The Philadelphia Phillies are motivated to trade Ryan Howard for a reason that has nothing to do with his career-low .690 OPS in 2014, major-league-leading 190 strikeouts or onerous contract.
Maikel Franco could be ready to take his job.
The Phillies would like to evaluate Darin Ruf at first base, too, but the truth is that Ruf may not be the team’s most intriguing right-handed option for the position. At 22, Franco is six years younger than Ruf. And Franco is in the midst of an impressive stint in the Dominican Winter League; he posted an .805 OPS during the 38-game regular season and has been even better in the playoffs.
It’s noteworthy that Franco has played first base for Gigantes del Cibao during the DWL playoffs. Most of Franco’s minor-league experience has been at third base, but the Phillies already have given 24-year-old Cody Asche the opportunity to play there every day in the majors.
If the Phillies remain committed to Asche at third base — as appears to be the case — their decision at first could be between Franco and Ruf, not Howard and Ruf. It would be counterproductive to block Franco or Ruf with Howard, who clearly is not part of the Phillies’ future plans.
Other updates from winter ball:
* Two-time Cy Young winner Johan Santana isn’t necessarily done pitching in the current Venezuelan Winter League season.
Santana, 35, has been diagnosed with shoulder fatigue — but no structural damage — after missing a playoff start for Magallanes, according to his agent, Peter Greenberg. The left-hander could pitch in the next round, depending on what’s decided during a meeting with Magallanes team officials Monday, according to Greenberg.
One way or the other, Greenberg said he expects Santana will be ready for spring training with a Major League Baseball franchise. Santana, a free agent, is trying to come back to the big leagues, where he last pitched with the New York Mets in 2012. The Toronto Blue Jays are among the teams interested in signing him.
* Freddy Garcia — the only Venezuelan-born pitcher with more MLB wins than Santana — wants to continue his career, too.
Garcia, 38, is pitching for Tigres de Aragua and threw two shutout innings in a playoff game Wednesday. Garcia starred in Taiwan’s top baseball league in 2014. Greenberg, who also represents Garcia, said Garcia is looking for a contract to pitch in Japan for 2015.
Garcia continues to resemble a late-career Greg Maddux; in 12-1/3 innings during the VWL regular season, he struck out six — and walked only two — with a 1.46 ERA.
* Finally, former New York Mets workhorse Pedro Feliciano is still pitching. The lefty reliever has performed well for Santurce in Puerto Rico this winter, permitting only a .174 opponents’ batting average over 19 regular-season appearances. Feliciano, 38, had a scoreless outing in a postseason game Wednesday night, too.
A free agent, Feliciano would be a good option for an MLB team to have in spring camp on a minor-league contract. He led the majors in appearances for three straight years, from 2008 through 2010.
