That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies don’t need a superstar rotation entering 2019

By George Stockburger

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 09: Zach Eflin #56 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the second inning against the New York Mets during Game One of a doubleheader at Citi Field on July 9, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 09: Zach Eflin #56 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the second inning against the New York Mets during Game One of a doubleheader at Citi Field on July 9, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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The Phillies could spend big again this offseason, but they’re better off waiting.

After the Phillies finally nailed down a contract with Bryce Harper, the next step in many fan’s minds is to add a left-handed starter to the rotation, i.e. Dallas Keuchel.

Philadelphia gave themselves terrific financial flexibility by signing Harper to a 13-year deal, allowing them to add not just this offseason but in the future.

It’s very possible the Phillies could be looking at someone like Keuchel, but they are better suited giving their current crop of young arms one last opportunity to prove themselves.

Vince Velasquez, Zach Eflin, and Nick Pivetta have each proved capable of being major league starters for periods of time, though never for a full season. While neither of the three finished the season with an ERA lower than four, they each showed flashes.

Philadelphia has proven that you don’t need a great rotation to win championships. While it absolutely helps to have four aces, the Phillies took home a trophy with Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, Joe Blanton, and Kyle Kendrick.

If we get to the July trade deadline and it’s a tight race, then the Phillies can dip into a relatively decent farm system and pick the starter of their choosing on the trade market to contend in 2019.

The 2020 free agent class of starting pitchers is currently projected to include the following stars, some pending options being exercised: Gerrit Cole, Justin Verlander, Stephen Strasburg, Alex Wood, Cole Hamels, Julio Teheran, Madison Bumgarner, Jake Odorizzi, Zack Wheeler, Chris Sale, and Chris Archer.

Next year the Phillies can pay a starter such as Bumgarner, Cole, or Sale stupid money.

In addition, the Phillies have other young arms who could create a major impact in the big leagues in a couple of years, including Adonis Medina, Spencer Howard, JoJo Romero, Enyel De Los Santos, and Ranger Suarez.

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The Phillies can win now with what they have, and even if one of their young arms slips they have the resources to pick up a veteran down the line. Now’s not the time to add another veteran reliever.

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