Philadelphia Phillies Must Address Underrated Offseason Need

Author Ricky Bottalico and Colin Newby

January 23rd, 2024 10:34 AM

The “lukewarm” offseason stove hasn’t been the biggest source of excitement for Philadelphia Phillies fans. The hollow tease of a second consecutive World Series appearance left a bad taste, yet Dave Dombrowski has surprisingly remained quiet. Rob Thomson discussed one remaining need that could finally create some offseason news.

“You’re going to need eight or nine starters over the course of the year. Most teams do, anyway. That rotation depth is really important.” -Rob Thomson

Starting Pitching

The Phillies will boast a starting rotation with Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola at the top. Ranger Suarez, Taijuan Walker, and Christopher Sanchez will enter Spring Training as the favorites to fill out the rotation. Who do they anticipate as the additional three or four pitchers who could make starts during the 2024 MLB season? Nick Nelson and Dylan Covey could be in-house options, but they’d need impressive performances in Clearwater to inspire more confidence.

So, the Phillies could sign a free agent starting pitcher. What’s the holdup? Jayson Stark spoke on The Philly Hot Stove Show on 97.5 The Fanatic about one reason starting pitchers on the free agent market haven’t signed yet.

“This is a classic Scott Boras controlled market. He’s got (about) 20 unsigned free agents. He’s got pretty much all the big free agents who are left out there, and Scott doesn’t mind playing the waiting game to try to get teams nervous and get what he wants. It is definitely messing with the whole market.” -Jayson Stark

Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on Feb. 13. Will the stove finally heat up?

Potential Free Agent Candidates

Ricky Bottalico discussed free agents Clayton Kershaw, Jordan Montgomery, and Zach Davies as potential targets to fill the remaining offseason need for the Philadelphia Phillies.

The lure of Kershaw is a potential contract under market value. The future Hall of Famer will turn 36 during Spring Training. He posted an impressive 2.46 ERA in 24 starts for the Dodgers in 2023, but his real value comes with one of the best career track records of any active MLB player.

Other MLB teams looking to make a big splash might outbid the Phillies for Kershaw. Jordan Montgomery might be a more affordable option after seven serviceable seasons with the Yankees, Cardinals, and Rangers.

Davies struggled in 18 starts for the Diamondbacks in 2023. He has been inconsistent in recent seasons, but an affordable contract for a veteran journeyman could be what Rob Thomson is looking for.

Stark also mentioned that he expects top prospect Mick Abel isn’t in line to make the team just yet. The Phillies could instead pursue a veteran on a minor league contract as a low-risk move.

Download the 97.5 The Fanatic app to hear the Philly Hot Stove Show with Ricky Bottalico at 6pm on Wednesday, January 24. Ricky Bottalico will discuss the latest MLB offseason news, including what’s going on with the Phillies.

Every Number The Phillies Have Retired, and 3 They Should

• #1- Richie Ashburn

  2,574 hits, 234 steals, 1322 runs, all while playing great defense in Center field. Richie Ashburn was one of a kind. He was the 2nd player to go onto the Phillies Wall of Fame, has a section of Citizens Bank Park named after him, and of course, had his #1 retired by the Phillies. He also went on to serve as the Phillies Color Commentator for years alongside Harry Kalas

  National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ on Twitter: "Richie Ashburn was born #OTD in 1927. In 15 big league seasons, the Hall of Fame center fielder hit over .300 nine times, retiring with a career .308 batting average. pic.twitter.com/PymUvuZR9k / Twitter"

  Richie Ashburn was born #OTD in 1927. In 15 big league seasons, the Hall of Fame center fielder hit over .300 nine times, retiring with a career .308 batting average. pic.twitter.com/PymUvuZR9k

• #14- Jim Bunning

  Jim Bunning only spent 6 of his 17 seasons with the Phillies. But he made the most of that limited time. Bunning is perhaps best known for his Father’s Day Perfect Game. He is one of just two pitchers to throw a perfect game for the Phillies (we will get to the other guy later). Bunning made 9 All-Star teams, is on the Phillies Wall of Fame, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame as well. Now his number 14 hangs up in Citizens Bank Park, and will never be worn by a Phillies player again.

