Phillies get Ben Revere for Worley and May

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NASHVILLE – The Phillies finally have their centerfielder for 2013.

Just as the doors were closing at the winter meetings Thursday, the club acquired Ben Revere from the Minnesota Twins.

The Phillies, who had struck out on attempts to sign free-agent centerfielders B.J. Upton and Angel Pagan, paid a high price to fill their most glaring need as they will send pitchers Vance Worley and Trevor May to the Twins.

Worley, 25, is 18-13 in 53 big-league games, 46 of which have been starts. He finished third in National League rookie of the year voting in 2011. May, 23, entered 2012 as the Phillies’ top prospect, according to Baseball America. Though he struggled at Double A in 2012, he is still loaded with potential.

Worley, who had minor elbow surgery in September, was projected to be the Phillies’ fourth or fifth starter in 2013. Now the Phillies will likely have to look to sign a free agent or acquire another starter in a trade.

Phillies officials believe they had to pay the high price for Revere because they were desperate for a centerfielder. In fact, before the trade they did not have a proven everyday outfielder on their roster.

Revere, who turns 25 in May, satisfies the Phils’ need for a speedy defensive centerfielder, but he brings no pop to the lineup. He has no homers in 989 big-league at-bats over three seasons. In 2012, he hit .294 with 32 RBIs. He had a .333 on-base percentage, but just a .342 slugging percentage. He stole 40 bases and was caught nine times.

Shortly after the deal was announced, he tweeted: Heading to an good organization w/ the phillies can't wait to get started w/ them..!! God bless..!!

Revere, who stands 5-9 and weighs 170 pounds, was a first-round draft pick of the Twins in 2007. He bats lefthanded and throws righthanded. He played all three outfield positions in 2012, including 39 in centerfield.

The Phils could add some offense to their lineup if Michael Young accepts a proposed trade to be the Phils’ third baseman (see story). The Phils will likely continue to look to add a run-producing bat to their outfield. They tried to trade for Revere’s Minnesota teammate, Josh Willingham, but that possibility now seems unlikely as they have spent two big trade chips in Worley and May.

E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com