It’s been a quiet offseason in Philadelphia to this point — well, as quiet as is possible for a team that doled out a $172MM contract. The Phils struck early and decisively to keep longtime rotation anchor Aaron Nola on a new seven-year deal worth that sum, but it’s been largely silent since that time. Philadelphia made an offer to Yoshinobu Yamamoto before he signed with the Dodgers, and the team is also said to have interest in extending Zack Wheeler before he reaches free agency next winter.
Other than that, there’s been borderline silence out of Philadelphia. Even in terms of minor league free agency, the Phils have added hard-throwing righty Jose Ruiz and… that’s it. There’s obviously a good bit of offseason left to unfold, but for a team coming off consecutive NLCS berths and with clear World Series aspirations, it’s been a bit surprising. Their only signings beyond Nola and Ruiz have been low-cost deals to avoid arbitration with backup outfielder/first baseman Jake Cave ($1MM), swingman Dylan Covey ($850K) and backup catcher Garrett Stubbs ($850K).
That said, it’s clear that the Phillies aren’t yet finished with their offseason dealings. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said as much last week, telling Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer that his team is “not just satisfied” and is still working to improve. Where could the Phillies search for upgrades in an unusually quiet offseason by their standards? Let’s take a look:
Bullpen upgrades
The Phils have a need in the ’pen after seeing Craig Kimbrel depart and piecing together much of the relief corps via minor league free agency a year ago. Dombrowski’s low-cost pickup of Jeff Hoffman proved to be a masterstroke, but bullpen-mate Andrew Bellatti’s dismal 2023 campaign illustrates the perils of simply assuming that a breakout performance from a minor league free-agent pickup in the ’pen will carry over to the following season. Hoffman was genuinely dominant for the Phils, but his track record is limited.
Rob Thomson’s bullpen figures to be anchored by Jose Alvarado, Seranthony Dominguez, Hoffman, Matt Strahm and Gregory Soto. Bellatti is still on hand, and the aforementioned Covey can provide long relief and serve as a spot starter. Dombrowski spoke highly of rookie Orion Kerkering when chatting with Lauber and even noted that he’s turned down trade offers for the promising 22-year-old.
The Inquirer’s Alex Coffey reported in December that making some kind of bullpen addition is in the Phillies’ plans. Jayson Stark of The Athletic suggested not long before that report that the Phils aren’t likely to pursue a pure closer, so don’t expect a Josh Hader splash at Citizens Bank Park. If the Phils are comfortable making a long-term move, they could look to righties Jordan Hicks or Robert Stephenson. But Dombrowski has erred toward short-term additions in recent offseasons, signing Matt Strahm (two years, $15MM), Kimbrel (one year, $10MM) and Corey Knebel (one year, $10MM). If he follows a similar path, names like Aroldis Chapman, Ryne Stanek and old friends Hector Neris and Michael Fulmer could be in play.
Right-handed outfielder
Stark wrote back in November that the Phillies were planning to add a right-handed-hitting outfielder to their corner outfield mix. That new addition could serve as a platoonmate for Brandon Marsh in left field or perhaps handle left field on a full-time basis if Marsh were to slide into a timeshare with Johan Rojas in center field. A handful of notable names have come off the board, including Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Hunter Renfroe and most recently Teoscar Hernandez. However, the Phils never seemed likely to play at the Gurriel/Hernandez level anyhow, given the presence of Marsh, Rojas, Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber.
There’s no shortage of free agents who could fill a part-time corner role. Candidates for that type of job include Enrique Hernandez, Tommy Pham, Randal Grichuk and switch-hitters Aaron Hicks, and Robbie Grossman. If the Phils are content to push Marsh and Rojas into a platoon to open the season, they could look to Adam Duvall or versatile Whit Merrifield to hold down a more regular role in left.
