Another relief pitcher who the Philadelphia Phillies were rumoured to be interested in is no longer available. This familiar circumstance and headline have become the norm during an offseason in which the front office has done little to improve the on-field product, with less than two weeks until spring training begins. Any day now, Dave?
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, Phil Maton, a former Houston Astros reliever, is on the verge of signing with the Tampa Bay Rays. Watching the Phillies lose a free agent to the usually frugal Rays is a new low for a team that has spent money in recent offseasons in pursuit of a World Series championship.
A scarcity
The Phillies’ bullpen is good yet uncertain as they enter the 2024 season. Following an incredible meltdown in the 2023 NLCS, which robbed them another World Series berth, the Phillies bullpen has obvious concerns as spring training begins. After letting October’s scapegoat, Craig Kimbrel, leave in free agency this offseason, who will close games for the Phillies in 2024? Could we be looking at the dreaded “closer-by-committee” setup in the ninth?
The Phillies have been linked to several of the best arms available this winter. Recently, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer linked them to Maton and Jacob Junis (subscription required). Nothing.
And who can forget the enthusiasm surrounding the Jordan Hicks and Robert Stephenson watch, sparked by Jon Heyman of the New York Post? There’s nothing to see here, Phillies supporters.
The Phillies may still be interested in Junis or another relief pitcher as pitchers and catchers report to spring training, but this appears to be an offseason in which the Phillies will stick with their current squad.
With NL opponents like the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Chicago Cubs improving, it’s time for the Phillies to invest in bullpen upgrades.
Leave a Reply