That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies double down on current core with limited trade deadline

By John Town

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 30: Philadelphia Phillies First Base Rhys Hoskins (17) celebrates a home run with Phillies Outfield Bryce Harper (3) in the fifth inning during the game between the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies on July 30, 2019 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 30: Philadelphia Phillies First Base Rhys Hoskins (17) celebrates a home run with Phillies Outfield Bryce Harper (3) in the fifth inning during the game between the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies on July 30, 2019 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Phillies indicated their strong belief in their current core of players with a limited scope of trade deadline moves this year.

While many of baseball’s biggest names were on the move at this year’s trade deadline, none of them wound up joining the Phillies. Instead, the team made an assortment of smaller moves to bolster the current core of players already on the roster.

The group that arguably looks the most different compared to just a few weeks ago is the starting rotation. Zach Eflin and Nick Pivetta are now in the bullpen, while Drew Smyly and Jason Vargas, who was acquired on Monday, now anchor the back of the rotation.

Philadelphia opted to bet on Aaron Nola to carry the rotation the rest of the way. They could have pursued high-profile starters like Trevor Bauer and Zack Greinke, both of whom they were linked to. Instead, it will be up to Nola, Vargas, and Smyly to make the rotation at least average the rest of the way.

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Besides the acquisitions of Vargas and Smyly, the other notable additions to the major-league team are outfielder Corey Dickerson and reliever Mike Morin. Dickerson was acquired from the Pirates for a player to be named later and international slot money, while Philadelphia sent cash to the Twins for Morin.

A common trait among all these players is that they won’t be around for long. Dickerson and Smyly are both free agents after this year, Vargas can be bought out of his option for $2 million, and Mike Morin can be non-tendered as he is arbitration-eligible. All four are essentially rentals for this year as there are no long-term commitments.

The front office said that they were going to supplant the current core of players with rentals, and they did just that. There were rumors and speculation that they may go bigger, but that obviously didn’t happen. Now it is up to core group of players that have been here all year to find a way to eek into the playoffs.

Next. Phillies lose David Robertson for the season. dark

Last season, we saw similar rental moves for players like Asdrubal Cabrera and Justin Bour. The club didn’t change their approach at this year’s deadline; will the outcome be any different?

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