The bench, in general
A more speculative need here, but the Philadelphia bench doesn’t look like that of a repeat NLCS club with World Series aspirations. Stubbs hit .204/.274/.283 in 125 plate appearances last year — the polar opposite of a .264/.350/.462 slash he posted in a near-identical sample the preceding season. Cave hit just .212/.272/.348. Both have already been signed to the cheap 2024 deals I referenced earlier, but Stubbs has an option remaining and Cave would surely clear waivers and could be stashed in Triple-A as depth, should the Phils make a more substantial addition.
Pache and Edmundo Sosa represent a pair of strong defensive options for the outfield and infield, respectively, but neither has much of a bat (Pache’s solid 2023 showing in a tiny sample of 95 plate appearances notwithstanding). There’s some versatility here, with Pache being a plus defender at any outfield slot and Sosa capable at any of shortstop, second base and third base. But this is a weak group in terms of offensive potential, and a long-term injury to a regular would further expose that reality.
One possible scenario that could alter this mix would be to sign a full-time third baseman and push Alec Bohm into a reserve role. While the 27-year-old former No. 3 overall pick popped 20 home runs and finished third on the club with 97 runs plated, there’s some reason to be skeptical of his ability to continue that level of run production. Bohm has excellent bat-to-ball skills and roughly average power, but the overwhelming bulk of his damage was done against lefties. He torched southpaws at a .303/.335/.594 clip (142 wRC+) but was effectively a singles hitter against righties (.263/.324/.377, 92 wRC+). His career splits paint a similar picture: .314/.362/.530 against lefties but .262/.311/.358 against righties.
If Bohm were a plus or even average defender, that offensive profile would carry him just fine. However, Bohm has been dinged for -46 Defensive Runs Saved and -11 Outs Above Average at third base in his career. He might be a better fit at first base, but that belongs to Bryce Harper now.
Bohm clearly has a big league-caliber bat, but it’s easy to argue that he’s best deployed in a more limited role, given the shaky glove and punchless output against right-handed opposition. He’s only in his first year of arbitration and projected to earn $4.4MM (hat tip to MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz), so he’s plenty affordable in that role. But as he inches through arbitration, the price could begin to outpace his value if he racks up counting stats in an everyday role and doesn’t make substantive gains against right-handed pitching.
The Bohm scenario, to reiterate, is speculative in nature and not something to which Dombrowski has publicly alluded. But the third base market has names like Justin Turner, Matt Chapman and Gio Urshela in free agency, while there are several teams (Reds, Twins, Cardinals, Orioles) who have some infield surpluses that could present trade possibilities. There’s no glaring hole in the lineup here — as one might expect from a back-to-back LCS participant — but a more specialized role for Bohm could improve the roster in multiple ways. Alternatively, the Phils could add a third baseman and see if Bohm could fill that right-handed-hitting void in left field. The defense might not be pretty, but that’s already true as it is at third base.
Rotation depth
One current hangup, at least as pertains to Dombrowski’s quest to add more rotation depth, is that free agents look at the Phillies’ roster and don’t see an opportunity for a guaranteed rotation spot with Nola, Wheeler, Ranger Suarez, Taijuan Walker and Cristopher Sanchez all locked in. Dombrowski noted to Lauber that he’s hopeful of eventually adding some veteran arms who’ll be willing to start the year in Triple-A and serve as rotation depth, but most pitchers of that ilk are still hoping for concrete spots with other teams who have more acute rotation needs.
The Phillies could very arguably benefit from signing an established veteran to a short-term (possibly one-year) pact and plugging him into the fifth spot in the rotation. However, Sanchez is out of minor league options, so he can’t simply be sent down to the minors. And, after he impressed with a 3.44 ERA, 24.2% strikeout rate and pristine 4% walk rate in 99 1/3 innings last year, he’s certainly earned a look. Dombrowski said as much earlier in the winter, noting in an appearance on MLB Network that if the club succeeded in re-signing Nola, the rotation would be “set” — largely because of a desire to take a full-season look at Sanchez after that impressive 2023 showing. That didn’t stop the Phillies from making an offer to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but he was viewed as something of an exception, given his age and upside.
