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.
2) Phillies roster concern: The back, front, and middle of the bullpen
Bullpen issues have plagued this ball club for years. Finally, in 2022, it wasn’t a disaster. They had their problems, but it was clearly a major improvement.
The club has brought in Matt Strahm from the Red Sox already and should be on the lookout for more similar or even bigger moves. Seranthony Dominguez is a candidate to close, however, the Phillies would do themselves a huge favor by landing a backup plan. Currently, they don’t really have anyone with the right “stuff” to replace him if needed.
In free agency, Taylor Rogers is a “buy low” candidate to consider. He is another lefty for a bullpen that already has Strahm and Jose Alvarado throwing from that side. The easy solution is to trade Alvarado whose control remains an issue. Plus, with the lasting memory of Yordan Alvarez taking him yard in the World Series, he feels a bit more like Mitch Williams.
Aside from finding a secondary closer, there are other parts of the bullpen the team could improve. Christopher Sanchez is out of options and unless he’s working as the long man doesn’t have much of a spot on the roster. The Phillies will be putting a lot of trust into arms like Andrew Bellatti, Connor Brogdon, and Sam Coonrod if they don’t make another major addition.
The club will also take a look at Noah Song, a Rule 5 Draft pick they landed from Boston this week. He hasn’t pitched professionally since 2019 because of mandatory flight school training to become a Navy pilot. This could be a fun story to watch. Maybe he helps ease one of the Phillies roster concerns.
3) Phillies roster concern: What’s the plan while Bryce Harper is out?
Tommy John Surgery will claim Bryce Harper for at least a couple of months. Where do the Phillies turn in his absence?
It’s nearly impossible for Philadelphia to temporarily find a solution for Harper while he is recovering. Darick Hall, who saw an opportunity to play regularly for the Phillies while Harper was injured last year, is an easy choice. The downside with him is he’s a first baseman/DH. The Phillies roster already has about four of those guys.
The front office will have a time convincing any free agent of significance to sign with them knowing he’ll get pushed aside when Harper does return. Their Opening Day outfield alignment could easily have Kyle Schwarber in left field and Nick Castellanos in right field with Hall as the team’s DH.
Taking a chance on someone like Kevin Kiermaier might be wise for the Phillies. Utility men Nick Maton and Matt Vierling have minor league options remaining. Kiermaier could be a reasonable addition for the club to make with the plan to utilize him as a late-inning defensive replacement. In Harper’s absence, he could even get regular starts in center field with Brandon Marsh in left.
The Phillies will score plenty of runs even while missing Harper. The concern is choosing the right player to make up for it. They shouldn’t rest with the options they already have. A defense-focused outfielder with some upside in his bat might make the most sense.