The Phillies might need to get creative to find a left-handed starter
Phillies general manager Matt Klentak entered this offseason with a laundry list of things to accomplish. He’s already upgraded left field, shortstop, the bullpen, and first base in a trade with Seattle and signing Andrew McCutchen.
Aside from acquiring a superstar bat Klentak’s biggest need is a left-handed starter. The club struck out on J.A. Happ and Patrick Corbin because they didn’t want to give each an extra year.
Remaining on the free agent market is Dallas Keuchel, but there is concern regarding his age and drop off after winning a Cy Young in 2015. The former Astros ace is considered not just the top southpaw starter, but the best overall after seeing Corbin and Happ go off the board.
If Klentak was unwilling to go three years with Happ or six with Corbin, it’s tough to see him push the years on Keuchel coming off a 3.74 ERA season.
Robbie Ray and Mike Minor have been mentioned on the trade market, and Ray makes sense with the Diamondbacks needing an outfielder, something the Phillies have an excess of. Minor would be a cheaper option, but he doesn’t bring the big name excitement fans have been waiting for this offseason.
Jose Quintana, on the other hand, could give the Phillies and their fans something to get excited about.