3 Phillies roster concerns we still have even after signing Trea Turner
By Tim Boyle
Even after signing star shortstop Trea Turner, there are some Philadelphia Phillies roster concerns the front office must address.
The Philadelphia Phillies didn’t waste much time in getting their new shortstop. Trea Turner was one of the first big fish to sign with a new team at the MLB Winter Meetings. He notably took less money to play with them. They’re looking much stronger now with the huge upgrade to their infield.
This isn’t the only move the Phillies have made this offseason. So far, with pieces also added to pitching staff, it looks like Philadelphia isn’t ready to wind it back. They’re looking toward doing more than squeezing into the postseason at the last minute.
The Phillies roster has already improved. Even with Turner and others now representing the City of Brotherly Love, there are some roster concerns fans should still have.
1) Phillies roster concern: They still need another starting pitcher
A downfall of the Phillies in the World Series was with the starting rotation. Throughout the postseason, when it wasn’t Zack Wheeler or Aaron Nola on mound to start things have, there were a lot of questions.
The Phillies let Kyle Gibson go to the Baltimore Orioles and there doesn’t seem to be much interest in bringing back Noah Syndergaard. Zach Eflin is also out of the picture. He’ll suit up for the Tampa Bay Rays. The team has a rotation right now of Wheeler and Nola at the top followed by some combination of Ranger Suarez and Taijuan Walker behind them.
The fifth spot could go to a number of guys. It shouldn’t be Bailey Falter or anyone else currently with the organization.
Carlos Rodon would be the best addition they could make. It doesn’t seem likely. The Phillies can always turn toward a free agent Dave Dombrowski knows well, former Boston Red Sox pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. He seems like a fit for what the rotation needs. He has playoff experience. Eovaldi also won’t cost them an outrageous amount.
The Phillies need one more arm. Because of the length of time remaining on the contracts for Wheeler and Nola, they can go long or short. Snagging one more upgrade to the rotation is what should be priority number one right now.