The free-agent market should feature several recognizable names who’ll end up signing non-guaranteed deals. Predicting exactly who’ll be squeezed out of a big league deal requires some degree of guesswork, but rebound candidates like Johnny Cueto, Zach Davies, Jake Odorizzi, Brad Keller and Yonny Chirinos come to mind as plausible possibilities.
They could use a closer, but I don’t see them splurging on Hader.
Me neither. Jordan Hicks and sign Stanek and Neris.
I like it.
I def see them splurging on Hader. Agreed they should not tho.
Hader doesn’t fit team philosophy at ALL.
Broods when he pitches in non save sits.
Doesn’t work more than an inning
Doesn’t like to come in before 9th
Bristles at consecutive days pitched
Guy has top 3-4 talent, but @20mil and his personal restrictions, pass.
To be fair to Hader, I think he was protecting himself for free agency. Once he gets the big contract, I’m sure he’ll pitch in any situation his team wants him to. He was eliminated from postseason contention and being asked to pitch extra innings in a walk year. I don’t necessarily agree with it, but I understand his side. I don’t think that’s something that will continue after he gets paid. He was protecting himself for a big payday.
VPH, you say think and I’m sure……
While I do share some of that thought process, until that comes out, not that he needs to impress us, I have to hold the line.
Now of course any convo w/ teams and agents will address that topic. And tbh what comes out in the press goes through the lens of sunglasses. And maybe it was blown out of proportion. However ” ‘dats all we got”. And I have to go on that. And 20$ for a closer? I’d rather spend Middleton’s money elsewhere.
Haha. Poor turn of phrase by me. I’m with you in the not overpaying for a closer camp.
Nit unless they trade Nick Castellanos to my jays but they would have to send 10-15 M with it. He would make the power hitting LHP clobbering DH we could use, that would allow you to sign Hader and get a few ticket type prospects back or maybe Zulu,
That would allow them to sign hader and get a couple lotto ticket prospects back or Zulu the starter/RP the jays have in Buffalo. Jays have out of option Otto Lopez who is IMO a great Util guy ays every where but C and SS well stole 15 bases before the bases got bigger and makes contact. Dont get me wrong hes likly never going to be a everyday starter on a good contender but hes the perfect insurance option
Hey Murph, they have no one to replace his 30hr 100rbi.
Look what happened losing Hoskins production w/o a viable back-up? They trotted out Hall, Clemens, Ellis and Bohm (for like 50g) until Harper came back. And when Bohm played 1st, Sosa played 3rd and was exposed as a MLB hitter.
Castellanos is what he is as far as streakiness, but his bat can’t be replaced at this juncture.
Would you trade Castellanos straight up for the Mets Starling Marte? The guys make similar money. The difference is that Marte is a couple years older and more of a contact hitter — as opposed to the streaky, power first Casty.
Not a chance. Marte is an injured mess.
Could use ? Tell me honestly who you feel safe closing out. Unproven Hoffman? Alvarado? You are kidding. Soto ? Help me Jesus!! The kid kerky??????? This team must find a stopper. Case closed.
Their bullpen was one of the better ones last year, and they have most of those guys returning. Alvarado, Dominguez, Kerkering, Soto are all potential closers. They don’t have a set 9th inning guy, but they have tons of guys who could do it any given night. I’d absolutely love a Hader, but that’s a luxury.
The Phillies and Bryce Harper must find the lawyer that set up the deal that Tom Brady used when he sold his soul to Satan to win all the championships because paying off the crooked umps just isn’t enough to get all the way to the World series and win it. If you want to win you got to go big like the Dodgers do.
the dodgers are not a postseason team. they are just the next padres or mets. spend a bunch and not get the results they should. way 2 many superstars to be successful
DD seems to be waiting to poach some value late in free agency. Can’t say I blame him, but it’s been a torturous offseason as a Phillies fan.
I like when they make moves but outside of maybe 6-10 guys that would me nice haves but not real needs, I see them grabbing some pieces this month.
