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Phillies: Which free agent starters can fill the rotation

By George Stockburger

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 14: Taijuan Walker #99 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches in the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 14: Taijuan Walker #99 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches in the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 07: Rich Hill #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Washington Nationals in Game Four of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Where do the Phillies stand with their starting rotation going into 2020?

Entering a new year, the Phillies still have holes across the diamond, front the lineup to the bench to the pitching staff.

Jon Heyman of Fancred and MLB Network reports that the Phillies are among several teams still looking for starting pitching, and general manager Matt Klentak acknowledged the team’s desire to add depth this offseason.

Hours before signing with the Blue Jays, Hyun-Jin Ryu was connected to the Phillies. Ryu was the last top of the rotation pitcher available this offseason, leaving the Phillies with only back of the rotation and bounce-back options available.

Heyman laid out several trade candidates for teams looking for pitching, but for the purposes of this piece, we’re going to examine the remaining free agents Philadelphia could sign.

Rich Hill

If the Phillies are to sign Rich Hill they best wait to see if he’s still available midway through the season and attempt a Pedro Martinez-like signing.

Hill, who turns 40 in March, dealt with a flexor strain last season and won’t be ready for the start of the season.

Last year in 13 starts Hill had a 2.45 ERA and since making a comeback as a starter in 2015 has a 2.91 ERA in 87 games, all but one as a starter. Hill also has a 3.06 ERA in the postseason and has allowed only five runs in his last five games.

Hill would be a good insurance option around the All-Star break if no one picks him up and the Phillies should at least keep tabs on him in case of injury or poor performance.

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