One of the most popular Phillies of the last decade, Shane “Flyin’ Hawaiian” Victorino, is trading in his Phillies red for Dodgers blue after the Phillies parted ways with their strong-armed outfielder, but he wasn’t alone.
Hunter Pence, who came here last year to fortify a lineup that lacked any oomph in the outfield, has now officially been shipped out to the West Coast as well, but to the San Francisco Giants. His departure completes a gutting of the Phillies’ outfield hours before the trade deadline at 4 p.m.
The Phillies have traded right fielder Hunter Pence to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for outfielder Nate Schierholtz, catcher Tommy Joseph and right-hander Seth Rosin, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced in a press release. The Phillies also sent cash to the Giants.
Rumors continue to swirl about whether the Phillies are done unloading, with starting pitcher Joe Blanton also possible trade bait in the next few hours as the last place Phillies try to build for next year.
The biggest question left: Who will actually play the outfield for the rest of this season?
Schierholtz, 28, was hitting .257 with five doubles, five triples, five home runs and 17 RBI in 77 games. A left-handed hitter, Schierholtz has made 37 starts in right field this year. As a pinch-hitter this year, he had six hits in 28 at-bats (.214), but for his career owns a .296 (37-125) pinch average with two home runs and 16 RBI. Selected in the second round by the Giants in the 2003 draft, Schierholtz had spent his entire professional career with the organization and is a career .270 hitter with 23 home runs, 119 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 503 major league games.
Joseph, 21, was hitting .260 with eight home runs and 38 RBI in 80 games for double-A Richmond this season. Last year, he batted .270 with 22 home runs and 95 RBI in 127 games for single-A San Jose. Joseph was originally selected in the second round of the 2009 draft out of Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Az.
Rosin, 23, has gone 2-1 with 10 saves and a 4.31 ERA in 34 games (five starts) for single-A San Jose this season. In his 56.1 innings pitched, the 6-foot-6, 250-pound right-hander has 68 strikeouts (10.86 SO/9.0 IP). Rosin was a fourth-round selection of the Giants in the 2010 draft out of the University of Minnesota.