  Philadelphia Phillies on Twitter: "On this date in 1964, the late Jim Bunning tossed the seventh perfect game in MLB history in a 6-0 victory over the Mets. pic.twitter.com/cP5WNiRNHg / Twitter"

  On this date in 1964, the late Jim Bunning tossed the seventh perfect game in MLB history in a 6-0 victory over the Mets. pic.twitter.com/cP5WNiRNHg

• #15- Dick Allen

  The most recent name to go up there among the retired numbers at Citizens Bank Park. As of now, Allen is the only Phillies player to have his number retired to not be in the Hall of Fame. But that is the MLB’s mistake for not inducting him yet. Allen is definitely deserving of being there. Allen has 351 HRs, 1,119 RBIs, an MVP Award, and 7 All-Star Appearances. The fact that the MLB has continued to snub Allen from the Hall of Fame played a big decision in John Middleton retiring his number 15 in 2020.

  

  (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

• #20- Mike Schmidt

  Schmidt is the best player in Phillies history. There are some others guys you could maybe argue for, but none with the resume of Schmidt. He is also the Greatest 3rd Basemen in baseball history period. 12- All-Star Games, 10 Gold Gloves, 3 MVPs, and a  World Series victory, to go with his 548 HRs and 1594 RBIs. There is a very good reason no Phillies player will ever wear the number 20 ever again.

• #32- Steve Carlton

  Carlton has a strong case to be the best Left-handed Pitcher ever. 4 Cy Youngs. He was the first pitcher to ever accomplish that. He is also one of the rare cases of a trade actually going well for the Phillies. He and Schmidt helped break the Phillies curse and win the first World Series in the history of the franchise. And now no one will ever wear his number 32 again for the Phillies.

  

  (Photo by Chris Gardner-Pool/Getty Images)

• #34-Roy Halladay

  No one spent less time with the Phillies but still had their number retired. Just 4 seasons, only 3 of which went well. But he did more in those few seasons than anyone does in their career. He won a Cy Young, tossed the 2nd Perfect Game in Phillies History, and the 2nd Playoff No-Hitter in MLB History. He sadly passed way before his time, and in the wake of that tragedy, they made the decision to posthumously honor him by retiring his #34.

  MLB on Twitter: "Roy Halladay's No. 34 will be retired by the @Phillies on May 29, the 10th anniversary of his perfect game. pic.twitter.com/qq3bdYdEvA / Twitter"

  Roy Halladay's No. 34 will be retired by the @Phillies on May 29, the 10th anniversary of his perfect game. pic.twitter.com/qq3bdYdEvA

• #36- Robin Roberts

  Robin Roberts pre-dates the Cy Young award, otherwise, he may have a ton of them. He had a 3.41 career ERA, led the league in Complete Games 5 straight times, wins 4 straight times, an strikeouts 2 straight years. He was the first Phillies player to ever go onto the Wall of Fame and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976. Which explains why the Phillies retired his #36.

  National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ on Twitter: "The @Phillies retired Robin Roberts' No. 36 #OTD in 1962 - while Roberts was still an active player. In 14 years in Philadelphia, the righty won a then-team record 234 games. pic.twitter.com/rxCnHTDeCx / Twitter"

  The @Phillies retired Robin Roberts' No. 36 #OTD in 1962 - while Roberts was still an active player. In 14 years in Philadelphia, the righty won a then-team record 234 games. pic.twitter.com/rxCnHTDeCx

• #42- Jackie Robinson

  Jackie never played for the Phillies. But he became the first and only player to have his number retired by every MLB Team. What Jackie Robinson did was so much bigger than baseball. He was an amazing player, but more importantly, he broke the color barrier in the league. His actions allowed so many more all-time great Baseball players to get their chance. The Phillies have their own shameful role to play in that story. But thankfully now they can join the rest of the MLB in honoring his memory by retiring his number 42. Except on Jackie Robinson Day when everyone wears it.

