Headlines

  • Mets, Yankees Among Teams To Show Recent Interest In David Robertson
  • Stuart Sternberg Has Agreed To Sell Rays To Patrick Zalupski, Deal Expected To Be Final By September
  • Nationals Select Eli Willits With First Pick Of 2025 Amateur Draft
  • 2025 MLB Draft, First Round Results
  • Red Sox Place Hunter Dobbins On 15-Day IL Due To ACL Tear
  • Astros Promote Brice Matthews
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Phillies Sign Drew Hutchison To Minor League Deal

By Steve Adams | February 15, 2018 at 8:39am CDT

The Phillies announced this morning that they’ve signed right-hander Drew Hutchison to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training.

Hutchison, 27, once looked like a potential long-term rotation cog for the Blue Jays. After missing the entire 2013 season due to Tommy John surgery, Hutchison returned in 2014 to make 32 starts in Toronto, pitching to a 4.48 ERA with more impressive 9.0 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, 3.85 FIP and 3.59 SIERA marks. That solid performance came at just 23 years of age.

However, Hutchison endured some significant struggles in an uneven 2015 season and finished out the year with an unsightly 5.57 ERA in 150 1/3 innings. While fielding-independent metrics felt there was some misfortune at play (he did sport a lofty .343 BABIP and an uncharacteristically low 64.5 percent strand rate), Hutchison saw his strikeout, swinging-strike and home run rates all trend in the wrong direction during that ugly 2015 season.

Hutchison appeared sparingly in the Majors in 2016 and was ultimately traded from Toronto to Pittsburgh in the Francisco Liriano salary dump. While Hutchison seemed a reasonable buy-low piece for the Pirates in that swap, though, he never received much of an opportunity in the Majors despite posting quality numbers in Triple-A. Over the past two seasons at that level, Hutchison has tossed 297 1/3 innings of 3.57 ERA ball with 7.9 K/9, 3.2 BB/9 and 0.9 HR/9.

With the Phillies, he’ll compete for a rotation spot behind staff leader Aaron Nola. Others in the rotation mix for the Phils include Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, Nick Pivetta, Ben Lively, Jake Thompson, Zach Eflin and Mark Leiter Jr. — each of whom saw some time in the Major Leagues last season. Eickhoff and Velasquez are probably penciled in for rotation spots, health permitting, though neither turned in an especially impressive showing in 2017.

Should Hutchison reestablish himself as a big league arm, the Phillies will have the added bonus of controlling him for up to three years via the arbitration process, as he’s currently sitting on three years, 165 days of Major League service time.

Share 0 Retweet 12 Send via email0

Philadelphia Phillies Transactions Drew Hutchison

Quick Hits: Peavy, Orioles, Healy, Dombrowski
Main
Mets Maintaining Interest In Jason Vargas
View Comments (41)
Post a Comment

41 Comments

  1. Phillies2017

    7 years ago

    High key love this. He was great in Indy last year while everybody was distracted by the contract.

    Reply
  2. Jbigz12

    7 years ago

    Orioles lost another guy they were interested in. We could use some rotation competition, he would’ve at least given us that. And it would’ve beeen cheap. Surprised we didn’t get him.

    Reply
    • mt in baltimore

      7 years ago

      Disappointing, but not surprising…

      Reply
  3. T_Rexx2

    7 years ago

    This was not the pitcher I was hoping for… lol

    2
    Reply
  4. Bowadoyle

    7 years ago

    Another small market move. Wish we could compete with the dodgers, Yankees and Red Sox. Instead we hang out with the marlins, orioles, and royals

    3
    Reply
    • tylerall5

      7 years ago

      Why spend when they know they aren’t competing. They already picked up Santana, and could possibly be gearing up for a big splash next year.

      2
      Reply
      • iverbure

        7 years ago

        It’s fascinating so called fans of baseball haven’t figured this out yet. Philly will be in on literally everyone next offseason but this guy will still complain and not understand how building a team in 2016 works.

