Bob Nightingale Ignites The Phillies Hot Stove With Cody Bellinger Rumor
The Phillies have been quiet this season. They re-signed Aaron Nola early in the off-season, and have barely made a peep since. To the point that it has become concerning. While the Dodgers and Braves added to their already stacked rosters, the Phillies have stood pat thus far. But the hot stove may finally be heating up. Because Bob Nightengale recently dropped a bomb on Phillies fans, hidden in his MLB Notebook, that the Phillies could be in on Cody Bellinger and Jordan Montgomery.
“Several executives think the Philadelphia Phillies could be a sleeper for one of the remaining marquee free agents in starter Jordan Montgomery or center fielder Cody Bellinger. Their lone big move has been re-signing Aaron Nola, and Bellinger certainly would provide Gold Glove-caliber defense and another bat to balance the lineup. Montgomery would strengthen the top of the rotation.”
Bellinger is a 2-time All-Star and a former MVP. But he hit a major rut following his MVP season. In 2019 he hit .305 with 47 HRs. In the 3 seasons after that, he hit a combined .203 with 31 HRs. it led to the Dodgers cutting ties. But he found a new life with the Cubs. Last season he hit .307 with 26 HRs, 20 steals, and an OPS of .881.
If he came here, it would likely be to play Center Field. Bellinger has moved all around the Outfield in his career, but Center is where he has the most games logged. And while his defense is probably better in Right, center is where the Phillies would have the biggest hole. Johan Rojas would likely play there if the Phillies can’t land Bellinger. But while he brings an elite glove to the team, his bat left much to be desired. Bellinger would instead give them an above-average glove, and an elite bat. You could also put him in Left, with Marsh in Center. Depending on what the team thinks is best.
As for Jordan Montgomery, he would give the Phillies a 4th playoff-worthy starter. Last season Montgomery had a 3.20 ERA across 32 games with the Cardinals and Rangers. In the playoffs, he had a 2.90 ERA and 3 wins on his way to helping the Rangers win the World Series. He would be either the Phillies 3rd or 4th starter. Giving them a playoff rotation of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Jordan Montgomery, and Ranger Suarez. That rotation would have a combined 183 innings pitched in the playoffs, with an ERA of 2.70.
It is still just rumors. But in the freezing cold that has been this MLB off-season for the Phillies, it is the closest thing we have had to a hot stove. Either Cody Bellinger or Jordan Montgomery would make a huge difference for the Phillies. You are either getting a 4th starter to make your already great rotation that much better, or you are adding a former MVP to your lineup. These are the types of moves the Phillies need to make if they want to get over the hump and finally win.
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Every Number The Phillies Have Retired, and 3 They Should
#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)
#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.