Absolutely torturous for us in Philly. Plus, we’ve had to watch the Braves make one move after another.
would you be happy if they added matt chapman? i think he could fall to a 2/40-45 deal, and i think he would be the best position player fit in philly if they could stuff him onto the payroll
Still waiting for the twins to get started as well. By the time they get off their butts to sign someone there will be nobody left:)
Same problem that CLE claims to have – no TV deal in place yet, although I think the Guardians’ front office is using that as a convenient excuse to spend nothing.
When your major source of income dries up, you don’t have a choice but to be fiscally responsible. Its not an excuse. Its a fact.
a deep playoff run, which is possible if aided by spending money this offseason, would also be another major source of income, as well as proving to networks that they are in fact a profitable tv contract to keep, which bally did not think so prior to the season but kept the deals with a handful of teams they believed would be profitable.
Wow, if the Phillies are truly out on Hader, it seems his market may be narrowed to the point where he won’t make $102MM. I thought for sure there would be plenty of competition for Hader’s services even at that price, but too many teams seem to be out on him (at least until his price or years comes down).
PHI doesn’t have a dire need for a closer, and I actually think their current situation is better than bringing Kimbrel back. Hader’s market is murky, and he could land in PHI, but something tells me TEX is laying in the weeds and are his most likely destination.
Texas has a TV deal problem, too. Hader not happening.
Lol ridiculously ridiculous comment.
Paying premium for a closer is pretty silly, especially for a team that has a decent bullpen, but damn…Hader would be nice. Still, better spend that elsewhere.
A team with with world series ambitions,the highest payroll in Baseball,who saw it all fall apart when their atrocious “closer” was a main contributing factor to not only a blown shot to the series, but a 100 win season,shouldn’t think it’s silly. Hader isn’t to expensive for the philles. Hader is exactly what this philles bullpen needs to win a series.
Well you are Team Hader for sure.
As for payroll, I think they came in 4th or 5th? And the offense going into hibernation was the major cause. Kimbrel was cooked and should not have been used. Sure that comes down to a “well who else” convo, so I get it.
Kimbrel pitched in the most games since his 1st couple years in the league and the most innings since 2017. To dump on, he also faded big time in 2022. Am no Kimbrel apologist, just stating facts. Topper went to that well a few too many times…..
Phillies never had the highest payroll in baseball, and while Kimbrel blew games, the real story of those losses was the lack of Phillies offense.
Sorry you are wrong about payroll and even more wrong about the cause of philles losses.
There really hasnt been a big money deal for a closer recently that has even halfway worked out imo. But if youre planning on contending the next two or three years its definitely better than spending the same amt on weaksauce utility players that havent hit in two years.
Clip, Hader has niche type pitching requests on his availability / usage. Plus @20mill for a guy who’ll pitch maybe 65 innings and his rules, has to be a hard pass.
@Clip, how about Hader, Snell and Stroman for the team in the Bronx? Just to annoy everyone? 🙂
Not serious. There was a time, however, when Hader would have been a target, but they’ve developed a system of being able to build cheaper but effective pens since they signed Chapman seven years back. It wouldn’t surprise me if they signed two of the remaining starters.
Slow day… yawn.
They could get that right-handed of’er from the Rays, who are looking to move Harold Ramirez. Granted, he’s more of a DH, but technically, he’s a left-fielder.
Thought I read he played like 15 games in the OF and 5 at first and the results were subpar?
After trotting Schwarber out there for @100 games, then seeing Marsh in LF, the night n day quip doesn’t come close…..
Wheeler is more important than anything else going on. ‘
Leave Bohm alone- DEFINITELY not wanting him in LF. Bohm may play some 1B/DH as a righty bat anyway. If Dave D can’t find a more natural RH OF , we have bigger issues.
That’s what I’m saying…he improved so much this past season…and to say a .262 average against righties should change anything when it’s probably also above league average
Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with Bohm playing everyday. I think his development defensively has been hindered by going back & forth between third & first. Let him play third & work on his defense there. His offense is fine. There are a few teams that would love to have his production at third base.
