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Phillies: Breaking down the 2020 starting pitcher market

By George Stockburger

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 03: Starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on August 03, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Nationals 18-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 03: Starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on August 03, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Nationals 18-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 17: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium on July 17, 2019 in Anaheim, California. The Astros defeated the Angels 11-2. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 17: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium on July 17, 2019 in Anaheim, California. The Astros defeated the Angels 11-2. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Best starting pitchers available

Gerrit Cole

Perhaps the biggest name on the free agent market this offseason will be Astros starter Gerrit Cole. Since coming over from the Pirates Cole has a 2.87 ERA with 28 wins and over 200 strikeouts each of his two seasons with Houston.

Cole, the major league strikeout leader last season, is coming off another All-Star season that could notch the soon-to-be 29-year-old one of the games biggest contracts.

The Phillies project to have a top-10 payroll next season, currently looking at $124,738,462. Next years luxury tax is set at $208 million, so they have room to add another eight or nine-figure contract. Do they want to pay a pitcher that much, or do they even have any interest in Cole? We’ll see come December.

Madison Bumgarner

There was a little smoke surrounding the Phillies and Madison Bumgarner at the trade deadline, but nothing materialized for either side. A big question with Bumgarner will be if he wants to leave San Francisco.

After winning three championships and cementing himself as a Bay Area legend there’s little reason for Bumgarner to uproot himself and move across the country. Little reason other than a big paycheck, something the Phillies can produce.

Bumgarner doesn’t need to chase rings somewhere, but does he want to help the Giants rebuild?

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