The Braves called up prospect Ozzie Albies Tuesday and manager Brian Snitker made it clear that Albies would be the primary second baseman for the forseeable future, leaving Phillips in a state of limbo.
Phillips, 36, was left to think about a discussion with Snitker on Tueday in which the manager suggested he be willing to play some third base, a position where the 36-year-old former Gold Glover has played a total of one game so long ago that it was when he was still in the Montreal Expos’ organization, back in 2001.
"I'm hoping he does" agree to play some third base, Snitker said. "We'll address (the alternative) if he says he won't. I don't know, that's another obstacle we'll (deal with) when we get there."
Snitker said he would talk with Phillips again Wednesday after giving him a night to think about it. He wouldn’t have been in the lineup Tuesday even if Albies hadn’t been called up, Snitker said, because Phillips had a sore ankle after being hit by a ball Monday.
The fact that Phillips didn’t immediately balk at the third-base suggestion at least gave Snitker reason to think he’d consider it.
“I told him, he’s a baseball player. I really think he could go anywhere on the diamond,” Snitker said. “But he’s only played second, and that’s something that…I talked to him, said in some point in time I kind of figured that this was going to happen and we were going to bring Albies up, because we look at him as potential long-term (Braves lineup regular).
“I think (Phillips) could play third. He’s gifted enough, reactions are good, arm’s good, he’s quick. I don’t know, might be less wear and tear on him at third base than there is at second. But it’s something where you hit a guy with it, you need to give him a little space and time to process it a little bit.”
If he's to remain with his hometown team, Phillips is almost certainly going to have to play another position or two. Otherwise, the Braves might have little choice but to release him before much longer, unless they can get him through waivers and trade him to a team looking to add a bench bat or fill a need due to injury. Phillips is in the final year of his contract and will be a free agent this winter.
The longtime Stone Mountain, Ga., resident hit .290 with 35 extra-base hits (eight home runs) and 38 RBIs in 94 games (385 plate appearances) before Tuesday, with nine stolen bases and a .768 OPS. It would be his third consecutive season hitting .290 or higher and his highest OPS since a .750 in 2012.
“He’s been great,” Snitker said.
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