The Phillies could have interest in Brad Hawpe when he clears release waivers, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links). A club official told Rosenthal that the Phillies will be a “maybe” on Monday or Tuesday once he can sign with any team.
The Red Sox, who were looking for a left-handed hitting first baseman before we learned that Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury were out for the season, will not likely pursue Hawpe, according to Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. Hawpe has spent most of his career in right field, but has appeared in a handful of games at first base this year. He hasn't hit like a first baseman, as his .255/.343/.432 line shows.
MLBTR's Tim Dierkes suggested the White Sox and Rays could also have interest, before the Rockies released Hawpe.
BS
What in the world would the Phillies to do with Hawpe? They cant even use him to platoon with Ibanez.
nm344
Ibanez doesnt need any platooning. Take a look at his last 6 weeks or so.
phillies1996
ik howard comes back in like 4 days sooooo………..why? if they want to use him off the bench thats just adding another valdez
AdenverGuy
I think he ends up with the Rangers
Jim
id take hawpe over valdez and maybe even francisco anyday
Kevin
Come on Kenny, either you go with Laroche or this guy, preferably the former, you have got to do something rather than just standing pat.
Hurricane
Maybe he’s waiting for a chance at getting Manny.
Kevin
I wouldn’t mind that actually, if he can stay healthy.
SteveWFC
You realize Valdez is their valuable backup infielder and Hawpe is a completely superfluous outfielder who is not as good as any of the other superfluous outfielders currently on the roster, right?
Mike
Wilson Valdez has been extremely valuable this season given the injuries to Rollins and Utley – he’s provided steady defense and put up respectable, albeit pedestrian by the Phillies’ history, numbers (if you overlook GIDP).Nothing against Hawpe, but he’s no upgrade over Francisco. When Howard returns from the DL, the Phils’ bench will consist of Valdez (R), Sweeney (R), Francisco (R), Gload (L), and Schneider (L). There’s no need for another lefty.I’ll pass on Hawpe, thank you.P.S. Sign him, assign him to AAA, and then bring him up when the rosters expand? Okay, I’ll do that.
Mike
Actually, assign Hawpe to AA. I’m tired of watching Timo Perez run around RF for the Reading Phillies.
Dylan
You forgot Brown.
Mike
Whoa, thanks! How could I forget DOM!? He’s another lefty, so you just emphasized my point! 🙂
philsWSchamps
actually there’s this kid that’s going to be in Lakewood this Friday that they say is pretty good too. Howard something?
philsWSchamps
ya i’d think they’d have a better chance of pursuing Manny than Hawpe but even still I’d rather have a solid lefty coming out of the pen.
ColonelTom
Phils might try to grab Hawpe to keep him away from the Braves, who could really use him. They could DFA Gload (signed through 2011) and figure either he’ll clear waivers and come back Sept. 1, or someone will take him and clear some salary for next year. Hawpe would take over Gload’s role as backup 1B/RF.
Gload is also still limping a bit from a groin injury, which could be used to justify a DL trip.
bevothephenom
i dont understand this at all…..depth is good…but not when the outfield already has francisco and brown(better than hawpe anyways)….we need some infield depth…..valdez is good but i feel we can do better
Mike
Totally agree. Take a look at Harold Garcia, the AA 2B. He’s a switch-hitter with a slash line of .337/.393/.466 between Clearwater (A+) and Reading (AA). Only 23 years old, he has 26 SB (42 SB last year) and has a .991 fielding percentage as a second baseman at the two levels combined. If 3B Cody Overbeck doesn’t start hitting for average in the higher minors (.236 at AA; .270 combined A+ and AA… although he has a combined 20 HR), the Phils might want to consider moving Garcia to 3B and have him become a Chone Figgins-esque player at the hot corner.