Phillies trade Freddy Galvis to Padres

The Phillies have finalized a trade with the Padres, sending shortstop Freddy Galvis to San Diego for pitching prospect Enyel De Los Santos.

Galvis, who recently turned 28, has been an expected trade chip for the Phillies as they look to slide J.P. Crawford, the team’s top prospect, into the shortstop position for the foreseeable future.

Having played in over 150 games in each of the past three seasons, including all 162 games in 2017, Galvis has proven to be a durable defensive-minded shortstop with decent speed. He smacked 20 home runs in 2016, but finished 2017 with just 12 home runs, though his OPS did increase from .673 to .690.

After calling up Crawford for the final month of the regular season, the Phillies clearly feel prepared to keep their 2013 first round pick at the major league level for the 2018 season, making Galvis an expendable trade chip.

De Los Santos, who turns 22 this Christmas, pitched to a 3.78 ERA in 24 starts for Double-A San Antonio last season. He is a 6’3’’ righty with a solid fastball, but is working to improve his secondary pitches. He will likely start the season in Triple-A and try to improve his off-speed pitches, and may wind up in a relief role if that fails.

Galvis will take the shortstop role from Yangervis Solarte, who can move to second base, but the Padres still have to figure out some things with their infield, including whether they will hold on to Chase Headley or look to move him.