MLB Power Rankings: Post Winter Meetings

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 11: Giancarlo Stanton is introduced as a member of the New York Yankees during the 2017 Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort on Monday, December 11, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

7 of 30

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 8: Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians singles during Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees at Yankees Stadium on Sunday, October 8, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

24. Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off another 90-loss season as they look to rebuild from the end of their last championship window. If the early weeks of the offseason are any indication, the Phillies are feeling confident that their rebuilding days could be coming to an end. They walked away from the Winter Meetings with relievers Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter. The biggest move came at the end of the week, as the Phillies swooped in to sign first baseman Carlos Santana to a three-year deal for $60 million.

The $60 million for Santana is a definite overpay, but that is something the Phillies have to be willing to do in order to draw a player like Santana away from a winning environment in Cleveland to a team that might not win until the final year of the contract. The 31-year-old has a reputation as one of the best on-base hitters in the league. In eight years with the Indians, Santana hit .249/.365/.445 with an average of 25 home runs and 85 RBI per 162 games.

Santana will be a stabilizing presence in a young lineup that is waiting for Maikel Franco to take the next step. It’s still unclear where exactly everyone will play with Santana on the roster. Rhys Hoskins moved between the outfield and first base last year, and Aaron Altherr, Odubel Herrera and Nick Williams all played well in the outfield. Perhaps one would become available in a trade to acquire an established starter.

Adding Santana, Neshek and Hunter is not enough to make the Phillies a winner in 2018, but it will put them on a faster path back to respectability. That will help when it comes time to open the checkbook to bid on what is setting up to be one of the best classes of free agents in MLB history.

Home/MLB