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Phillies: Three potential Free Agent bargains for 2021

By Bryce Turner

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Keone Kela #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the seventh inning at Oracle Park on September 12, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Keone Kela #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the seventh inning at Oracle Park on September 12, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 18: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) James Paxton #65 of the New York Yankees in action against the Houston Astros in game five of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Astros 4-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 18: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) James Paxton #65 of the New York Yankees in action against the Houston Astros in game five of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Astros 4-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

SP James Paxton

Left-handed starting pitcher James Paxton could be another free agent bargain for the Phillies. There are a number of starters with a higher 2020 price tag than Paxton’s $12.5 million and he would be a good addition to the rotation.

Phillies pitching has been a point of emphasis for needing improvement and the addition of Zack Wheeler is a step in the right direction. With Jake Arrieta past his prime, the team will likely skip his 2021 club option. But, regardless of whether Arrieta remains with the team, Paxton could slot into third in the rotation behind Wheeler and Aaron Nola.

Paxton is currently with the New York Yankees, where he posted a 15-6 record, 3.82 ERA and 1.281 WHIP in 29 starts last season. He had the second-best win total and best ERA among Yankees starters, but will likely be slotted further back in the rotation with the addition of Gerrit Cole to a line-up already including Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. Happ and Domingo German.

With Tanaka, Trevor Bauer, Jake Odorizzi and potentially Corey Kluber (if his club option is not picked up) among free agents, Paxton could potentially fly under the radar and be available at a bargain, specifically if he gets overshadowed by the other Yankees starters.

However, there are some aging veterans scheduled to become free agents, which may lead to more interest in Paxton as a pitcher who could be signed to a longer contract. Even if he doesn’t become a bargain, he would still be worth signing over keeping Arrieta, whose record, ERA and WHIP have been on a decline in recent seasons.

Paxton spent six years with the Seattle Mariners prior to the Yankees, where he posted an 11-6 record, 3.76 ERA and 1.098 WHIP in 2018, following a breakout season that saw a 12-5 record and 2.98 ERA. The records show his ability to factor into games and help the team win, while his ERA is also good for a second or third man in the rotation.

Paxton’s strikeout total (208 in 2018 and 186 in 2019) and innings pitched (160.1 in 2018 and 150.2 in 2019) were both down from Seattle to New York, despite starting an additional game. Still, he would be a potential free agent bargain who would help the Phillies strengthen their rotation for next season.

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