Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Possible Short-Term Replacements for Freddy Galvis

Freddy Galvis became the first Philadelphia Phillies player to start on Opening Day while making his major league debut in over 40 years when the Phils opened the regular season against the Pittsburgh Pirates last week.

But as the Phillies struggle collectively to get their offense started early in the season, the team could look to change up their lineup by finding a short-term replacement for Galvis, who has one hit and a .077 batting average in 13 at-bats to start the season.

If the Phils plan on having Chase Utley return from injury around the same time he did last season, or sooner, they may not need a long-term replacement at second base.

With a number of starters cemented at their positions, the Phillies could have to weather the storm until their offense erupts.

However, Galvis and his spot at second base could be looked at for possible short-term replacements.

Pete Orr

With Chase Utley and Michael Martinez beginning the season on the disabled list, Orr won a spot on the Phillies’ Opening Day roster.

His over 70 career starts at second base could help him into the starting lineup should a replacement be needed for Galvis.

Orr batted .219 with 21 hits in 46 games for the Phils last season while spending time at both the major league and Triple-A levels. At Triple-A, Orr batted .267 with five home runs, 26 RBI and 75 hits in 75 games.

The career .254 hitter has played in over 100 games at second base and has made 10 career errors at the position.

Although not a significant upgrade, Orr gives the Phillies an internal option and experience should the team decide to replace Galvis.

Andres Blanco

Blanco was signed by the Phillies prior to Opening Day and was sent to Triple-A to begin the season.

The utility infielder played in 36 games for the Texas Rangers last season, and entered spring training with the Washington Nationals prior to his signing with the Phils.

Blanco batted .224 for the Rangers last season while making two trips to the disabled list, but batted .277 in 68 games for the team in 2010.

Blanco has also appeared in over 115 career games at second base, where he has made seven errors, and made 52 starts at the position during the 2009 and 2010 seasons combined.

A fast start at Triple-A could put Blanco in line for a call-up should the Phillies decide that replacing Galvis is the best short-term option.

Mike Fontenot

Fontenot was released by the San Francisco Giants prior to Opening Day, and is currently a free agent.

The career .263 hitter batted .227 with four home runs and 21 RBI in 85 games for the Giants last season. In 103 games between the Giants and Chicago Cubs in 2010, Fontenot batted .283 with 25 RBI.

Fontenot has also logged over 200 games at second base during his career. In 286 games at the position, Fontenot has a .981 fielding percentage.

Prior to his release, Fontenot had batted .278 in 13 games during spring training while making 10 starts at second base.

Fontenot is a free-agent option that the Phillies could sign as a short-term replacement at second base, but his experience could keep him on the roster for the long term.

Placido Polanco

Polanco may be the Phillies’ current starting third baseman, but the three-time Gold Glove award recipient has made more career starts at second base than he has at third.

The two-time All-Star started 527 games at second base from 2006 to 2009, and has appeared in over 1,000 career games at the position. Polanco also has a career .993 fielding percentage at second base.

Polanco batted .277 with 50 RBI and 130 hits in 122 games for the Phils last season. He also batted .336 in 119 at-bats against left-handed pitchers.

Moving Polanco to second base for the short term would mean playing Ty Wigginton, Pete Orr or possibly Hector Luna, who is currently playing at Triple-A, at third base.

Although starting Polanco at second base would take him away from the position that he has played over 240 games at over the past two seasons, his over 1,000 career games at second could make him the best short-term option.

Ty Wigginton

Wigginton was the Phillies’ starting first baseman on Opening Day, but his versatility could allow him to spend time at both infield and outfield spots this season.

Although he does not have as much experience at the position as he does at first and third base, Wigginton has still started over 140 career games at second base.

Wigginton batted .242 with 15 home runs and 47 RBI in 130 games for the Colorado Rockies last season. Last season was also the sixth consecutive season in which he appeared in over 100 games, and the eighth consecutive season in which he has played multiple positions.

Wigginton may have to spend the majority of his time at first base while Ryan Howard recovers from injury, but with a few fielding adjustments, he could also become a short-term replacement at second base.