        2
        Reply
        • Caseys.Partner

          7 years ago

          “Philly will be in on”

          The way Milwaukee and Minnesota were “in on” Yu Darvish?

          Let us know when __you__ figure it out.

          5
          Reply
        • Bowadoyle

          7 years ago

          I don’t like new age baseball financing where teams tank for years in the hopes of getting better. Don’t see the Yankees, Red Sox’s or Dodgers doing it.

          1
          Reply
    • koldjerky

      7 years ago

      Dodgers just re-signed Chase Utley and signed Mark Lowe
      Yankees signed Danny Espinosa, Jace Peterson, and Wade LeBlanc

      All teams make moves like this.

      1
      Reply
      • wrigleywannabe

        7 years ago

        quiet, they don’t like facts and sense.

        The Cubs signed multiple guys like this, too.

        1
        Reply
        • WubbaLubbaDubDub

          7 years ago

          Makes me wonder where these fans were after 08. Phil’s were some of the biggest spenders for next 4 years. Back then, it’s complaining about spending too much. Now, they want the front office to throw my net around at…whom? Who should we be bringing in from this off-season’s crop of free agents? Puh-leeeease.

          Reply
  5. DockEllisDee

    7 years ago

    very solid, subtle signing. The guy has some good tools and a lot left in the tank, still only 27

    1
    Reply
  6. pepesilvia

    7 years ago

    Not to be a buzzer kill or nothing but I don’t think minor league transactions should be posted on here. This is MLB trade rumors not minor league trade rumors. Who really cares this guy singed a contract other then his wife and kids. I mean what’s next reporting softball transactions lol.

    1
    Reply
    • T_Rexx2

      7 years ago

      I care.

      5
      Reply
    • Phillies2017

      7 years ago

      One thing to remember was that Brandon Morrow, Anthony Swarzak and Matt Albers were minor league contract signings last season
      Every year, a few of them work out quite well, which makes it worth knowing.

      6
      Reply
    • 66TheNumberOfTheBest

      7 years ago

      You do realize that he signed the contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, an MLB team, right?

      3
      Reply
      • Caseys.Partner

        7 years ago

        John Middleton built a castle for himself in Palm Beach. John Powers Middleton was living in a Hollywood Hills mansion when he was 25 years old. I’m constantly screamed at that this doesn’t matter at the same time the Phillies refuse to sign talent out of Cuba when their farm system is shot out.

        Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Cespedes, Aroldis Chapman, Yoan Moncada. The Phillies had a craving need for these players when they were available but John Middleton was building a castle in Palm Beach at the time that took years to construct after he bulldozed an eight million dollar mansion on the property that simply was not good enough for him.

        5
        Reply
        • PhanaticDuck26

          7 years ago

          does it matter though? the phils could win the world series and you would still be blaming John Middleton for something. find a new routine, could ya? this one is so played out.

          2
          Reply
        • pepesilvia

          7 years ago

          A lot of these guys live beyond their means. I read about Cole hamels being thrown out of his mansion and gave it to charity to make it look good. These things happen all the time. Money talks my friend.

          Reply
        • Cat Mando

          7 years ago

          raltongo……Before Middleton he whined for years (as free_aec) about Montgomery. He is a Phillies fan in the same way Larry Craig was anti gay

          1
          Reply
    • One Fan

      7 years ago

      @pepesilvia

      You do not understand 40 man rosters. To sign him to a major league contract someone needs to come of the 40 man roster and exposed to waivers most likely.

      Minor league deal is mlb news. He will be in major league spring training camp. If he does well the bought themselves 6 weeks to make a 40 man roster spot.

      People get hurt. Trades are made. A spot can open or if not they can add him then but have 6 weeks to decide who to release

      2
      Reply
      • pepesilvia

        7 years ago

        Your right I don’t care about the 40 man rooster considering only 25 people get on the team so no I do not care about them 15 other guys at all

        1
        Reply
        • wrigleywannabe

          7 years ago

          You and your rooster have no clue.

