Phillies: Top 5 free agents still available during the break

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 21: Sam Dyson #49 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the game on August 21, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Phillies (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The Phillies could add a couple of players once the season returns

Due to the Phillies and MLB being on hold at the moment, teams around the league are actually being presented with a pretty unique opportunity. An extended “offseason” period. With more time to think over one’s roster, general managers may use this time to poke around once more in a usually less than appealing free agency market.

The Phillies are no exception. They were seriously relying on some of their younger players to overperform this year, and seeing them play in spring training was initially going to be a huge part of that process. With limited actual game time for most of these prospects, the Phillies would be wise to invest their final resources into a few safeguards.

Assuming baseball will resume at some point in 2020, the Philadelphia front office may very well start looking at some veteran options on the market.

#5. Sam Dyson

Despite there actually being some legit free agent relievers available this offseason, the Phillies chose to opt out of adding anyone notable. Deciding instead to roll with their usual mish-mash group of injury prone young guys, and below average veterans.

Enter in Sam Dyson. The 31 year old righty reliever was having a pretty solid 2019 season before being traded. Initially posting a 2.47 ERA across 51 innings with the Giants, Dyson was acquired by the Twins at the trade deadline. In just 11.1 innings with his new team, he allowed nine runs (yikes!).

Dyson underwent shoulder surgery at the end of the 2019 season, which may explain why he struggled so much towards the end of the year. Assuming he’s made a full recovery from his operation, it’s reasonable to assume he could regain at least some of that first-half 2019 form.

#4. Andrew Cashner

Amongst all remaining free agents, starter/reliever Andrew Cashner had the highest level of production during the 2019 season. Posting a WAR of 2.69, Cashner had an extremely productive first half of the season.

Cashner started the 2019 season with the Baltimore Orioles, acting exclusively as a starting pitcher. Across 17 starts he went 9-3 with a 3.83 ERA. Pretty impressive numbers considering he was being supported by some of the worst defense and offense in the league.

The Boston Red Sox took notice of his surprising production, and pulled off a trade for the veteran at the 2019 deadline. Unfortunately, this move didn’t really work out too well for Cashner. In six starts and 25 appearances as a Red Sox, Cashner went 3-5 and recorded an ERA in the low sixes.

Obviously the Red Sox envisioned Cashner evolving into more of a reliever role with the team, a role which Cashner didn’t appear too comfortable with. Due to this lack of fit, the Sox let Cashner hit the free agent market and no teams have necessarily come calling.

It’s hard to tell who the “real” Cashner was in 2019. Was it the dominant starter in Baltimore? Or was it the flimsy reliever up in Boston? Regardless, Cashner posts a repertoire which few on the Phillies current pitching staff can match. Unlike Nick Pivetta or Vince Velasquez, Cashner has actually had success before as a major league starter.

Whether it’s in the starting rotation or in the bullpen, bringing in Cashner as just another option would make a lot of sense. It’s hard to trust the current guys at the back of rotation and Jake Arrieta struggled mightily with injuries last year. The Phillies don’t want to be stuck signing the Drew Smyly’s of the world come the trade deadline.

CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 01: Danny Salazar #31 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Progressive Field on August 1, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

#3. Danny Salazar

A former All-Star in 2016, Danny Salazar absolutely screams “bounce-back candidate”. The righty had quite the solid year during his All-Star season, going 11-6 while posting a 3.87 ERA and a 1.130 WHIP. As a starter in both 2015 and 2013, Salazar also held an ERA in the mid to low 3.00s.

Salazar was blossoming into quite the ace for Cleveland early in his career, before injuries ultimately derailed him. Salazar struggled mightily in 2017, eventually being moved to the bullpen at one point. As the 2018 season kicked off, Salazar was moved to the 60-day disabled list, a clear indication that Salazar was pitching most of 2017 while injured.

Salazar underwent shoulder surgery in 2018, missing the entirety of the season. He would pitch just one game in 2019 before being moved to the disabled list yet again (groin injury).

It’s no secret that Salazar has struggled with injuries in recent history, it’s why he’s still available as a free agent currently. With that said, it’s been almost two full years since his shoulder surgery. With so much time to rehab, there’s a half decent chance he’s back in a condition to pitch again.

At just 30 years of age, Salazar could very well still be in above average shape. Plus, his career ERA of 3.86 would also automatically rank as one of the best on the team.

Similar to that of Cashner, bringing in an extra arm to compete as either a starter or a bullpen arm simply makes too much sense.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 06: Russell Martin #55 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates as he the bases after hitting a two run home run in the ninth inning of Game 3 of the NLDS against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 06, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

#2. Russell Martin

Entering into the 2020 offseason, a common position that fans were screaming for an upgrade at was backup catcher. Considering last year’s backup Andrew Knapp hit a whopping .213 in 2019, it’s understandable that people were itching for a change.

The flurry of initial free agent moves came and went, and the Phillies failed to add another catcher to the roster. In fact, they settled on a one-year extension with Knapp in order to avoid arbitration. Considering the Phillies top catcher prospect in Deivy Grullon got hurt prior to spring training, it would still make a lot of sense for the team to add a better backup option behind the plate.

Surprisingly, veteran catcher Russell Martin did not retire after his 2019 season with the Dodgers. At 37 years of age, it really seemed like he would call it quits, especially considering he had a pretty good “send off” season with the team that drafted him.

Alas, Martin is technically free to sign with whoever he pleases as of right now. A 14 year veteran who’s made four All-Star games, won both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove award, he’d be an instant upgrade over Knapp.

Although Martin only hit .220 in 2019 and .194 the year before, he provides so much more in terms of leadership. A seasoned pro who’s been to countless playoff games, he provides an element of experience to a very young Phillies clubhouse.

Despite the low batting average, Martin adds a legit power option off the bench. His 16 home runs over the last two seasons quadruple the amount that Knapp has had in the same amount of time. Enough said.

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 27: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Cleveland Indians warms up against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park on September 27, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

#1. Yasiel Puig

Love him or hate him, there’s absolutely no denying the fact that Yasiel “The Wild Horse” Puig has some raw talent when it comes to playing baseball.

Even with all of Puig’s off the field issues and locker room troubles, it’s pretty unbelievable that the power-hitting outfielder is still available on the open market. Most fans and analysts around the league were expecting Puig to command quite the bidding war based on marketability alone. Obviously, things haven’t quite worked out that way for the ever controversial ex-Dodger.

After a pretty dominant first six years in the league with the LA Dodgers, Puig was ultimately traded away due to concerns over his work ethic and character. Puig was arrested twice for reckless driving and had reportedly garnered a reputation for refusing to practice or watch film.

Despite all this, Puig continued to deliver at the plate. During his time with the Dodgers, Puig hit .279, drove in 300+ RBIs, and launched 108 homers.