Will payroll allow a push in NL East?
Five issues facing the Phillies:
Holes to fill: President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski wants to acquire starters in center and left field, plus upgrade shortstop and third base, as well as the bullpen. That’s a lot to address with what could be roughly $30 million, since $180 million in salaries are committed counting the $15 million projected to be spent on arbitration-eligible first baseman Rhys Hoskins ($7.5 million), starting pitcher Zach Eflin ($5.5M) and reliever Jose Alvarado ($2 million).
If ownership doesn’t allow payroll to exceed the luxury tax and the threshold remains at $210 million, then Dombrowski is going to have to find some bargains, make a trade or two and perhaps settle for lesser options already on the roster.
Offensive
questions: The Phillies are seeking a true leadoff hitter and another bat to help protect NL MVP Bryce Harper in the middle of the order. They probably must do it with outfielders. Free agent Kyle Schwarber would start in left field and provide power while batting first or fifth, though he’d eat up a good chunk of the remaining payroll before reaching the luxury tax.
Thus far, Phillies ownership hasn’t been willing to surpass the threshold.
Where is
the ‘D’? Unreliable defense tended to make ground balls to shortstop and third base unwanted adventures in 2021. Merely competent replacements would prevent the pitchers on the staff from having to hold their breath anytime the ball went to those spots. Landing a high-level center fielder such as the Rays’ Kevin Kiermaier, a three-time Gold Glover who has been the subject of trade rumors, in a deal would significantly improve the outfield defense.
Girardi on the spot: If Dombrowski gives manager Joe Girardi some help and MLB expands the playoff field, Girardi should have his best chance to reach the postseason in Philadelphia after two mildly disappointing years with the Phillies.
While a beleaguered bullpen and the disappointing acquisitions of closers at the last two trade deadlines gave Girardi
OFFSEASON OUTLOOK
The proposed expansion of the playoff field to four wild-card teams in each league would benefit the Phillies, who have plenty of work to do after signing Corey Knebel (one year, $10 million) and Johan Camargo (one year, $1.4 million).
2021 record
82-80; second place, NL East
excuses for finishing just below or above .500, he hasn’t maximized the talent here.
Starting the opener: Aaron Nola was the Phillies’ opening-day starter for the past four years, but Zack Wheeler had a much better 2021 season than Nola. Wheeler finished a close second in the NL Cy Young race. Wheeler’s ERA of 2.78 in a career-high 2131⁄3 innings was 1.85 better than Nola’s and Wheeler lasted an average of more than one inning longer per start.
While Nola has been the No. 1 guy in these parts, Wheeler should start the opener if it reflects the true ace of the staff.