Five Free Agents the Phillies Should Avoid in Free Agency
Going into the offseason, the Phillies should be looking to sign pieces that will be here long enough to be part of a run when their prospects and young talent culminate. With that being said, there is no reason for the Phillies to avoid any sort of pitching in free agency.
While pieces like Rhys Hoskins, J.P. Crawford, Odubel Herrera, and Nick Williams that seem to be locking down their positions for the future, that cannot be said for the pitching staff. Even an inconsistent Aaron Nola is not necessarily a lock in the long run.
While the Phillies may try to be aggressive this offseason, with a free agent class that isn’t necessarily ripe with young talent, the front office needs to be picky about where they spend their money.
Logan Morrison
With the emergence of Rhys Hoskins and Tommy Joseph likely being on his way out for the same reason, the Phillies have no reason to pursue Logan Morrison. After a surprisingly productive 2017 campaign, Morrison will also draw interest from teams looking for a power bat in the middle of the lineup.
As of right now, that isn’t an area of necessity as the Phillies prepare for the 2018 conquest. Additionally with Morrison coming off a season in which he hit 38 home runs and drove in 85 RBI’s he is going to demand big time money in free agency.
Morrison has also been rather inconsistent before last season, with it being his first season since 2011 that he has hit over 20 home runs. His average has fluctuated along with it, never being higher than .262.
To put it simply, the Phillies should not be in contention for a big bat at a corner infield spot, especially one who has not been consistently productive.
Todd Frazier
Another name that will attract a lot of attention for teams looking for power is Todd Frazier. Frazier made a name for himself going into free agency in the second half of the season and the playoffs with the Yankees.
His production when it mattered the most will drive his stock up. As he had become a mainstay in the middle of the Yankees lineup, they will make a run to retain him. It would be senseless to compete with them to sign Frazier, as his acquisition would also impede the development of Maikel Franco.
With a somewhat limited market in right-handed power hitters in this free agent class, Frazier may demand the kind of money only the Yankees are willing to spend. His numbers themselves are worrisome and not worth the big money the Yankees or another team may spend on him.
Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez is a player that has been a productive, starting center fielder on some good baseball teams. However, as a name that the Phillies were once rumored to pursue in previous years, he is one they should avoid this offseason.
The Phillies have found themselves outfielders that they are happy moving forward with Herrera, Altherr, and Williams. The addition of Gomez, who has a reputation of being a cancer to a clubhouse, would only be a distraction to a ball club that should be focused on continuing to develop a young core with chemistry as we saw towards the end of last season.
Along with that, Gomez is getting up there in age, and the most important part of his game, his speed is seeing the effects of it. His stolen base numbers are down and his average last year was a measly .255.
Jose Bautista
Jose Bautista used to be part of Phillies fans’ dreams, as there was a point where they were thought to be pursuing him. However, now is not that time, as the Phillies should avoid any talks with Bautista.
Bautista is thought around many front offices to be a somewhat selfish player and one that will no doubt look for a place where he can start immediately for a contender. Philadelphia is simply not that place.
Additionally, Bautista is now 37 and out of his prime. After his $17.5M option was declined by the Blue Jays, it should be a signal to other teams that he is simply not worth that kind of money this late in his career.
Jose Reyes
A longtime nemesis of the Phillies, Jose Reyes should be avoided for the simple reason of losing the contentment of the fanbase. The fans would no doubt be unhappy with the signing of an aging Reyes who will ultimately have little impact on the team’s proceedings moving forward.
Last season, Reyes hit .246 for the Mets playing the majority of his games at third base for them. Reyes was only paid 535K last year, but will likely be looking for more than that as well as a starting job as he explores free agency.
Next: Philadelphia Phillies 2018 top prospects: Nos. 11-15
His presence would only bring animosity among the fans from a front office that should be doing everything in their power to please the fanbase of a struggling team.