Fansided

One free agent each MLB team should sign right now

By Joshua Sadlock

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 27: Starting pitcher Alex Cobb
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 27: Starting pitcher Alex Cobb /
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CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 11: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs tosses the ball to first base in the fourth inning during game four of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field on October 11, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 11: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs tosses the ball to first base in the fourth inning during game four of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field on October 11, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Phillies: Jake Arrieta

The Phillies have been viewed as a potential surprise landing spot for Jake Arrieta since the start of the offseason. That his free agency has dragged into Spring Training should do nothing to quell the rumors that Philadelphia is strongly considering making a play on the Cy Young winner. The Phillies are nearing the practical end of their rebuilding phase, and could be spurred to action on the open market if the front office feels Arrieta can contribute to a winner for the majority of the life of his contract.

Much of the rebuilding focus for the Phillies has been on the starting rotation, but only Aaron Nola has made a definitive case for a long-term future in the big leagues as a starter. Vince Velasquez has dazzled at times, but his health was a problem in the minor leagues and is still a problem. The Phillies are not lacking for young talent at every other key spot on the diamond, but making the leap from 75 wins to 85 wins and more will be hard if the starting pitching cannot keep up.

Having stripped their payroll down to almost nothing, the Phillies have already showed this offseason that they have the financial means to make big offers to free agents. Three years and $60 million was an overpay for Carlos Santana, but Philadelphia clearly identified him as a key leader to help mold the likes of J.P. Crawford, Rhys Hoskins, Aaron Altherr and Nick Williams. Center fielder Odubel Herrera and third baseman Maikel Franco could also use some veteran leadership to help their maturation process.

Philadelphia will have the cash on hand to make big offers to Manny Machado or Bryce Harper next year and Mike Trout a few more years down the road. To have any shot at convincing those truly elite stars to come to Philly, there has to be a solid core already in place. Jake Arrieta is a step in that direction.

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