The Phillies’ Free Agency Christmas List – Cyber Monday Edition
Have the Philadelphia Phillies been naughty or nice thus far into the 2020-2021 offseason?
Well, despite cleaning house in the bullpen, they’ve been mostly naughty in their mismanagement of the front office.
Nevertheless, on this day of discount savings and reasonably-priced televisions, the Phillies have a chance to avoid finding a lump of coal in their stocking come spring training. Well, not on this day exactly, but the sentiment remains the same. Here are 3 bargain-level free agents the Phils should target this winter.
Disclaimer: The Phillies’ main priority this offseason should be re-signing JT Realmuto. Obviously. That being said, it’s looking more and more unlikely that the BCIB will return to South Philadelphia, so as painful as it is, I must include a catcher on this list.
Tyler Flowers // Catcher
In the event that JT Realmuto doesn’t return, the Phillies are going to have some decisions to make in the gaping hole behind the dish. While Andrew Knapp showed significant improvement at the plate, I’m not convinced that he’s fit for the starting job. At least not full time. Insert Tyler Flowers. The 35-year-old backup appeared in 22 games last year and hit an abysmal .217. However, there is a silver lining: Flower’s defensive prowess.
Yes, the aging catcher did struggle to throw out runners – only throwing out 2 base-stealers in 183 innings, the same amount as Knapp, but he managed to post a 2.5 WAR despite his putrid offense. Flower’s signature skill is his pitch framing, a skill that will be sorely missed if JT Realmuto isn’t behind the dish next season. In 2020, Flowers was just above the league average of a 48.5% strike rate — the statistic that accounts for the percentage of non-swings on the edges of the strike zone converted into strikes, but historically Flowers has been excellent posting strike rates of 54.3% and 52.9% in 2017 and 2019 respectively.
With intriguing prospect, Raphael Marchan not quite ready for the big leagues, signing Flowers to a cheap one-year deal could make a solid platoon with Knapp and add experience to the young group of Phillies pitchers.
Trevor Rosenthal // Reliever
The Phillies need to revamp their bullpen while adding experienced arms to set the tone for fledgling relievers like Connor Brogdon and Jojo Romero. Look no further than the 30-year old flame-thrower Trevor Rosenthal.
Rosenthal was dominant in his small sample size with the Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres last season, posting a 1.90 ERA along with 38 strikeouts over 23.2 innings. Additionally, Rosenthal had 11 saves in 13 opportunities and was equally effective against both right-handed and left-handed batters. In a free-agent class loaded with relievers, Rosenthal won’t command top dollar due to his age and injury history.
Look to the Phils to sign him to a one or two-year deal that wouldn’t exactly be a bargain, but wouldn’t break the bank either.
Cole Hamels // Starting Pitcher
Photo: USATSI
I know what you’re thinking, blah blah Cole Hamels is over the hump and this half-crocked is living in a dream world to think that Cole can still be an effective starting pitcher. Perhaps you’re right and Hamels is washed-up and that I’m just on a nostalgia trip (him throwing 97mph in the 9th inning of his 2015 no-hitter has got to count for something!).
For argument’s sake, though, hear me out. Yes, Cole only lasted 3.1 innings in his only start last season and was beleaguered by injuries — not a great look for a 36-year pitcher. However, the Phils are in desperate need of a back-end of the rotation arm to eat innings after the departure of Jake Arrieta (not that Jake the Snake lasted long past the 5th inning in most of his starts) and a left-handed pitcher at that.
In an effort to save enough money to bring back JT Realmuto and perhaps even Didi Gregorius, the Phillies could take a flyer on Hamels by signing him to a cheaper one-year deal than the 17 million he made last year. Who knows, maybe Hamels could be a safety-net for Spencer Howard’s development and add some wisdom to the young pitching core. Maybe the fan-favorite has accumulated far too much mileage on his arm and won’t pitch at all.
Either way, it’s worth a shot.
Featured Image: USATSI
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
