Phillies not expected to sign .715 OPS ex-Mets right-handed hitting OF

Phillies not expected to sign .715 OPS ex-Mets right-handed hitting OF originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia Phillies have the same issue that they've had for a while now: their right-handed hitting outfielder options are not great.

Adolis Garcia has been severely disappointing, while Otto Kemp and Felix Reyes haven't been good enough when given big-league opportunities. The Phillies could use one more right-handed hitting outfielder this season.

While the trade market is one area of focus, there is a former New York Mets right-handed outfielder, Austin Slater, who could be an option for the Phillies. But, as Matt Gelb of The Athletic revealed, the Phillies are not expected to target this outfielder.

Phillies not expected to sign ex-Mets OF Austin Slater

"Austin Slater, another righty outfielder with some past success, has been with the Miami Marlins and Mets this season and is a free agent," Gelb writes. "The Phillies are not expected to pursue him as depth, league sources said."

The Phillies, despite their need for a new right-handed hitting outfielder, whether it's simply as depth or as a full-time starter, are not expected to go after Slater.

Slater is a 10-year MLB veteran who has a .715 OPS and 98 OPS+ in his career. This season, between stints with the Marlins and Mets, he's posted a .518 OPS.

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He might not be the kind of player he once was, but he wouldn't have been a bad option for the Phillies to consider bringing in on a cheap deal to see if he could be a decent depth piece.

Instead, the Phillies are looking elsewhere for their righty outfield help. Whether it's a trade, internal promotion, or a free-agent signing, Dave Dombrowski doesn't seem likely to bring in Slater to help the outfield this season.

This right-handed outfield spot is going to be a tricky one for the Phillies to resolve, as there aren't a lot of great options, and those that could make sense are likely to be expensive.

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