Williams Adjusting To Changes in Phillies Outfield

Williams adjusting to changes in Phillies outfield
A CHANGE IS going to come for Nick Williams, but the Galveston native and Philadelphia Phillies
outfielder is taking everything in stride as the regular season draws near.
The Phillies added former National League Most Valuable Player Andrew McCutchen before
signing Bryce Harper to a blockbuster 13-year, $330 million deal last week. With Odubel
Herrera and Roman Quinn set to platoon in center, Williams will be the odd man out when it
comes to playing time this season.
“We got (Harper) to make the team better,” Williams told Philly.com. “He’s an All-Star. He’s an
unbelievable talent. It’s not something I can control, so it’s not something I’m really right now
worried about.”
The 25-year-old Williams hit .256 with 17 homers last season but is all but certain to fall well
short of the 447 plate appearances he garnered in 2018. Phillies manager Gabe Kapler is
considering Williams as a potential weapon off the bench, as Williams did hit .357 (10-for-28)
with three homers as a pinch hitter last year.
At the same time, Williams is also aware that he could be moved. Being traded is nothing new
for Williams, who was acquired from the Texas Rangers in a 2015 trade deadline deal that gave
the Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels.
“If that happens, it does,” said Williams. “It’s not something I’m thinking about right now
because I’m trying to play for this group of guys in the locker room. But if it happens, there’s no
hard feelings. It’s a business.”
The Phillies have neither the Astros nor Rangers on their regular season schedule, denying local
fans a chance to see the former Ball High standout playing in his home state this season.