That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies offseason sim: Buildings towards a championship

By George Stockburger

CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 02: Phillies Vice President & General Manager Matt Klentak listens to the question from a media member during the press conference to introduce Bryce Harper to the media and the fans of the Philadelphia Phillies on March 02, 2019 at the Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 02: Phillies Vice President & General Manager Matt Klentak listens to the question from a media member during the press conference to introduce Bryce Harper to the media and the fans of the Philadelphia Phillies on March 02, 2019 at the Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 17: Maikel Franco #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies congratulates Cesar Hernandez #16 after his solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on April 17, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 3-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 17: Maikel Franco #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies congratulates Cesar Hernandez #16 after his solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on April 17, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 3-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Five trades that will reshape the Phillies

While playing Matt Klentak in this simulation we made five trades involving several members of the Phillies and their minor league clubs.

Here’s a breakdown of the trades we made:

The Cesar Hernandez trade came down at the last minute after discussions with several teams. Given the large one-year deal he’s expected to receive through arbitration and the fact he’s a rental player, the price had to drop significantly. Cleveland ships a mid-level pitching prospect in Sam Hentges who will likely start in Double-A and give the Phillies some southpaw starter depth in the minor leagues.

The Bryan Shaw contract wasn’t a great one for Colorado, so the Phillies took on the former Indians star, as well as some money, for Single-A prospect Taylor Lehman. Shaw is a low-risk, high-reward veteran option for the bullpen with controllability, something the Phillies don’t have right now.

Because of the moves made in this simulation the Phillies had to dump some contracts. San Diego called about Jake Arrieta and we were glad to send him out west along with former first round pick Cornelius Randolph for two 19-year-old prospects.

Speaking of dumping a player, the Phillies moved Maikel Franco to Detroit instead of non-tendering him, adding Triple-A outfielder Jake Robson, the Tigers 26th overall prospect. Robson adds speed and defense to the 40-man roster and potentially replaces Roman Quinn if he can’t stay healthy.

Franco has been a massive disappointment, and how he has time to continue developing in Detroit with fewer eyes on him.

Our blockbuster trade of the offseason filled the need in center field in the form of Gold Glove outfielder Starling Marte. Also coming over in the deal is closer Kela Keone, who had a 2.12 ERA last season and adds more depth around Hector Neris.

Philadelphia did have to give up Adam Haseley, Adonis Medina, and Deivy Grullon, but the time to win is now. Haseley could be the starting center fielder for Philadelphia next year, but Medina and Grullon are each a year away from potentially making any kind of big league impact. Grullon made a short appearance last September, but didn’t do much in nine games.

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