the most uncomfortable of situations. A second-round pick of the Texas Rangers in 2012 who's always been known more for his bat than his glove, he played all three outfield positions in the minors, but none of them particularly well. Ever since making his big league debut in June 2017, he'd been predominantly a right fielder. The Phillies already had a starting center fielder in Odubel Herrera, and this past December, they spent $50 million to make former Pirates star Andrew McCutchen their starting left fielder, thereby bumping Rhys Hoskins -- who manned the position last year -- back to his natural spot at first base. A few months later, when they hired Harper to patrol right field at Citizens Bank Park, suddenly Williams became redundant. Or afourth outfielder.

Potayto, potahto.

For what it's worth, Williams is no stranger to the business of baseball. In the summer of 2015, he knew full well that the Rangers were in dire need of left-handed pitching and that Cole Hamels -- one of the game's pre-eminent southpaws -- was on their short list. "I was worried about it," admits Williams, who at the time was one of the team's top prospects. "I didn't want to leave." But that's exactly what happened when he got traded to Philly as part of a blockbuster deadline deal that brought Hamels to Texas. A native of the Lone Star State, Williams thought he'd never get over being dumped by the club that drafted him -- the team he grew up watching.

"I just kind of