5 Free-Agent Sluggers Who Could Fix Philadelphia Phillies’ Power Outage
Throughout the mid-to-late 2000s, the Philadelphia Phillies played long ball with the best of any team in Major League Baseball. Now, however, that power is starting to flicker.
In 2009, the Phillies hit 224 home runs when they returned to the World Series to defend their championship.
But in the last two seasons, the Phillies have hit just 311 home runs combined—153 in 2011 and 158 in 2012—finishing 18th in the league in both seasons.
It’s pretty telling when your shortstop—Jimmy Rollins—is your home-run leader with 23 and the second-place man—Hunter Pence with 17—left the team in late July.
Some of that missing power obviously has a lot to do with extended absences of both Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, but they still need a little assistance.
Bob Brookover of Philly.com believes the answer is in the power, and re-energizing that power. That’s certainly hard to argue his point, especially with Citizens Bank Park being known as a hitters’ park.
So, just who could the Phillies look toward to find that power?
Let’s take a look.