Phillies: Three realistic expectations for the Phillies offseason
Expectations are high for the Phillies this offseason, but what can they realistically accomplish over the next four months?
Phillies fans have circled this offseason on their calendars for two years with the expectation that the team could sign several superstar free agents.
Gaining a player like Manny Machado or Bryce Harper is high on the organization and the fan base’s wish list, but there are several players the team has their finger on. There are also several trades fans are waiting to see go across news tickers.
Here’s what a lot of fans are expecting to see this offseason from the Phillies brass:
- Sign a megastar
- Add a top of the rotation left-handed pitcher
- Add a lefty to the bullpen
- Sign a big-time closer
- Trade Carlos Santana
- Trade Cesar Hernandez
- Trade Maikel Franco
- Find another catcher
- Trade away a starting pitcher
- Upgrade the infield
- Improve the defense
- Establish world peace
That’s the general expectation of those around baseball and Philadelphia, and establishing world peace might be easier than trading Carlos Santana.
A list like that is impressive for a general manager’s tenure, let alone one offseason. However, the feeling I get from fans is that they expect the majority of those things to happen. It’s almost as if they expect the entire team, one that was among the best in the National League in the first half, to be completely erased next year.
So with that being said, what are realistic expectations for the Phillies front office from the “honey do” list set by fans?
Signing a big bat
If you are going to bet on the Phillies doing one thing this offseason it’s that they will add a big bat to their lineup, whether in free agency or a trade.
One national reporter went as far as to say you can “bank on” the Phillies signing Bryce Harper this offseason. That might be going a bit too far, but everyone in baseball is expecting the Phillies to sign either Harper or Manny Machado in the next six weeks.
Even if the Phillies are outbid on those two they have been linked to free agent Michael Brantley. Names they have been connected to in the past who are now free agents include Adam Jones and Mike Moustakas.
A trade involving Paul Goldschmidt has even been reported by national writers, proving the Phillies will turn over every rock to add a bat.
Adding a bat means dominos will fall on the 25-man roster, thus checking off another expectation on the list.
Regardless of who it is added, you can expect a bat to join the Phillies lineup to make a major impact, whether it be for one year or a decade.
I still think that bat will be one of either Harper or Machado because the Phillies will be able to outbid every offer they want to. The connections with each player are strong, and there’s a reason every writer thinks they’ll land one of them.
Add a starting pitcher
Pitching carried the Phillies through three-quarters of last season before everyone except Aaron Nola burned out. Both the starting rotation and bullpen were put in high-stress situations throughout last season when the bats couldn’t produce enough runs.
Nola and Jake Arrieta create a formidable top of the rotation, but everyone beyond them is a question mark. A combination of Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, Zach Eflin, Nick Pivetta, Enyel De Los Santos, and Ranger Suarez will not survive another season without major breakdowns.
Someone will be the odd-man out of the Phillies rotation.
The Phillies would like to add a lefty to their rotation, and the best one available, Patrick Corbin, was in Philadelphia for a free agent tour this week. He’s since visited the Nationals and Yankees, a team he grew up rooting for.
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If Philadelphia can’t secure Corbin, there are still options in free agency, though not as appealing to fans. A reunion with J.A. Happ is possible after a solid season for the Blue Jays and Yankees last year.
Would Charlie Morton 2.0 work out after a reawakening with the Astros?
Dallas Keuchel has big game experience coming from the Astros and he brings the Phillies a southpaw.
Nathan Eovaldi‘s name has been tossed around the rumor mill after his postseason performance.
Even if Matt Klentak can’t sign a free agent there are several arms available on the trade market such as Madison Bumgarner and Carlos Carrasco.
If the Phillies are to be contenders, they will add at least one starting pitcher this offseason.
Pulling off a big trade
This expectation stems from the two mentioned earlier in many ways, but you can bet on the Phillies making at least one big trade this offseason.
I believe a big trade can and will be done regarding at least one of the infielders mentioned earlier: Santana, Franco, and Hernandez. Moving Hernandez and Santana would be to make room for younger players, and moving Franco is more out of spite given the disappointment of fans since he’s joined the team.
If the Phillies sign an outfielder, that increases the chances of Santana being traded, but it’s not a guarantee. Gabe Kapler could still run out an outfield of Rhys Hoskins, Odubel Herrera, and Bryce Harper without trading Santana. Moving Hoskins back to first opens a job for Nick Williams or Roman Quinn somewhere in the outfield.
A lot of teams could use a first baseman, such as the Rockies, Cardinals, and Astros.
Trading Hernandez should net Philadelphia a decent return, whether it be a pitcher or some prospects. Moving Hernandez is something a lot of people expect so that Scott Kingery can take his rightful place at second base and not bounce around the field like Ben Zobrist.
Jim Salisbury of NBCS Philadelphia thinks it’s highly likely the team trades Franco this offseason, and the addition of Machado could open that even more. Kansas City is a team we looked at as a potential trade destination for Franco, and San Diego has always been hot for him.
Just because Franco hasn’t performed the way the fans and organization expected, don’t think that there’s an immediate upgrade to him out there.
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Expect at least one major trade from the Phillies this offseason, especially one involving an infielder.
It’s highly possible the Phillies do much more than the three things mentioned but don’t be disappointed if they don’t check off everything on your wish list this winter.