KC Royals: Making the case, Phillies free agents

The Philadelphia free agents include two utility players who might get a look from the KC Royals.

Rounding out the plethora of Phillies free agents are two versatile players for Kansas City’s consideration.

Neil Walker is a switch-hitter who’s spent most of his 12-year career at second base, but can also play first, third, and in the outfield. He owns a respectable .267/.338/.426 slash, but hit only .231 with a .244 OBP in 18 of 60 games last season.

Walker’s best big league years were the seven he spent with the Pirates—he averaged over 13 home runs and almost 60 RBIs a season and hit .272. He’s since played for the Mets, Brewers, Yankees, Marlins and Phillies. Walker’s glovework is essentially average.

Like Walker, Phil Gosselin is primarily a second baseman, but he’s seen action at third and shortstop, and has some time in the outfield corners. He has far less power (10 homers in eight years) than Walker, although his career .261 average close to Walker’s .267. Gosselin’s 122 games with the Diamondbacks in 2016 are the most he’s played in one season.

Walker and Gosselin are clearly journeyman utility players who won’t land everyday big league jobs. Although Walker can hit from both sides, nothing else distinguishes him or Gosselin from similar players; the KC Royals need to give Kelvin Gutierrez a chance before thinking about Walker or Gosselin.

The Phillies have a flock of free agents. Unfortunately, there isn’t much help among them for the KC Royals.