Fansided

One free agent each MLB team needs to target this offseason

By Joshua Sadlock

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 14: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning at Nationals Park on June 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 14: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning at Nationals Park on June 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Phillies: Anthony Rendon

The Phillies were expected to sign either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado last winter, and they ultimately settled on Harper, believing he would be a better fit for the City of Brotherly Love. Everything had been building towards the Phillies making a huge push with free agents at the end of their lengthy rebuilding process, and the front office did not disappoint. Results, however, have been mixed so far.

Philadelphia is just 161-163 over the past two seasons and fired manager Gabe Kapler, replacing him with Joe Girardi. Big moves to sign Harper, Jake Arrieta, Carlos Santana and trade for J.T. Realmuto and Jean Segura have not paid off. For all their efforts to build an elite farm system, the Phillies have gotten very little from some of their biggest prospects. Aaron Nola is the only player drafted and developed by the Phillies who can be considered a definitive win for the front office.

When a long-term rebuild does not yield a young core of All-Stars like the Cubs or Astros, a team like the Phillies has no other choice but to try and force it to work with free agents. Harper needs a second star in the lineup to return to his MVP levels of production, so why not try and reel in his former teammate Anthony Rendon.

Signing Rendon would be a double win for the Phillies, who would also be weakening the Nationals in the process.

Philadelphia ranked just eighth in the NL in runs scored, 11th in home runs and ninth in OPS last season. Rendon is the best hitter on the market, and the Phillies have an obvious need at third base with Maikel Franco’s stock trending toward all-time lows.

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