The Phillies have signed third baseman Josh Fields to a minor-league deal, according to Matt Gelb of philly.com.
A former first-round draft pick, Fields came up through the White Sox organization. Fields had an opportunity to win the third base job with the White Sox in 2007 after Joe Crede was injured. Fields hit .244/.308/.480, slugging 23 home runs in just 418 plate appearances. Crede returned the following season, and Fields was sent to Triple-A. After hitting just .246/.341/.431 in Triple-A, Fields was never given another opportunity at a starting role with the team. He was traded to the Royals prior to the 2010 season.
The 29-year-old Fields spent the entire 2012 season with the Dodgers’ Triple-A club in Albuquerque. In 796 career plate appearance in the majors, Fields has hit .234/.392/.486. The Phillies have an opening at third base next year, and Fields likely will have a chance to compete for a role on the team if they don’t sign any more established options this offseason.
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