4 next moves Phillies need to make after signing Whit Merrifield
After inking Whit Merrifield, it's time for the Phillies to keep things rolling before Opening Day!
For much of the offseason, the Philadelphia Phillies had been generally quiet in terms of major moves following the re-signing of Aaron Nola back in November. They have made plenty of transactions, but the majority of them tended to be minor in nature. However, the team got things rolling again with the recent signing of veteran super utilityman Whit Merrifield to a one-year deal with a club option for a second year.
To ensure that the Phillies significantly bolster their chances this season to have a legitimate shot at a World Series title, they can’t stop there. Let’s take a look at the next major moves they need to make to give themselves the best chance of winning in the upcoming year and beyond.
1. The Phillies need to extend Zack Wheeler now
With the Phillies starting to enhance their roster with recent relevant signings, it's about time that they lock down pitcher Zack Wheeler with a contract extension. Wheeler has been an integral part of the Phillies’ success in recent years, including finishing as the runner-up to the NL Cy Young award in 2021, along with leading the way in two solid postseason runs in 2022 and 2023.
Collectively, he has compiled a stellar 43-25 winning record with a 3.06 ERA, 137 ERA+, 1.06 WHIP, along with 675 strikeouts in just 629 1/3 innings over 101 games started. More importantly, he took his game to another level in the postseason with four wins, a 2.42 ERA and 0.73 WHIP, giving up only 17 earned runs and 68 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings in 10 starts. Not only did he provide length in those critical starts, they were high-quality and effective, proving that he is indeed a true playoff performer.
As the Phillies aim to spend more on team upgrades to improve their long-term success, Wheeler will no doubt be getting better and better at the same time, which may eventually put his price beyond the range in which the team has budgeted. To maintain their perennial contending status, it would be wise for the Phillies to act now to secure Wheeler’s services for the long run with a fair-market-value deal before his future performance puts him out of their reach.
On a good note, contract extension talks have already begun between Wheeler and the ballclub, so hopefully, something will get done sooner rather than later. It may be easy to find a starting pitching replacement any time, but finding one of Wheeler’s caliber, who has proven to be one of the most consistent and effective pitchers ever since joining the Phillies, may be tougher than you think.
2. The Phillies need to add a established reliever to their bullpen
During the offseason, the Phillies lost 2023 closer Craig Kimbrel to free agency to the Baltimore Orioles. Despite his shortcomings near the end of the regular season and in the playoffs last year, you can’t take away the fact that he was a rock for their bullpen during the first half of the season when most others were struggling.
Kimbrel didn't blow a single save until after the All-Star break and helped the team save 23 games while posting an additional eight wins. When he was on his game, he was certainly one of the best in the business.
Now without Kimbrel, the Phillies lack an established, proven reliever to take on the closer’s role heading into the 2024 season. Gregory Soto may have done it before with the Detroit Tigers, but it was often accompanied by some nerve-wracking wildness, as exemplified by his high WHIP and walk rate. Even in his best season in 2022, when he notched 30 saves, he also had three blown saves along with a whopping 11 losses, showing that there was always some risk in using him to finish ballgames.
José Alvarado is a more solid option, as he had done it quite successfully in a part-time role for the Phillies in the past. Still, it's hard to predict if the added load and stress of carrying the full-time gig will impact his effectiveness.
The Phillies should add a legitimate bullpen arm who can contribute in the event the team pursues the bullpen-by-committee approach to close out ballgames. With the bulk of the premium arms almost all from the free agent market, only slim pickings remain that could still be viable for the Phillies’ situation.
One remaining ideal candidate is former Phillie Brad Hand. The 13-year MLB veteran has previous successful closing experience with the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians in his prime, including a career-high 34 saves in 2019. On top of that, he had a solid stint with the Phillies in 2022 when he pitched to a solid 2.80 ERA, along with five saves and 13 holds to help the team reach the World Series. The cost to sign Hand shouldn’t be an issue, and the fact he'll be given a chance to pitch for a contending team again could be a win-win situation for both parties.
Otherwise, the Phillies may need to resort to the trade route.
3. The Phillies should add a starting pitcher to form a “big three”
The Phillies’ starting rotation appears more or less set for 2024, with the big two of Nola and Wheeler, to go along with Taijuan Walker, Ranger Suárez, and Cristopher Sánchez. That's a solid starting five and should keep them in contention for the most part.
But with many teams around the league starting to invest their resources into forming a “big three” for their front ends of the rotation, the Phillies may need to follow suit to give themselves a chance to compete. With all due respect to Walker, Suárez, and Sánchez, they are solid rotation pieces but not front-end, potential ace-like material.
As a result, they should pursue one more big arm to add to their rotation. The best candidate for that role is reigning NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell. Not only would he instantly transform the Phillies into perennial contenders, but he also has the stuff that could make him a No. 1 starter in the rotation. The fact that there hasn’t been much interest in Snell so far works in favor of the Phillies, as he can potentially be recruited with a shorter-term, more economical deal.
But if that doesn’t work out, there’s always a great consolation prize in reigning World Series champion Jordan Montgomery to fall back on. He may be just a tier under Snell, but Montgomery has proven to be a front-end starter for much of his career with a lifetime 3.68 ERA and 1.21 WHIP, along with three postseason appearances and a World Series ring to boot in his seven years in the big leagues. He would fit nicely as the team’s No. 3 starter behind Nola and Wheeler. The main thing is that the Phillies need to act soon before the market heats up even more for both players.
4. The Phillies should make sure Merrifield plays every day
Prior to the signing of Merrifield, the Phillies appeared to have their everyday lineup pretty much set with J.T. Realmuto, Alec Bohm, Trea Turner, Bryson Scott, Bryce Harper manning the infield, and Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas, and Nick Castellanos covering the outfield, with Kyle Schwarber taking over the DH duties.
Now, with the addition of Merrifield, it could complicate things. Does Merrifield get a starting gig, or should he be the team’s super-sub utilityman off the bench?
It seems harsh to alter what was already working for the Phillies last season, but to maximize Merrifield’s value and give the team the best chance at winning, he needs to be in the lineup every day. As a three-time All-Star, Merrifield has shown that he can get things done on the field, at the plate, and on the basepaths.
It’s easy to forget that he twice led the American League in hits, and thrice in stolen bases as well. With the capability of putting up close to 90 runs scored, 40 doubles, double-digit home runs, 70 RBI and 30 stolen bases while maintaining a solid batting average above .280 per season over a 162-game pace, you don’t leave a weapon like that out of the lineup at any time.
Last year, he put his doubters to bed by showing that he still has lots left in his game when he batted .272 with 66 runs scored, 27 doubles, 11 home runs, 67 RBI and 26 stolen bases in 145 games.
If Marsh isn’t ready to start the season on Opening Day, Merrifield should get one of the outfield spots. When Marsh makes it back or if he is good to go for Opening Day, manager Rob Thomson will need to find a way to keep Merrifield in the lineup, whether in the infield, outfield or at DH.
No matter what, they shouldn't waste his skills and talent on the bench, except on his rest days. Therefore, expect a lot of flex and rotational moves throughout this upcoming season by Thomson to ensure that the Phillies have the best possible lineup each day, with Merrifield being an integral part.
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