But no one would/should want Bohm playing third base everyday. He just can’t field the position. And he hasn’t exactly killed with OPS or power. He is 27 yo, and at this point I think it likely that what we see is what we’re going to get going forward – that is, not much improvement defensively or offensively. They should move him while they still can, get some value in return, and find an actual third baseman who won’t make everyone hold their breath every time he fields a grounder. is Edmundo Sosa worth a shot?
Bohm is the Phillies best clutch hitter. He is a good rh bat, that the Phillies would greatly miss if he wasn’t in the lineup everyday. Either you don’t watch the games, or you aren’t able to ” evaluate” what you see. Bohm has improved quite a bit defensively. He is an average fielding 3rd baseman at this point if his career, and will probably get a little better. D D is fully aware of this!!
I don’t agree with your evaluation of Bohm. He has improved his fieding a lot and his bat is consistent. Chapman has is a great fielder but his an awful hitter. You have Bohm for 4 million instead of Chapman for 15 to 20.
That must be it, I don’t watch the games. Let’s see how much Bohm “improved” at third base in 2023: defensive runs saved above average: -10 (yes, minus 10); Rdrs/yr: -17 (career, -18); You might “evaluate” that as a technical improvement, but come on, it isn’t close to good.
Sign Kike Hernandez and Adam Duvall that gives some diversity in the field of a true utility man in Hernandez that could rotate with Rojas, Marsh and Duvall in the left and center mix. Shame if it is, if Hoskins could play left, which he should be able to but didn’t very well years ago, he’s a nice bat to have in the lineup a lot of walks, 30 hr guy and 80-100 rbi. But it seems he will be elsewhere this spring.
Bullpen could use Hicks, stanek and Neris. The latter two on 1 or 2 yr deals.
I like Christopher Sanchez as a 6th starter and long man out of the pen. I’d actually make Stroman an offer. Signing him keeps the rotation on top if Wheeler walks next yr and by that time hopefully painter is healthy any ready to pitch at the MLB level. I would even offer Bauer a one yr incentive loaded deal. Phillies signed worse guys that were actually guilty. I would not mess with Bohm at 3rd. If you have Hernandez as a utility, he can spell Bohm a bit and Sosa a switch hitter plays a nice 3b and can also give Bohm a break against a tough righty.
You actually want Kike on your team? He’s not the defender he was and has been above average hitter 3/9 seasons. -.1 WAR last year. You might as well get someone who’s good at something
Last playoffs they had soda and that was it. They need another utility guy. If it’s him fine. If it’s Weston wilson fine but, no bats at all off the bench killed them in game 7 bottom of the 4th with Rojas up.
*sosa not soda. Might as well had soda though.
I’d be more worried about Walker than I would Sanchez. Walker was dreadful the second half of last season. Sanchez is fine as a fifth starter. Why sign Kike when you already have Sosa & Wilson? Wilson can play all the positions Kike does and has way more offensive upside. Kike only seems to hit in Dodger Blue.
For 72 mil you gotta have Walker perform and be your #5.
Sanchez will still see 15-20 starts.
@libertybell
The moment you bring up Bauer, your post becomes Fantasy Baseball. Not happenning.
Not really. Someone will grab him and make it work. He still can throw.
I like Duval, or Whit Merrifield for left field. Marsh moves back to center, and Rojas plays another year in aaa.
Hoping Os can resign Aaron Hicks. Came up huge when Mullins went to IL and showed up in post season too. If not gonna happen, have at him Philly.
Sosa isn’t a switch hitter
Sorry don’t revoke my mlb trade rumors card boss.
Devin Williams would look nice closing games in Philly, make your best offer to us Dombrowski!
Painter for Dwill if DD is feeling itchy.
Got a little hate when I complained about the bench a couple weeks ago, but still Cave, Sosa, Pache and Stubbs? It’s OK to have 1 or 2 of them but as a unit, that’s a bad one.