  Talkin' Baseball on Twitter: "In 2007 Ken Griffey Jr. called MLB commissioner Bud Selig's house to ask if he could wear #42 on Jackie Robinson DaySelig called Rachel Robinson to ask her permission, and he came back with a better idea. Now everyone wears it pic.twitter.com/WkD5YpuGvZ / Twitter"

  In 2007 Ken Griffey Jr. called MLB commissioner Bud Selig's house to ask if he could wear #42 on Jackie Robinson DaySelig called Rachel Robinson to ask her permission, and he came back with a better idea. Now everyone wears it pic.twitter.com/WkD5YpuGvZ

• P- Chuck Klein

  The Phillies did not adopt numbered jerseys until 1932, with Klein’s career already underway. And in his 11 years with jersey numbers, he wore 7 different numbers, including 1 (already retired for Ashburn), and 32 (Carlton). So instead of retiring a number Klein had no real connection to, they just went with the Old School P that the Phillies wore during his time with the team. Klein hit 300 HRs, 243 of which came with the Phillies. He also accomplished the elusive Triple Crown in 1933.

  Baseball History Through Stats and Pics on Twitter: "Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Chuck Klein. A 2X All Star, 1X Triple Crown ('33), 1X NL MVP ('32), he played 17 seasons (1928-44'). He hit .320/.379/.543, .922 OPS, 137 OPS+, 300 HR, 1201 RBI, 1168 Runs, 601 Walks, 398 Doubles, 2076 Hits, 46.7 WAR. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/PCCbyiXGOZ / Twitter"

  Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Chuck Klein. A 2X All Star, 1X Triple Crown ('33), 1X NL MVP ('32), he played 17 seasons (1928-44'). He hit .320/.379/.543, .922 OPS, 137 OPS+, 300 HR, 1201 RBI, 1168 Runs, 601 Walks, 398 Doubles, 2076 Hits, 46.7 WAR. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/PCCbyiXGOZ

• P- Grover Cleveland Alexander

  While Klein had too many numbers to pick one to retire, Alexander had no numbers. His entire career came before the Phillies ever wore Jersey numbers. So they had no option but to just put the P there for him. Alexander went into the 3rd ever Hall of Fame Class in 1939. Joining an elite group of players and managers including Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Cy Young, and Connie Mack.

  Baseball In Pics on Twitter: "A famous lineup from a different angle. The inagaural induction class for the Hall of Fame. June 12, 1939 Left to right, front: Eddie Collins, Babe Ruth, Connie Mack and Cy Young. Left to right, rear: Honus Wagner, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Tris Speaker, Napoleon LaJoie, George... pic.twitter.com/IV34WPDm6S / Twitter"

  A famous lineup from a different angle. The inagaural induction class for the Hall of Fame. June 12, 1939 Left to right, front: Eddie Collins, Babe Ruth, Connie Mack and Cy Young. Left to right, rear: Honus Wagner, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Tris Speaker, Napoleon LaJoie, George... pic.twitter.com/IV34WPDm6S

• 3 More That Should Be Retired Eventually

• #6- Ryan Howard

  For 5 years, Ryan Howard was as good as any Power Hitter in the league. It is unfortunate his career got a late start, and injuries forced it to end early. But from 2005-2011 he was a force to be reckoned with. His 382 HRs are 2nd in Phillies history, he won MVP and Rookie of the Year, holds the Phillies Single Season HR Record, and of course, helped them win their 2nd World Series. He absolutely deserves to be up on that Wall with these other 10 players.

• #11- Jimmy Rollins

  Jimmy Rollins should be in the Hall of Fame, but that is an argument for another day. What is even less up for debate is his place among the Phillies whose numbers have been retired. Rollins is in the exclusive 20-20-20-20 club, which is for guys who hit 20 Hrs, 20 Doubles, 20 Triples, with 20 steals. The list is him, Curtis Granderson, Will Mays, and Schulte. Even beyond that MVP season, his whole career here was great. Put the man in the Hall, and put him on the Wall alongside Schmidt, Carlton, and Roberts. No one should ever wear the number 11 again.

• #26- Chase Utley

  As Harry Kalas once said, “Chase Utley, you are the man.” 259 HRs, 233 of which came with the Phillies. He is the least accomplished of the Phillies trio of players from that era. but he is still more than deserving of having his number retired. The guy became a fan favorite just by quietly doing his job, and occasionally dropping a F-Bomb when he finally does say something. Like with Howard’s #6, and Rollins’s #11, no one should ever wear Utley’s #26 ever again.

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Author Ricky Bottalico and Colin Newby

Category:

• Phillies // MLB
• PA Local

Tags:

Clayton Kershaw,MLB Offseason,Philadelphia Phillies