By any language, outfield still crowded
PHILADELPHIA » Pete Mackanin saw an unfamiliar face at his usual pre-game writers briefing Saturday and decided to take a guess.
“I hope you’re Kim’s interpreter,” Mackanin said while addressing a young reporter who perhaps could have fit the job description. Alas, no such luck.
As it was, Mackanin didn’t need help talking with his newest outfielder on a team that already had too many outfielders. That’s because Hyun Soo Kim, who was acquired by the Phillies late Friday night from Baltimore, in a deal that saw pending free agent pitcher Jeremy Hellickson join the Orioles staff, hadn’t arrived yet at Citizens Bank Park.
Kim, who played just 56 games this season with the Orioles, and was slashing .232/.305/.288 with just one homer and 10 RBIs through 125 at-bats, wasn’t scheduled to arrive until Sunday. There was no guarantee he would be in the lineup that day ... nor is there any guarantee he’s going to see a start with his new team anytime soon.
“I don’t know,” Mackanin said, “how much time I’ll be able to get for our new player ... Kim. Kim? Is that Soo...”
The reporter ... or temporary “interpreter” ... then gave Mackanin the proper pronunciation of the new guy’s name. Not that the manager will have to use it a whole lot.
“Yeah, I don’t know how I’m going to get him a lot of playing time,” Mackanin said. “Once again ... a dilemma. A conundrum. That’s today’s word.”
All this just a day after one Phillies outfielder of note, Howie Kendrick, was also traded. Mackanin said he’d received a call about that deal in the fifth inning Friday night, Kendrick going to the Washington Nationals in exchange for minor league pitcher McKenzie Mills, while the Phillies also sent cash to help cover Kendrick’s remaining salary.
That done, it took all night Friday before Baltimore allowed the Hellickson deal to officially be announced. In addition to Kim, the Phillies got left-handed minor league pitcher Garrett Cleavinger, who will report to Double-A Reading. The Phils also picked up more than $6 million left on Hellickson’s deal while receiving an international amateur signing bonus pool allocation.
Mackanin said he “felt sorry” for Hellickson, who had been scratched from the game and expected to hear a deal go down. Instead, he hung out in the dugout uncertain as to what was happening.
“It’s tougher for him, not as tough for me, obviously,” Mackanin said. “I know Hellickson liked it here. He would have liked to stay here, I know that. But you accept whatever happens; bought, sold, traded, released, fired (or) waived.”
*** Mackanin noted the recent progress of Aaron Altherr and the good start fashioned by Nick Williams has given his lineup a measure of stability.
“Altherr has really responded well,” Mackanin said of his club’s home run leader (16), who over the four games prior to Saturday night was hitting .571 with a 1.571 slugging percentage. “That’s been a great thing to see and Williams is holding his own, even against left-handed pitchers. Those two guys in themselves have been a real bonus ... as far as seeing if they fit in here. I’m not saying it’s a done deal but it really bodes well.”
*** NOTES » The Phillies brought up Pedro Beato, 30, who was serving as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs closer and last appeared in a major league game (with the Braves) in 2014. Beato posted a 2.72 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 44 games with the Pigs this season. He promptly hurt his hamstring in his first appearance Saturday night, and will be evaluated Sunday. ... Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (6-7, 4.31 ERA) vs. Phils’ Vince Velasquez Sunday.