Although the Phils have been in rebuilding mode for quite some time, July 31st, 2015 could be consider the “official” start to a new era of Phillies baseball.
The ink finally dried on the Cole Hamels trade to the Texas Rangers, bringing six players to Philadelphia, five of them regarded with enough upside to part of the Phillies next contender, at least three years from now. Outfielder Nick Williams and catcher Jorge Alfaro headline that group, filling two significant needs in the organization. If all goes according to plan, these two should see starting spots in the lineup by 2017.
But there is still a season to be played between now and then. Hamels, along with closer Jonathan Papelbon, OF Be Revere are no longer here. Chase Utley, Aaron Harang, and Jerome Williams are others whose spot on this year’s Opening Day roster will most certainly be occupied by someone else on April 4th, 2016…but who?
Andy McPhail and whomever he chooses as GM going forward will make that call. And that man will choose who will manage this group, but we’ll see if we can assist the brand new front office and get a jump start on the roster ahead of time.
The entire infield seems like a lock to return. Third baseman Mikael Franco is a star in the making and the centerpiece of this team. Shortstop Freddy Galvis has held his own with the bat and will hold down the position for one more year before the jewel of the minor-league system, J.P. Crawford, takes over. Cesar Hernandez has been the most pleasant surprise and has already dispatched the iconic Chase Utley at 2b.
Ryan Howard could conceivably be paid to pack his bags, but with only one year and the option left on his deal, there will no harm in having him return to finish his Phillies career with a little dignity. It’s not as if there is a 1b in waiting. Darin Ruf has proving not to be the answer, so why not allow Howard and his $25M play out the string and see if he can be a deadline deal in 2016 with the possibility that an AL team will need some LH power down the stretch.
Rule 5 selection, Odubel Herrera, has earned the CF job with his play since the break. He’s hit .450 in the in that time and has played exceptional defense. He leads all rookies in doubles, with 22 and raised his overall season average to .288, best among Phils starters.
Chooch and Rupp will take care of the catching duties for one more season. Alfaro should be ready for at least a backup role in 2017 and Ruiz’ $8M salary will keep him in Phils pin strips until, at least, mid-season, unless Cole Hamels can convince Texas GM Jon Daniels that he needs to be reunited with his old backstop.
The rest of the roster needs shaping, especially the starting pitchers. Aaron Nola is the only given in next year’s rotation. I think the Phillies faithful have seen enough of Jerome Williams, Aaron Harang, and the oft-injured Chad Billingsley. Even a team with Sam Hinke –like goals to ignore victories and hoard talent for the next few years, still needs 25 guys each night. David Price, Jordan Zimmerman, and Justin Upton will not be coming through Philadelphia on their respective free-agent tours.
These are free-agents to be that could has some interest to Philadelphia in 2016.
SP Doug Fister– The 31-year old has been a solid middle of the rotation guy for years and was the Nats more consistent pitcher in 2014. But 2015 has been a huge disappointment that has now seen him exiled to the bullpen in favor of rookie Joe Ross. He has been a put up solid numbers since 2010 for the Mariners, Tigers, and Nationals. The right-hander would also be a solid veteran presence to help the development of Aaron Nola. Fister will need a 1-year deal recoup some value to try the market again in 2017. He is earning $11.4M in his final year of arbitration. A one-year deal offer of $10M-$12M range
SP Bud Norris – Disaster doesn’t even begin to cover his 2015 season. Following a 15-win season and helping the Orioles to the post-season in 2014, Norris is 2-9, with a 7.09 ERA. He was demoted to the bullpen in early July. The 30-year old will most certainly need a short deal to bring his value back to respectable. He shouldn’t see anywhere near the $8.8M he is making this year. A return to the National League might be what ails him.
OF Drew Stubbs – Stubbs was a guy Ruben Amaro had some interest in a few years back before the Reds traded him to Cleveland. He wound up in Colorado in 2014 and showed why he was once regarding as one of the best young OF prospects in baseball. That season, he hit .289, 15 HR’s, 22 doubles, and 30 SB in just 132 games, mostly filling in for injured start OF Carlos Gonzalez. Stubbs was unable to duplicate those numbers this year and with the Rockies depth, demoted him to AAA. A natural CF with power from the right side, Stubbs could see time in each of the 3 OF spots, with Asche, Herrera, and Brown are all LH. He is 30-year and will not be looking for everyday money. Stubbs will see a small fraction of the $5.825M he is making this season. He would be a good transitional signing while youngsters Nick Williams, Roman Quinn, and Aaron Altherr get more seasoning.
OF Matt Joyce – The team has been lacking punch off the bench since the Greg Dobbs era. Joyce has floundered in Anaheim this year, but could still generate a little pop late in the ball game. He averaged 18 HR’s per season from 2011-2013 and will come cheap, possible on a minor-league invite.
OF Colby Rasmus – Once the crowning jewel of the Cardinals system, Rasmus has a big falling out with then manager Tony LaRussa, which got him dealt to Toronto in 2012. He has had three seasons of 20+ home runs, but his average has dipped each of the two years, with a career low of .225 in 2014. Once a CF, Rasmus is better fit for the corners and with Cody Asche not providing the punch necessary for a corner OF, Rasmus could be a nice reasonably priced option that could hit 25 in Citizen Bank Park.
RP Tommy Hunter – Recently traded from the Orioles to the Cubs, Hunter has been a solid setup man for a few years now. His fastball reaches the upper 90’s, although fairly straight. He gets his share of ground balls and has had some experience closing (11 saves in 2014 for Baltimore). Hunter would make a nice bridge to new closer Ken Giles and heading into his age 30-season, a two-year of around $3.5M per would make some sense.
OF Jeff Francoeur– Yes, the Jeff Francoeurcurrently on the Phils bench, Frenchy has provided a nice veteran spark and much-needed leadership. He even provided two innings out of the bullpen during a blowout in Baltimore that will define the Ryne Sandberg managerial ear in Philadelphia. Franceour has provided some late inning heroics, solid defense in the OF, and a voice that this young team needs in this time of transition. The middle of the order bat, winning gold gloves in Atlanta is long gone, but his leadership is certainly worth a one-year, $2M deal.
