Phillies rumors: Five non-tender candidates to sign in free agency
Phillies general manager Matt Kletnak has some new free agents to look over
After the arbitration tender deadline passed last week several players opted to go into free agency. Many of the names now available are former top prospects and one-shot wonders, giving the Phillies a potential diamond in the rough.
Here are five pitchers the organization should look into after they were non-tendered by their original club.
Chi Chi Gonzalez
Chi Chi Gonzalez was one of the players Ruben Amaro Jr. had a chance to acquire in the Cole Hamels trade. The Rangers first round pick from 2013 missed the entire 2017 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and is likely to miss a bulk of next year as well.
At 25-years-old Gonzalez has the opportunity to start anew and rehab on his own schedule. It’s a long-term investment the Phillies can make in a player with a world of talent. Tommy John surgery is serious and requires tenuous rehab, but pitchers can return better and stronger. Gabe Kapler and Matt Klentak have said they will turn over every stone to find the best players. Giving Gonzalez a second chance with no pressure on his shoulders could pay off for the Phillies down the road.
Mike Fiers
Mike Fiers fits the mold of a veteran starter who can bring stability to the Phillies starting rotation. He’s coming off a championship season with the Astros where he went 8-10 with a 5.22 ERA in 29 games, all but one being a start.
Fiers is the type of player Klentak has brought in since joining the organization. Look at Jeremy Hellickson and Charlie Morton as examples as to what Fiers would be to this organization going forward.
If Fiefs is signed it wouldn’t be shocking if he gets a two-year deal with Philadelphia, or potentially a club option for a second year. That not only gives the Phillies leverage going into 2019 but increases Fiers’ trade value if the team needs to move on.
J.J. Hoover
The Pittsburgh native didn’t have a horrible season coming out of the Diamondbacks bullpen, sporting a 3.92 ERA over 52 relief appearances. He’s bounced between Triple-A and the major league club throughout his career, but his performance in 2015 with an 8-2 record and a 2.94 ERA made him a prime candidate to replace Aroldis Chapman as the Reds closer.
Obviously, those plans didn’t work out for either side when Hoover’s ERA inflated in 2016 to 13.50 in just 18 games. Arizona picked him up in the offseason as a minor league free agent, but shoulder inflammation limited Hoover to 41.1 innings with the Diamondbacks.
Considering the Phillies recent bullpen history having an arm such as Hoover’s for the seventh inning does little harm. He’s proven when healthy to be an established major league reliever, and hopefully another change of scenery helps him continue his career.
Drew Smyly
The 28-year-old never made an appearance for Seattle after the Rays traded him to the west coast in exchange for a prospect. Smyly injured his arm during the World Baseball Classic and underwent Tommy John surgery in June.
Recovering from the elbow injury likely pushes Smyly’s season debut up to the All-Star break, limiting his opportunity to contribute. If he’s able to bounce back it’s not a bad stash signing for the Phillies at the mid-point of the 2018 season.
In five seasons with Detroit and Tampa Bay Smyly has a 3.74 ERA in 156 games, 85 of which have been starts. He’s relatively young and should heal from the surgery fairly well. If he’s able to return in the summer he’ll be a potential trade candidate in August.
Bruce Rondon
An excellent season with the Detroit Tigers in 2016 caused many to believe the righty had hit a turning point in his short major league career. With an ERA under three Rondon struck out 45 hitters in 36.1 innings while walking just 12.
Rondon struggled last year after pitching for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic and was sent down to Triple-A twice during the season. At 26-years-old he’s still got a lot to give to a major league club, making him the perfect candidate for a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
Next: Top 10 Phillies Starting Pitchers of the Last 10 Years
Rondon, like many of the players listed above, is a terrific low-risk, high-reward option for Klentak going into what should develop into a busy offseason.