          2
          Reply
      • coach him

        7 years ago

        agreed. this isn’t a bad move at all. They just bought a cheap lotto ticket and hope to get lucky.

        Reply
    • O Conchobhair

      7 years ago

      Don’t read it then fool.

      Reply
    • bastros88

      7 years ago

      I very much care, and when an injury happens to a starter, and a guy like Hutchinson gets called up, you will also care

      1
      Reply
    • Bowadoyle

      7 years ago

      It’s because he was invited to spring training. He has good shot of making the team.

      Reply
    • wrigleywannabe

      7 years ago

      Feel free to start your own site and report only what you choose.

      You could not read it, as well.

      By the way, he was signed BY THE MAJOR LEAGUE ORGANIZATION, to a
      contract to play for their minor league team.

      1
      Reply
      • pepesilvia

        7 years ago

        I hate to say it but your clearly an idiot

        Reply
        • Monkey’s Uncle

          7 years ago

          If “you’re” going to call people idiots, don’t give them ammunition while you do it.

          2
          Reply
        • Cat Mando

          7 years ago

          I figured he was looking in a mirror when he said that.

          1
          Reply
  7. 66TheNumberOfTheBest

    7 years ago

    The backlash against Hutchison and the Pirates after the trade was such that he never got a real chance. He was a punch line. It didn’t matter whether he pitched well or not.

    Even this morning, the sports radio updates mentioned him signing this minor league deal. Rest assured, they don’t typically report on other team’s minor league signings in the 30 second updates, but again…punch line.

    Now, FTR, I think he’s probably right on the border of AAAA/mediocre #5 but he put good numbers in Indy and should get a shot to find out.

    2
    Reply
  8. suddendepth

    7 years ago

    I’ll take it. It’s another insurance plan in case the young arms decide not to show up again this season. A better plan is one of the big arms still left out there, but we know where this organization stands in terms of long term pitching risk. I can’t disagree with that philosophy considering the options out there right now. We are all praying that one or more of the cast of young arms listed above decides they want to be a boss this season and gets the job done.

    Reply
  9. Leemitt

    7 years ago

    Really, really hope Pivetta, Thompson, and/or Eflin can take a big step forward this year. Hutchinson and Leiter in long relief might be okay if they don’t have to take on the #5 spot.

    1
    Reply
  10. acquaformosa

    7 years ago

    I suppose he never got a “real chance”, but I also recall he had a miserable spring training and the Pirates always had fairly decent pitching depth to begin with. So he seemingly validated that he was AAA depth at best. Perhaps a decent enough low-risk flyer.

    Keep on thing in mind about the “punch line” though:
    It wasn’t just Francisco Liriano that was traded for Hutchinson. The Pirates also had to toss in two decent prospects (Reese McGuire – catcher, Harold Ramirez – OF) just to get the Blue Jays to take the salary… plus Liriano of course… plus two prospects. So nobody greeted Hutchinson with open arms and the poor guy was doomed from the start for the sort of “trade” that wasn’t supposed to happen anymore for the Pirates.

    Here’s an interesting piece that revisits the backstory a little bit.
    piratesbreakdown.com/2017/09/19/pittsburgh-pirates…

    Reply
  11. jimmertee

    7 years ago

    This is a great low risk signing by the Phils. I watched Hutch for years in TO. It was clear he came back too fast from Tommy John and in the short term he had one great year for the Jays but it clobbered his arm for the longterm. I hope he can get it back. If healthy and having his control, Hutch can be a solid #3 starter. In the “wounded” and lack of control form of the past few years he isn’t even a good reliever at the MLB level. #Scoutseyes

    2
    Reply
    • brucewayne

      7 years ago

      #BULLSHITEYES

      1
      Reply
    • Glydog

      7 years ago

      32 starts, 184 innings 1st yr back after TJ. Any recent studies on post TJ results and correlation with workload?

