If you weren’t watching the wire this weekend, the Phillies swung an early deal to add a lefty power bat. Today, the club announced that outfielder Nick Williams was optioned out to make way for veteran slugger Jay Bruce, who’s active for the team’s game this evening.
In another move, the Phils have optioned down lefty Cole Irvin. He’ll be replaced on the active roster by fellow southpaw Austin Davis, who’ll slip into the bullpen.
The 25-year-old Williams was already optioned out after receiving few opportunities during a rough start to the season. He came back onto the active roster following the arrest of outfielder Odubel Herrera, but has since struck out six times in eight plate appearances.
For the time being, Williams will get to work on finding his bat at Triple-A. The former top prospect will serve as a near-term depth piece for the Phils, who’ll also hope he can reclaim some of his former promise. It’s certainly possible to imagine the team exploring trade options involving Williams this summer or in the coming offseason.
This Phillie team is hopeful for all the pieces to click at right time because the signings and trades are saying they want the window open now. Williams needed extra coaching loving so he could deliver on promised potential but instead, back to minors. Ouch?
Williams had plenty of chances and he just cannot hit major league pitching.
Williams will be a trade chip goes to Mariners for a vet. Hear it here first! He has potential, something just misses and he needs special bat whisper coach.
Nick Williams has gotten worse every year.
Williams days in philly are numbered imo
I look at Nick Williams as a throw-in piece to a mid-year deal.
I think Odubel Herrera is the next player to go.
If and when he’s outta the woods legally and with the league, Phils will clearly sell low on Herrera, and he’ll land somewhere like LAA, SEA, or CLE. The talent is there if he can get his mind right and establish some consistency, but it won’t be in PHI.
Pretty obvious there’s no role for him in Philly this year or next. Cutch and Bruce both under contract, and Williams can’t CF.
He’s shown flashes, and some rebuilding team would be wise to hand him 300 AB to see what happens.
I’d leave him at AAA indefinitely until he finds himself at the plate. He’ll either have to be recalled due to an injury on the ML roster, or include him in a deadline deal. Williams had his opportunities prior to this year, but he just hasn’t panned out for the Phillies who have moved on.
He’s already had two seasons of 300+ ABs in 2017 & 2018.
He’s not a rookie, and has had multiple 300+ AB seasons with the Phils. He cannot hit at the major league level.