Not adding a proven back end of the rotation starter
Heading into 2024, the Phillies were quite certain they were set with their starting four in the rotation with Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez and Cristopher Sánchez. Their only real question mark was how Taijuan Walker would bounce back and perform after being left out of their postseason run in 2023.
Perhaps the front office had some confidence that Walker would remain a solid option this year. At least that was what it seemed like because the Phillies didn’t pursue any proven starting pitchers during the 2023-24 offseason to add to their starting pitching depth.
Instead, Philadelphia took their chances with free agent signees such as Spencer Turnbull and Kolby Allard and traded for pitching prospects such as Michael Mercado to be part of their insurance depth.
When Walker was hit with injuries and ineffectiveness during the season, that depth suddenly was thrust into action. Unfortunately, none of them resolved the Phillies’ fifth spot in the rotation. Turnbull started out strong, but then his season was derailed by a right lat strain that occurred in late June. Both Allard and Mercado also had their cracks at the role, but they failed to impress in the limited number of starts given to them.
Had the Phillies gone after a legitimate back end of the rotation starter during free agency, they wouldn’t have had to deal with the problem that persisted all season. In addition, it ultimately would have given them another viable option during the playoffs so that they wouldn’t have needed to go to a struggling Suárez in the do-or-die Game 4 of the NLDS. The Phillies certainly learned it the hard way and will hopefully not make that same mistake again heading into 2025.