Scuffed Balls

LAS VEGAS -- The Phillies are on the verge of adding a former National League Most Valuable Player Award winner to their outfield, but his name is not Bryce Harper.

A source told MLB.com on Tuesday that the Phillies and Andrew McCutchen have reached an agreement on a three-year, $50 million contract, pending a physical. The Athletic reports the deal includes a club option for a fourth season.

McCutchen's arrival does not remove the Phillies from the Harper and Manny Machado sweepstakes. The Phillies plan to meet with their agents this week at the Winter Meetings, and they very well could meet in person with Harper. It is unclear if Philadelphia has already met with Machado. But McCutchen's addition to the Phillies' lineup -- the organization believes he will hit well at Citizens Bank Park -- means Philadelphia might not feel as pressured to sign either Harper or Machado.

It could open other doors, too, allowing the Phillies to trade an outfielder like Odubel Herrera or Nick Williams, who could help them address another need. The Phillies remain in the market for a starting pitcher, although they prefer to sign free-agent left-hander J.A. Happ. He is seeking a three-year contract. The Indians continue to shop former American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber and right-hander Trevor Bauer.

Sources said the Phillies remain in the hunt for Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, too.

It is not a stretch to see the Phillies making a trade to "move the needle," as Phillies general manager Matt Klentak has said is the team's offseason goal. The Phillies have been shopping top prospect Sixto Sanchez, according to MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal. Sanchez is the type of talent that could pry somebody like Kluber or Realmuto away from a team, if other pieces make sense, too.

But saying that, the Phillies still believe they have upgraded their outfield with McCutchen, who turned 32 in October. He is not the player that won the 2013 NL MVP Award with the Pirates, but he continues to hit. McCutchen batted a combined .255 with 20 home runs, 65 RBIs and a .792 OPS last season with the Giants and Yankees. He posted an .892 OPS in 114 plate appearances with the Yankees.

McCutchen has posted a 121 OPS+ the past two seasons. No Phillies outfielder other than Rhys Hoskins posted league-average offense or better last season.

It is unclear if McCutchen will play left or right field. McCutchen posted two Defensive Runs Saved in right field last season. Statcast™, however, listed him at -11 Outs Above Average, which ranked 82nd out of 87 qualified outfielders.

Regardless of the metrics, if the Phillies put McCutchen in left field, he will be an upgrade over Hoskins, who will play first base in 2019. Hoskins posted -24 DRS and -19 OAA in left field.

Todd Zolecki/MLB.com

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Harold Baines and Lee Smith voted into Hall of Fame by Today’s Game Committee

On December 10, 2018, in Baltimore, Chi Cubs, Chi White Sox, Texas

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Tyson Ross agrees to a one-year deal with Tigers

On December 10, 2018, in Detroit

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Mike Napoli retires after 12-year career

On December 8, 2018, in Boston, Cleveland, LA Angels, Texas

Longtime slugger Mike Napoli announced his retirement Saturday via a statement released through his Twitter account.

"After much thought and consideration with my family, I have decided to retire from the game of baseball," Napoli said. "I dreamed about playing baseball since I was a little kid growing up in Hollywood, [Fla.], and I was lucky enough to get paid to play a kids game for 18 years."

THANK YOU... pic.twitter.com/CzhaoU9YUH
— Mike Napoli (@MikeNapoli25) December 8, 2018

Napoli, 37, was a free agent, and he hadn't suited up for a big league club since 2017, when he hit 29 home runs over 124 games for the Rangers. The former first baseman and catcher signed a Minor League deal with the Indians last spring, but he tore the ACL and meniscus in his right knee during a Triple-A game in April and underwent season-ending surgery.

Napoli began his MLB career with the Angels in 2006 and played for four franchises over a 12-year span.

"I was blessed to be mentored by great people at the beginning of my career with the Angels and was able to bring that winning attitude to each clubhouse that I was fortunate to be a part of," Napoli said. "I hope to be remembered as someone who always tried to keep the clubhouse atmosphere light and inclusive, making sure that everyone was respected by his peers while leading by example, both on and off the field.

"Most importantly, I am proudest of positively affecting people's lives and putting smiles on people's faces by simply being myself, reflecting the way I was brought up in South Florida."

Napoli's grit and professionalism endeared him to several fan bases, most notably in Cleveland where his powerful swings to the left-field seats inspired the "Party at Napoli's" catchphrase. The 2012 All-Star finishes his career with 267 homers and 744 RBIs while having played in three World Series, including Boston's championship run in '13.

Matt Kelly/ MLB.com

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