By Doug Poe
Josh Harrison suffered a fractured hand after being hit by a pitch in Sunday's game against the Miami Marlins, an injury which will likely sideline Pittsburgh's All-Star second baseman for almost two months. The Pirates, who currently sit on top of the National League Central division, need not look too hard to find an experienced Gold Glove winner to fill in at second during Harrison's prolonged stint on the disabled list.
Their answer, if they intend to stay at the top of the division, is not likely to be the guy they called up from the farm system immediately after Harrison's injury. That player from Triple A Indianapolis is Max Moroff who, after 59 Big League games and three separate call ups since 2016, has a career batting average of just .195.
For a better option skipper Clint Hurdle and General Manager Neal Huntington need to meet with a free agent second baseman who was one of the best at that position just a little over a season ago, when he played for the team in Josh Hamilton's home town of Cincinnati.
Brandon Phillips became a free agent over the winter, but he remains unsigned. Although he is 36 years old, Phillips still carries an above average glove and wields a quick bat.
As recently as last year Phillips batted .285 with 13 home runs, accumulating over six hundred at bats between stints with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels. Even more impressive, given his age, Phillips also managed to grab eleven stolen bases as well.
Phillips has over ten years experience playing against clubs in the N.L.Central, having spent so its his entire career with the Reds. He has achieved some of his best statistics against Pittsburgh rivals in St. Louis, Chicago, and Milwaukee, all three which figure to be the top contenders for the division.
Just last week Phillips told John Morosi of MLB.COM that he has no plans to retire and is waiting for a team to call. In that interview Phillips discussed his willingness to play several different infield positions, while also offering to learn to fill in at left field of necessary.
That call should come soon, and it should come from either an area code of 412 or 878, depending on which part of Pittsburgh the general manager resides. By the time the Pirates begin their inter league series with the Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh fans should be cheering for the All-Star second baseman wearing the customary number four on the back of his new jersey.