Fansided
That Balls Outta Here
Home/Phillies News

Re-evaluating Phillies pitching staff after rough start to season

jtown
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 09: Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks to the dugout against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on April 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 09: Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks to the dugout against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on April 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Phillies
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 27: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the ninth inning during Game 4 of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, October 27, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Where do the Phillies go from here?

As I mentioned on the first slide, it’s doubtful the Phillies can make the playoffs without improvement from the pitching staff. For all we know, by the end of the month, the pitchers could turn things around, and this article will be irrelevant. In the meantime, what can the team do to improve their pitching staff?

More from That Balls Outta Here

The two answers Twitter seem to like the most are Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel. The two remain free agents two weeks into the regular season, and there’s no sign they’re close to a deal.

Kimbrel is the one fans are clamoring for more after watching the bullpen struggle against the Nationals. He is indeed an attractive option, but there’s no indication he’s backed off his six-year asking price. A two or three-year deal is more sensible, but unless he comes down to that, he’s not coming here.

Keuchel also has not reneged on his demand for a long-term deal. Like Kimbrel, Philadelphia would likely be interested in Keuchel on a short-term deal, but there’s no indication that it is in the pipeline.

More external options could emerge at the trade deadline. The Phillies had interest in Robbie Ray during the offseason, and there’s a good chance he becomes available by midseason. Other starting and relieving options always emerge as teams recognize whether or not they are contenders.

Internally, Jerad Eickhoff is one of several options at Triple-A who could join the rotation need be. Adonis Medina, the team’s top pitching prospect, is in Double-A and on the 40-man roster, but it’s unlikely he leapfrogs the guys in Triple-A.

Next. Phillies to host 2026 All-Star Game. dark

Whatever the Phillies do, something needs to happen to fix the pitching staff. Whether it’s the pitchers on the major-league roster improving, a promotion, or an outside acquisition, the pitching staff needs to improve.

facebooktwitterreddit