      Reply
  12. jimmertee

    7 years ago

    MLBTR, my suggestion would be to please keep posting up minor league news as long as they are past major leaguers, high end prospects or have been or could be potentially connected to a major league level club in the current year.

    We don’t need to hear about Jon Smith, AA shortstop who stubbed his toe, had a bad year, got cut my the Marlins organziation and now has just signed with the Padres.

    MLBTR, thank you and keep up the good work.

    1
    Reply
  13. Donnie B

    7 years ago

    This is simply a “depth” move. We have enough #5 starters to start another whole rotation.
    1a: Nola / Eickhoff / Velasquez / Pivetta / Lively
    2a: Thompson / Eflin / Hutchinson / Leiter / Eshelman

    AAA: Tavaras / Anderson / De Los Santos / Pinto / Leibrandt

    I love the bullpen additions, but the Santana signing means nothing without getting another starter or two, and not the possible 5th starter type, we need someone before or after Nola, or both.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

  • Top Stories
  • Recent

Mets, Yankees Among Teams To Show Recent Interest In David Robertson

Stuart Sternberg Has Agreed To Sell Rays To Patrick Zalupski, Deal Expected To Be Final By September

Nationals Select Eli Willits With First Pick Of 2025 Amateur Draft

2025 MLB Draft, First Round Results

Red Sox Place Hunter Dobbins On 15-Day IL Due To ACL Tear

Astros Promote Brice Matthews

Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers

Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help

Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays

Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu

Trevor Williams To Undergo UCL Surgery

Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Bobby Jenks Passes Away

Braves Release Alex Verdugo

Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

Trade Deadline Outlook: Milwaukee Brewers

Trade Deadline Outlook: St. Louis Cardinals

Trade Deadline Outlook: Cincinnati Reds

Trade Candidate: Charlie Morton

Shintaro Fujinami Signs With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars

Manfred On Twins Sale, Media Rights, Potential For Bay Area Expansion

Manfred: Longer Break In 2028 For All-Star Game And Olympics Is Possible

Rays To Play Home Games At Steinbrenner Field Throughout Playoffs

MLBTR Chat Transcript

Guardians Place Paul Sewald On Injured List

MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

Latest Rumors & News

Latest Rumors & News

  • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
  • Luis Robert Rumors
  • Alex Bregman Rumors

 

Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

MLBTR Features

MLBTR Features

  • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
  • Front Office Originals
  • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
  • MLBTR Podcast
  • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
  • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
  • Contract Tracker
  • Transaction Tracker
  • Extension Tracker
  • Agency Database
  • MLBTR On Twitter
  • MLBTR On Facebook
  • Team Facebook Pages
  • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

Rumors By Team

  • Angels Rumors
  • Astros Rumors
  • Athletics Rumors
  • Blue Jays Rumors
  • Braves Rumors
  • Brewers Rumors
  • Cardinals Rumors
  • Cubs Rumors
  • Diamondbacks Rumors
  • Dodgers Rumors
  • Giants Rumors
  • Guardians Rumors
  • Mariners Rumors
  • Marlins Rumors
  • Mets Rumors
  • Nationals Rumors
  • Orioles Rumors
  • Padres Rumors
  • Phillies Rumors
  • Pirates Rumors
  • Rangers Rumors
  • Rays Rumors
  • Red Sox Rumors
  • Reds Rumors
  • Rockies Rumors
  • Royals Rumors
  • Tigers Rumors
  • Twins Rumors
  • White Sox Rumors
  • Yankees Rumors

Navigation

  • Sitemap
  • Archives
  • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

MLBTR INFO

  • Advertise
  • About
  • Commenting Policy
  • Privacy Policy

Connect

  • Contact Us
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top

Register

Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version