Categories: News

Phillies sign Daniel Nava to minor league contract

Photo by Minda Haas Kuhlmann

The Phillies made another move late Friday night, signing outfielder and first baseman Daniel Nava to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.

Nava, whose first career plate appearance was a grand slam at Fenway Park against Joe Blanton and the Phillies (I was there …), had a breakout 2013 with a .303/.385/.445 line, plus 43 extra-base hits for the world champion Red Sox. Since, he hasn’t been so hot, putting up poor numbers for a variety of American League teams.

In 2016 he split time between Kansas City and the Angels, hitting .223/.297/.292 with one home run and 13 RBI.

Nava would likely compete for an outfield bench job in spring training. Figuring the current outfield includes Odubel Herrera, Roman Quinn and Howie Kendrick, the bench competition would include Nava, Aaron Altherr, Tyler Goeddel and Nick Williams. Expect another depth addition to join the competition unless the Phils grab a more obvious starter in the corners.

Tim Malcolm

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.