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Phillies: Free agents who could be tricks or treats this offseason

By George Stockburger

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 24: Starter Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch during the second inning of a game against the Seattle Marinersat T-Mobile Park on September 24, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 24: Starter Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch during the second inning of a game against the Seattle Marinersat T-Mobile Park on September 24, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 18: Joe Girardi #28 of the New York Yankees takes the ball from pitcher Dellin Betances #68 in the top of the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins on September 18, 2017 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo By Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 18: Joe Girardi #28 of the New York Yankees takes the ball from pitcher Dellin Betances #68 in the top of the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins on September 18, 2017 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo By Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images) /

Trick: Dellin Betances, RP

Dellin Betances was one of five options we highlighted as players who could be reunited with Joe Girardi this offseason. A very good set-up man for the Yankees, Betances has had an ERA under 3.10 each of the last five years for New York, pitching effectively in the world’s biggest and most polarizing market.

The injury bug bit Betances bad in 2019, limiting him to two-thirds of an inning in one appearance for New York.  A lingering shoulder injury benched him in March and he partially tore his left Achilles tendon when he returned in late September.

Betances is expected to be ready for spring training, but we’ve seen pitchers who have to rehab during the offseason struggle to adjust once the season starts. Their schedule is thrown off and they’re behind the 8-ball to start the year.

Philadelphia has had a myriad of issues when it comes to free agent relief pitchers, as recently as Betance’s former teammate David Robertson and including Pat Neshek, Tommy Hunter, and Juan Nicasio.

Unless Betance signs a one year “prove it deal”, the Phillies should stay away.

Treat: Todd Frazier, 3B

There aren’t a ton of great bats the Phillies could sign this offseason. They’re set in the corner outfield spots with Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen, at first base with Rhys Hoskins, and at catcher with J.T. Realmuto. Jean Segura had a polarizing first season in Philadelphia, but his contract should lead him back as the starting shortstop.

Second base, third base, and center field are questions going into the offseason, and while the Phillies have some in-house answers, they might need to look around for upgrades.

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While Todd Frazier isn’t a tremendous upgrade who would rock the baseball world, he could be a quiet signing who locks down the third base position until Alec Bohm is ready to come up midway or late in the season. Even if Bohm comes up Frazier is a big bat off the bench from the right-hand side of the plate, something the Phillies don’t have.

Another guy who played for Girardi, Frazier would pummel the short deck in left field. Frazier hit four home runs in seven games at Citizens Bank Park last season and hit all but 3 of his 21 home runs to left field for the New York Mets.

Frazier is also a solid clubhouse guy and South Jersey native, making this somewhat of a homecoming. He made $9 million with the Mets last year and could make similar money in Philadelphia.

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