Not saying I need to see more of Clemens, Hall or Castro (let him get some aaa and see if he’s worth it). But what was with the Weston Wilson stifling, he’s shown power speed ability to take a walk and positional versatility? As for Marchan, he’s never cleared a 100g in the minors anyway and he’s 24. Give him a shot at Stubbs expense, which could allow JT a few games at DH/1b.
Last year Schwarber, Castellanos, Turner, Stott and Bohm (145) all played over 150g. That’s a lot of health right there. Sosa was exposed as a regular and Cave/Clemens, while nice stories, didn’t do much.
Not sure what a great fit would be, but trotting out the same four as they ended the season with is weak.
And to finish, Muzziotti, he’s 24 as well? For those who say but Cave hits LH, so does Simon….?
Simon shows promise as a contact hitter, but zero power or XBH ability. It’s as if you played Larry Bowa in LF. RBI bats are essential and intriguing as the young Venezuelan might be, there is a reason Rojas and Pache outpaced him in DD’s evaluations.
That’s kinda my point CT, he’s 24. We know what Cave is, a 31yr old quad A hitter. They don’t know what Muzziotti is at the MLB level.
Have no problem w/ Rojas/Pache being elevated over him. Just hoping they can do better than Cave, but he was re-upped at a million so IDK. And honestly don’t mind Cave as an individual, but my issue is if they run back the same bench 4 as the end of last year.
You never should have taken heat for carping about the Phillies bench in 2023. It was pathetic. Overall grade of D, at best.
The Phils need an additional starter, a closer, and a right-handed slugger if they are going to compete against the likes of the Dodgers and Braves in 2024. Here’s what they need to do to get competitive: 1) Trade Schwarber to the Guardians for starter Bieber and closer Clase. 2) Trade a starter to the Red Sox for outfielder Yoshida or resign Hoskins to play first base and return Harper to the outfield. 3) Use a rotating DH with Harper, Realmuto, Castellanos, Turner, and Bohm. 4) Get Sosa a lot more playing time.
Other than sentimentality, there is no reason to bring Hoskins back. They have enough people to rotate through DH, and Hoskins has proven, time and again, that he simply can’t field – hell, he can’t even reliably catch balls thrown directly at his chest. And if the Phils are going to keep playing Bohm at third…well, their pitchers had better learn how to strike out everybody.
Bohm is so much better defensively than you believe him to be. Fortunately, both Thomson, and D D, know this!!
gomez, Hoskins is going to return with a vengeance and greatly help whoever signs him. He’s not a great defensive first baseman but he’s serviceable. He’s only one option for the Phils. The Red Sox have Yoshida on the trade block, and although he’s not a defensive stalwart, he’d fit in perfectly with the Phils outfield. Yoshida may be one of the best possible acquisitions any team could make this offseason. If the Phils did trade Schwarber, JD Martinez would be a solid replacement. Schwarber is very popular and he can hit the ball a mile, but a .197 hitter with 215 strikeouts a year as your DH and leadoff hitter is a luxury the Phils can’t afford if they’re going to win a world series anytime soon.
Since DD took over, whenever they wanted a free agent, they went out and got them. If they wanted Hader, we would’ve heard more rumblings about it and/or he would be signed right now.
As I said in another post a few days ago. Hader is likely holding up the market because guys like Hicks & Stephenson would probably want Hader to sign first and set a higher bar for the market than there is right now. Unless there’s a major overpay, they probably don’t sign until Hader is off the market.
The thing is, the Phillies have pretty much said they aren’t changing their lineup. If they were going to do it, they would’ve moved Castellanos or Bohm by now. The bullpen & bench are the only areas they would likely be trying to upgrade.
With Austin Nola signed, there probably isn’t a true upgrade over Stubbs at backup C. The rest of their bench are all plus defenders (minus Cave) and still rather young & cheap. They lack pop off the bench but they’ll likely give Johan Rojas every chance to win the CF job this spring given he was the best defender in the league last year (regardless of position) since his debut game. For a team that struggles catching the ball, having an all world glove in CF is probably really appealing.
