Every team needs depth to paper over its flaws and withstand the treacherous trek from opening day to October. Slumps, injuries, exhaustion, and defensive weaknesses all threaten to derail an otherwise competitive season. That’s why the Phillies traded for CJ Chatham in the offseason. They lack prospects in the high minors who could stanch a wound to its infield.
Chatham approaches the 2021 season as the second in line should a hole open up. After Scott Kingery the Phillies have no one else they would immediately trust to handle the demands of MLB on at least one side of the ball.