We laughed when the Nationals signed Phillies free agent Jayson Werth to a seven-year, $126 million contract after the 2011 season. The Nationals were in not expected to be in contention in 2012 and their young core was just not ready yet. In the end, the Werth signing worked out for the Nationals, as their young talent grew around Werth and they made the playoffs in 2012. Could the Phillies look to make the same kind of move with perhaps Jason Heyward?
The Phillies like youngster outfielders Aaron Altherr, Odubel Herrera, and Roman Quinn. But, Altherr has shown some tools, but has yet to play any significant time in the Major Leagues. Herrera still has something to prove. Quinn has been injured too much to feel totally confident about. There would definitely be room in the Phillies outfield for Heyward.
Heyward is not an outfield slugger by any means, but is a solid bat who hits about 15 home runs, drives in 60 or so runs, and plays outstanding defense in right field. Heyward is also a left-handed bat that would compliment the Phillies suddenly right-handed lineup. The Phillies have no one to scare opponents before or after Maikel Franco. That is why the Phillies ended up batting Herrera third down the stretch while Franco was injured.
In terms of a first round draft pick, the Phillies would not have to forfeit theirs to pick up Heyward. Of course, they would forfeit their second-round pick, which is almost as if it comes at the very end of the first round. That may be enough for the Phillies to pass on a free agent like Heyward. But, the Phillies have a protected first-round pick and would do so if they finish in the bottom 10 once again in 2016.
The Phillies have the money to pay Heyward. The deal will be long. But, in this day and age, how many free agents are just 26 years old? The youngest free agent outfielders in next year's class are the likes of Michael Saunders and Colby Rasmus, both 30 years old. Unless, Cameron Maybin is appealing to you.
The following year, heading into 2018, J.D. Martinez and Desmond Jennings are the highlight of the outfield free agent class. We will skip free agents such as Ben Revere, Lonnie Chisenhall, and Dustin Ackley. Oh, and Domonic Brown. In other words, there is nothing that major down the pike. Martinez may be the best bat, and he very well may be locked up by the aggressive Detroit Tigers by then.
Over on MLBTradeRumors.com, a reader asked a Heyward-to-Phillies question. Here was Jeff Todd's response:
All told, I just don’t see that scenario lining up. Now, if for some reason Heyward badly misplays his hand and needs to be bailed out come February, then it’d be fascinating to see if new GM Matt Klentak could swoop in. But I expect the club to be focused on other ways to take advantage of its open payroll space to build up the talent base for the future.
Free agents have overplayed their hands in the past, so who knows.
I would expect some surprises from Klentak, but Heyward might not be it. That second round pick might be more valuable to Klentak that having Heyward. For now, the most likely third outfielder next to Altherr and Herrera next year might be a Rule 5 draft pick. More on that later.