Maybe they kick the tires of a Duvall type but likely no one on a major league deal. Maybe Jakob Junis fits on a small AAV deal as a 5th/swing man. But unless there’s an injury, they seem to want Sanchez to take the 5th starter role and they stretched out Nick Nelson last year. His stuff and his league minimum salary may appeal more than committing a couple mil to a long reliever.
The Phillies could always strike and try to trade for a reliever with upside. They missed their chance when Tanner Scott was available in 2022 and traded to Miami. Karinchak, LeClerc, & Munoz are guys who could fit that bill. Or they could go with a 2 year deal for Liam Hendriks, gambling that he’ll recover from TJS and return healthy in 2025.
What’s most likely is they get 2 free agent relievers. One of Hicks or Stephenson makes sense and then a second reliever from a lower tier. One that has closing experience in the past and could work different roles. Stanek and Neris are two that come to mind since both have an above average pitch that can handle lefties.
@jumps
Finally someone looking at thing with some fiscal responsibility. I will also bring up some in house options. Utility players have flaws. They usually either field or hit. Seldom both. Otherwise, they would be starters. Don’t really understand the need for a bat on the bench with this team. Who do you need to pinch hit for? Clemens has some pop and can play 1B, 2B, and 3B. Makes a nice lefty to give Bohm some time off. Soto has closing experience, and wants to be the man. Put him back in the closers role, and watch his numbers improve. Yeah, he’ll still walk his share. But they already have an All Star closer in the pen.
This “article” is written by someone who clearly has read the Phillies Cliff Notes and never actually read the book. Steven Adams went through some fan sites and garnered a mishmash of complaints and then erroneously compiled them. To wit:
1) Marsh and Rojas are not a platoon, have never been a platoon and never will be a platoon. Rojas has to prove he can hit major league pitching in general; his regular season batting average last year (which had no left/right split) was inflated by a wildly unsustainable BABIP, and he crashed and burned in the playoffs. Marsh, a lefty, has substantial splits that improved a little last season but are still platoonable; HIS platoon is Christian Pache, who has proven he cannot hit right handed pitching. What the Phillies want to do is be able to play Marsh and Rojas next to each other, with Pache being able to spell both when necessary (especially when Marsh faces a tough lefty). However, if Rojas craters in spring training, they will be forced to platoon Jake Cave (who is brutal) and Pache in left, with Marsh in center. THIS is why Phillies fans are clamoring for a RH OF bat.
2) Edmundo Sosa is terrible at 3B due to his arm, but he is very effective up the middle at SS and 2B. He produced 10 HR, a 92 wRC+, .719 OPS and a 0.9 WAR. This is hardly a “weak bat,” and he has a career .773 OPS in 396 career PAs as a SS. His problem is he doesn’t walk, but do you really need that from a bench guy?
3) Why would the Phillies relegate Alec Bohm, who had virtually identical statistics to Jeimer Candelario last season and is in first year of arbitration, to a backup role, when a) the only 3B on the market who is probably better than him is a declining Matt Chapman and B) their top position prospect is Aidan Miller, a 3B who is rapidly shooting up the national rankings?
The lazy writing has got to stop.
Phils should have signed Nick Senzel before the Nats did. Or, how about a trade with LA for Chris Taylor?
Agree, Bauer is poison. But what about Julio Urias? All depends upon what kind of suspension MLB gives him.
They’re definitely biting on a higher end reliever. Hicks or Chapman most likely.
Someone who can close, but doesn’t need to necessarily be appointed as such.
Test
You don’t put a young player with 90+ RBIs in the bench as a backup! The comment was pure ridiculous. Bohm has the makings to be the 3rd or 4th best third baseman in the history of the Phillies!
I would argue that adding Hader to a bullpen that includes Soto/Dominguez/Hoffman/Alvarado in the back shortens playoffs games, and gives the Phillies a 4-6 out advantage over other teams. When your goal is the World Series, having Hader in a series against the Dodgers, Braves, Rangers, Astros, etc. is the most impactful move. More so than adding Duvall in OF or a starter. If OF or SP becomes a need this year, then DD will make a deal.