Despite re-signing Aaron Nola earlier this summer, the Philadelphia Phillies don’t appear to be satisfied with their rotation, as they pursued Yoshinobu Yamamoto and have been linked to other quality arms. That appears to contradict Dave Dombrowski’s statement about being OK with their current starting rotation, but the Phillies have shown in recent years that they are prepared to be aggressive. While pitchers are getting the most attention in the market right now, ESPN Senior Writer David Schoenfield predicts they will focus on a bullpen makeover and sign Jordan Hicks, one of the finest on the market.
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“Hicks is a power arm and the Phillies and Dombrowski has been all-in on power relievers of late,” he writes in his article. This would undoubtedly be appreciated by Philadelphia fans. Despite having a top-seven bullpen ERA (3.58) last season, the unit has been difficult to trust throughout the years. Adding a guy like Hicks, who had a terrific career trajectory before being sidelined by injury, would be a fantastic addition.
In 2023, the 27-year-old had a breakout season, with a 3.29 ERA in 65 outings. He was even better after being moved from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Toronto Blue Jays, with an ERA of 2.63 and an ERA+ of 164 in 25 appearances. Schoenfield noted velocity, which Hicks possesses in spades.
He’s one of the hardest throwers in the game and would fit in perfectly with way the Phillies’ bullpen is set up. While most people are focusing on Josh Hader, Hicks would be a far better financial fit for Philadelphia, with a calculated market value AAV of just under $3.5 million, according to Spotrac.
Given that he’s one of the greatest bullpen components available, the hard-throwing righty will almost certainly receive a contract worth more than that figure, but he won’t break the Phillies’ bank like Hader.
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