Phillies Offseason: How we would approach the future
We, the faithful phans of the Philadelphia Phillies, are ready to make our voices heard and our plans known
Having the worst record in baseball is never something a team strives for nor expects when pitchers and catcher report in February. The first sign of summer brings hope to all fans through the blizzards, who know summer and Phillies baseball aren’t far away.
Despite the addition of veterans to one of baseball’s youngest teams, the Phillies are at the lowest of lows. In the end, they could go down as the worst team in baseball history.
We the fans are ready to speak our mind and voice our opinions on how this rebuild should be conducted. Not through careless spending or the mismanagement of young players, but through thoughtful consideration and research.
The writers of TBOH have each developed their plan going into the trade deadline and offseason.
My plan begins with the trade deadline, and the movement of several pieces of his current team. Jeremy Hellickson, Pat Nehsek, Joaquin Benoit, and Daniel Nava are as good as gone once July 31st comes and goes.
Injuries have forced Howie Kendrick off the field, meaning the August waiver trade deadline is his likeliest fate.
Rhys Hoskins joins former IronPigs teammate Nick Williams in the major leagues, because he has proven to be ready. Veteran relievers in Lehigh Valley including Pat Venditte and Pedro Beato get their opportunities to play and accrue value.
This offseason I move on from Cameron Rupp, and consider offers for Maikel Franco. I also give free agent Mike Moustakas, a World Champion from the Royals, a very large two-year contract to start at third base. He can prove to be part of the core or another asset at the deadline.
Young starter Tyler Chatwood from Colorado is also acquired through free agency. Compare his numbers outside of that park to his season stats, and he’s a diamond in the rough. Yu Darvish also deserves consideration.
Here’s what the rest of our staff believes should happen at the deadline and in the offseason.
John Town
I’m trading Tommy Joseph and either Cesar Hernandez or Maikel Franco, then calling up Scott Kingery to fill in their spot. During the winter I get whatever I can for Cameron Rupp so it becomes Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro behind the plate next year.
Not doing a whole lot in free agency this year but I’m throwing all the Comcast money at Bryce Harper the year after.
Chris Valenti
My plan is fairly similar. I’m not wasting anymore time and seeing what I have in my prospects. I’m trading Joseph, Hernandez , and Rupp if I can get anything for him. That allows me to have Rhys Hoskins, Alfaro and Kingery up for most of the second half to see what they can do at the big league level.
I’m also not doing much in free agency this offseason, I would bring in a few veteran pieces on short deals and then focus my cap space for when Harper and other big name free agents are available
Tyler King
I’d also trade Joseph and Cesar. This team is going to led by the young core and Kingery is the main guy right now. I’d keep Rupp to back up Knapp for the rest of the year then trade him in the offseason and let Alfaro and Knapp battle in spring training. I’d also trade Pat Neshek and I would listen to calls on anybody on the 25 man roster not named Aaron Nola, Nick Williams, and Aaron Altherr.
I would also try to move Freddy Galvis in the offseason because at some point we have to see what J.P. Crawford can do in the majors, there’s just too much potential there.
I’ll keep Franco for this year and next year to see if he can do anything that would make me not give Manny Machado all of the money he wants. I’d continue to throw money at free agent pitchers and relievers that I could potentially flip at the deadline next year but I want to keep as much space open as possible for 2018 free agent class where we could have the money to get two major free agents.
Mike Azzalina
Trade Joseph/Neshek to NYY or Boston, then send Luis Garcia, Joaquin Benoit, Jeremy Hellickson, Howie Kendrick, and Daniel Nava for whatever I can get at this point.
Listening on Hector Neris, Odubel Herrera, Franco, and Cesar, but do not want to sell low on any right now.
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The real wild card here is Freddy Galvis. I think he has value, but he is a tough situation. JP has not been great by any stretch and Freddy is so strong defensively. His leadership has improved and the pop is there. I’d listen on him and deal him if someone was willing to even slightly overpay. Otherwise, I keep him and give JP as much time as he needs.
I bring up Hoskins and that is it for me. If I deal Odubel, I’d consider Cozens.
Offseason…I’d look at the market on starting pitchers. Try and trade for an ace. Would really love to see them make a push for Chris Archer. The money and prospects are there and he fits the timeline.
If Franco gets moved, I’d look at a one year deal on someone like Todd Frazier. Low OBP guy, but ton of power. I still don’t want to deal Franco because I think it means they’ll go Machado over Harper and I want Harper so badly.