He stole 12 bases in 16 games, walking 5.2 percent and striking out in 16.6 percent of the time.

As a whole, Harrison has done a decent job in his career and has been a league-average hitter. His All-Star appearance is something to consider, but his future play will still depend on other factors, including his ability to blend in with the Phillies once called upon.

But if he is taken in as a backup, he could be perfect for the third base position. The Phillies have been linked to top stars like Manny Machado and Bryce Harper -- negotiations which are likely to take some time, CBS Sports reported.