The Phillies signed veteran infielder Logan Forsythe to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
Forsythe, like Neil Walker and Josh Harrison, is a versatile veteran who will compete for a spot on the 2020 Phillies’ bench. Remember, active rosters expand to 26 this season and teams will be capped at 13 pitchers, meaning you’ll see five-man benches. For most of the last two seasons under Gabe Kapler, the Phillies went with four-man benches until September.
Forsythe is 33 years old. After his days as a starting second baseman in Tampa Bay ended in 2016, he became a Swiss Army knife extra man, playing five different positions for the Dodgers in 2017-18 and all four infield spots for the Rangers last season.
Success against left-handed pitching has, at times, been one of Forsythe’s appealing attributes. From 2015-17, he hit .288/.372/.515 against lefties. The last two seasons, he’s hit just .195 with a .285 OBP and no power against southpaws.
The Phils are hoping he reverts back to his longer track record against opposite-handed pitching. It doesn’t hurt at all to stockpile veterans with something to prove like Forsythe, Walker, Harrison and relievers Francisco Liriano, Bud Norris and Drew Storen. The law of averages says at least a couple of them will click. None received a guaranteed deal from the Phils this offseason.
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