5 Starting Pitcher options for the Phillies this offseason

PHILADELPHIA. PA - As the 2022 season trekked on, it became more and more obvious by the day that the Phillies hole at starting pitcher was an issue that needed to be fixed sooner rather than later. Though the trifecta of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Ranger Saurez provided a strong header - It became glaringly clear that the likes of Kyle Gibson, Michael Plassmeyer, and Cristopher Sanchez weren’t going to fill the void at the bottom of the order. However, the Phillies are lucky enough to now have a surplus of $40 Million dollars to spend this offseason, plus another couple of Million before they would eclipse the second threshold of the luxury tax. And with the options afloat in free agency this winter, it’s assured that the Phillies will have a say in the starting pitcher market. Here I will break down my top 5 starters the Phillies could target this offseason, based on; demanded salary, stats, age, and more.

5) Rays, LHP, Ryan Yarbrough: 3-8, 4.50 ERA, 1.375 WHIP, 0.0 WAR, 80.0 IP

Proj Contract: 2-year (Club Opt), $12 Million ($6 Million AAV)

Yarbrough, 30; a late bloomer, not making his debut until the age of 26 in 2018, with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he acted in mainly a long relief role posting a 16-6 record and 3.91 ERA. Over the next three seasons, Yarbrough worked his way into the Rays rotation starting about 75% of the games he played in, all the while posting a 4.47 ERA. While the numbers may not yet be there for the 30-year-old Southpaw, a 5 spot in the rotation or even a long relief role may serve Yarbrough well and possibly turn his career around. If the Phillies did target the former ODU product it would most likely be a short-term 1-2 year type deal presumably totaling somewhere in the neighborhood of $10-$12 million. While he may not be the superstar Phillies fans have pined for, Ryan Yarbrough has potential and would certainly be an interesting signing.

4) Cubs, LHP, Drew Smyly: 7-8, 3.47 ERA, 1.194 WHIP, 1.9 WAR, 106.1 IP

Proj. Contract: 1-year, $5.5 Million

Many fans will remember Drew Smyly from his time with the Phils during the 2019 season. Smyly, 33, was signed midway through the 2019 campaign after being released by the Milwaukee Brewers. “Smiles” posted a 4.45 ERA across 12 starts for the Phils, not good enough to warrant a return in 2020. However, the veteran journeyman would pitch to a 3.96 ERA for the Giants, Braves, and Cubs between 2020 and 2022, leaving some wondering if a reunion would be plausible for the 2023 season. The soon to be 34 year old has had streaks of inconsistent play since entering the league all the way back in 2012, and the question remains as to if/when age will catch up to Smyly. If the Phils were to target the Little Rock native it would most likely be with a deal rendering around 1-year, $4-7 million. It’s hard to say the level of production you’d receive from a streaky veteran like Smyly but if a big move is made in the infield (shoulder nudge, Trea Turner) leaving John Middletons pockets light, a move like this for a vet pitcher could become more realistic than not.

3) Red Sox, RHP, Nathan Eovaldi: 6-3, 3.87 ERA, 1.235 WHIP, 1.5 WAR, 109.1 IP

Proj. Contract: 4-year (4th-year player Opt), $60 Million ($15 Million AAV)

One of the few players remaining from that 2018 Red Sox World Series team, Eovaldi, has consistently headed the Sox rotation in light of the slew of injuries that sidelined former ace Chris Sale over the years. Including last season where the 32-year-old posted a 3.87 ERA with a 6-6 record for a struggling Boston club. Eovaldi is now a free agent for the first time since 2018 when he signed an extension with the Red Sox. Now with star Shortstop Xander Bogarets also hitting the open market, it’s safe to say that Eovaldi will be searching for a new home. In terms of the Phillies, it seems like a nearly perfect fit. It’s not difficult to see the Phillies sliding the 2008 11th-rounder into a 3 or 4 spot in the rotation, with a five-pitch arsenal and a fastball topping out at 100.0 MPH, Eovaldi would be a definite upgrade over what the Phillies possessed in the middle of the order last season.

2) Yankees, RHP, Jameson Taillon: 14-5, 3.91 ERA, 1.128 WHIP, 1.3 WAR, 177.1 IP

Proj. Contract: 5-year, $75 Million ($15 Million AAV)

A former top prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization; Jameson Taillon has proved to be a suitable starter across 6 seasons with the Pirates and more recently the New York Yankees. Posting a 14-5 record with a 3.91 ERA for the Yanks last season, Taillon was an integral part of the New York club's playoff run. The righty has encountered struggles with inconsistency in the past, however, talk amongst analysts and scouts has suggested a change of scenery may be all Taillon needs to take the big step in his pro career. Signing Taillon or any top pitcher on the market this year, for that matter will come at a pretty penny, 5 years $75 million is the max I could see the Houston Texas product warranting.

1. Giants, LHP, Carlos Rodon: 14-8, 2.88 ERA, 1.028 WHIP, 5.4 WAR, 178.0 IP

Proj. Contract: 6-year, $195 Million ($26.5 Million AAV, $26 Million incentives)

Rodon has consistently been heralded as the top pitcher on the market this off-season. Coming off of a career year where he posted a 14-8 record with a 2.88 ERA for an otherwise underwhelming San Fran squad. Rodon is one of the top aces in today's game and if paired with the likes of Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler, could form one of the top rotations in Baseball. Rodon fits the scheme well, as the Phillies other 2 aces are righty's, a hard-throwing lefty at the top of the order would bode well when opposing high-powered offenses. Though at 29, being one of the youngest pitchers on the market, Rodon will no question command one of the largest contracts shed this offseason. With that being said, there is no question that the likes of the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, and Braves will all be targeting the southpaw. A deal in the realm of 5-7 years with $160-$210 Million guaranteed seems like a plausible consummate for Rodon. It will take a lot, but if the Phillies don’t end up with a big name shortstop, Rodon could serve as that bigtime grab that could possibly put the Phils over the edge.