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Phillies’ everyday 1B job belongs to Joseph
- Updated: December 7, 2016
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Phillies are prepared to turn Tommy Joseph loose in 2017.
He hit .257 with 21 home runs, 47 RBIs and an .813 OPS in 347 plate appearances last season, sharing time at first base with Ryan Howard. But Howard will not be back, which had some folks wondering if the Phillies might find somebody to lighten Joseph’s load again next year.
“Right now, Tommy Joseph is our everyday first baseman,” Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said Tuesday at the Winter Meetings. “If that changes by virtue of an additional player acquisition, then we’ll adjust. But Tommy showed pretty well for himself all year long and we’re excited to see what he can do in a little more of a regular role this coming year.”
Phillies manager Pete Mackanin sounds comfortable with Joseph in an everyday role, too.
“Any player that comes up for the first time has to …
