JEREMY HELLICKSON
Hellickson was signed for one year to be, along with Morton, a seasoned, veteran presence in a rotation that was likely to otherwise be relying on a number of youngsters.
He has fulfilled his role well, going 12-10 with a 3.78 ERA, 1.169 WHIP, and 109 ERA+ while surrendering 172 hits over 185.2 innings with a 150/45 K:BB ratio.
The Phillies have to be ecstatic with that production. They would have been even more ecstatic had they been able to deal him at the trade deadline for something of value, but such a deal never materialized.
Hellickson will be a free agent again this off-season, and it is unlikely that the Phillies will be able to re-sign him.
While they would surely love to bring him back, in a weak pitching free agent class, Hellickson’s services will be valuable. His solid season has put him in a line for a nice payday.
The Phillies will likely make him a near $17 million qualifying offer in order to at least receive a nice draft pick as compensation should he sign elsewhere. However, worse things could happen than his accepting the offer and coming back.
Hellickson turns 30 years of age just as the 2017 regular season gets underway. If he is a part of the Phillies starting rotation again at that point it will be a major upset.