Grading the Phillies’ last offseason through the first half of the 2023 season
By Edward Eng
After reaching the World Series last year for the first time since 2009, the Philadelphia Phillies were determined to continue their playoff success this season with quite the active 2022-23 offseason. The Phillies’ President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski believed in the stance that philosophically “you win with star players”. With that strategy in mind, let’s take a closer look at the Phillies’ 2022-23 offseason moves and how they have worked out so far for their 2023 season.
1. Key incoming players through waivers (originating team in parentheses)
Andrew Vasquez (SF), Luis Ortiz (SF), Jake Cave (BAL)
Most of the time, players claimed off waivers are sent to the minor leagues as they try to work their way back to the majors after showing their ability to produce and be effective. As a result, for the majority of the time, they are a work in progress and not much is expected from them right from the start. This holds true for both Luis Ortiz and Jake Cave, as they have failed to maintain a big league gig with the Phillies this year and have spent most of their time in the minors so far in 2023.
However, they appeared to hit the jackpot with Andrew Vasquez. Practically coming out of nowhere, literally (well, the San Francisco Giants to be exact), Vasquez appears to be the hidden gem for the Phillies’ bullpen so far in 2023, as he has posted a 2-0 record, with a 1.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, giving up only seven earned runs, 11 walks and 31 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched. He also has the flexibility to go more than one inning if needed, allowing the Phillies to deploy him in different situations at their will.
Grade: A-
Just the fabulous work Vasquez has done in itself is a win for the Phillies with regards to obtaining an impact player through waiver claims.