Phillies: An Argument Against Making Major Additions

There has been talks of the Phillies acquiring 2B Brian Dozier, signing CF Dexter Fowler, and trading for Andrew McCutchen. Any of these moves would likely improve the team’s offensive production and win total in 2017. But will they help or hurt the rebuilding process?

Nothing that is worth having can happen overnight. Picking up free agents and trading for big-name players will cost the Phillies down the line, when they actually need those resources. People are anxious to see a potent, All-Star lineup, but that takes time to develop if it is expected to last. Giving up the wrong prospect to acquire someone like Andrew McCutchen could really come back to bite the Phillies down the line.

Less than a year and a half ago, we were reminded of how long a rebuild can take. In June of ‘15, Senior Advisor and former GM Pat Gillick publicly stated that the Phillies likely won’t contend until at least 2018. Granted Ruben Amaro Jr. was still the team’s GM at the time, but this is still relevant. The team is still young and developing, and several promising players are yet to see the majors.