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We recapped most of the Phillies narratives headed into the Winter Meetings, and so naturally the first little nugget to pop out is in regards to something we didn't mention: Cody Asche.
I mean, yeah, the Phillies could trade Asche, he's just not the first guy you think of when you're talking about trade assets. This is a Ken Giles Town, friend. But out in L.A., they appear to like what they've seen from the third baseman/outfielder.
One potential trade target to monitor: Phillies LHH 3B/LF Cody Asche. They want pitching. Angels could part with Gott, Morin or Bedrosian.
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) December 7, 2015
Keep in mind: Angels don't need to acquire 1 LF, 1 2B, 1 3B. They can get versatile guys to rotate thru. Utley could've done that at 2B/DH.
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) December 7, 2015
Asche had a very Asche-appropriatae 2015, hitting .245/.294/.395 in a career-high 129 games that also featured a career-high 12 home runs. Keep in mind his career at this point is 300 games over three seasons. At 25, there are teams in this league that have no business turning away a .250-hitter who can play multiple positions.
As for the Angels prospects mentioned:
Trevor Gott: 2.25 ERA, 9.6 SO/9, 3.9 BB/9, 2.5 SO/W in 28 IP (Minors); 3.02 ERA, 5.1 SO/9, 3.0 BB/9, 1.7 SO/W in 47.2 IP (MLB)
Mike Morin: 5.89 ERA, 9.8 SO/9, 2.9 BB/9, 3.3 SO/W in 18.1 IP (Minors); 6.37 ERA, 10.4 SO/9, 2.3 BB/9, 4.6 SO/W in 35.1 IP (MLB)
Cam Bedrosian (Son of Steve!!): 2.78 ERA, 10.6 SO/9, 3.5 BB/9, 3.0 SO/W in 35.2 IP (Minors); 5.40 ERA, 9.2 SO/9, 5.1 BB/9, 1.8 SO/W in 33.1 IP (MB)
Asche's future on the Phillies has long been speculated due to the presence of our new chosen one, Maikel Franco, who played third base as well. While Asche came up as a presence in the hot corner, he has been shifted into a sort-of outfield role. Occasionally.
But Gonzalez citing the versatility of Asche as a reason the Angels should rotate him onto their roster in exchange for pitching prospects means that the Phillies' decision to send Asche to the minors to become an outfielder over a three-week period that I am always laughing about was actually a productive move. Looks like I have another hat to eat. Might be a long winter for me. In the hospital, gagging up hats.