Philadelphia On February 14, the Phillies’ pitchers and catchers will begin Spring Training in Clearwater, Florida. They will go 100 feet from BayCare Ballpark’s clubhouse to Carpenter Complex for the first formal session.
Currently, nearly all of the players that competed in the October NLCS at Citizens Bank Park are still there.
If things continue that way, it will be unexpected.
“As far as we’re concerned, getting [Aaron] Nola back was our No. 1 goal, and then we improved around the edges,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson stated on Wednesday in a media availability. We’ll have to wait and see as there are still a lot of players.
Nola inked a seven-year, $172 million contract with the Phillies in November. With the exception of an unexpectedly intense pursuit of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who inked a $325 million contract with the Dodgers, they have been silent ever since. Due to his age and potential, the Phillies made an exception for Yamamoto, 25, but insiders have stated that they have no intention of changing course and going after the other major free agents available, like as Josh Hader and Blake Snell.
Naturally, things might get more desperate the longer players stay on the market.
However, sources stated late last month that Zack Wheeler’s contract extension is the top priority for this spring.
That remains unchanged.
On Wednesday, Nola stated, “I hope we can.” Really, I’m hoping we can. I’ve
“I sincerely wish he can stay with us for more time. He is very much needed by us. He has contributed so much to this group and this company.
Wheeler will not come cheap; his deal is for one more year. And he shouldn’t. Over the last four seasons, his 19.6 bWAR and 19.3 fWAR are the most in baseball. With at least ten starts, his 2.42 playoff ERA ranks sixth in MLB history.
Nola is three years younger than Wheeler, who is 33. He would be 41 when his seven-year deal, similar to Nola’s, expires. Given Wheeler’s skill, accomplishments, and significance, it is not out of the question that that will occur; but, Wheeler may also choose to accept a shorter-term contract with a larger AAV (average annual value).
39-year-old Max Scherzer inked a $130 million, three-year contract that extends through 2024 ($43.33 million AAV). The forty-year-old Justin Verlander inked a two-year, $86.7 million contract that begins
But no matter what happens with the springtime discussions over a deal, Wheeler will be starting for the Phillies in 2024.
Philadelphia still desires further pitching depth. It is the other top goal for the group.
Over the course of a year, “you’re going to need eight or nine starters,” according to Thomson. All teams, though, do. Thus, the rotation depth is crucial.
The Phillies did not bring in a replacement for reliever Craig Kimbrel in the bullpen after he inked a one-year contract with Baltimore. In response to the question of whether the Phillies should acquire an experienced reliever to replace Kimbrel, Thomson stated, “We’ve got a lot of that now.” I would be OK with where we are right now if nothing occurred. Connor Brogdon, Andrew Bellatti, and Junior Marte are still with us.
José Alvarado, Seranthony Domínguez, Matt Strahm, Jeff Hoffman, and Gregory Soto are also members of this ensemble. Although it would take a very special circumstance for Orion Kerkering to miss the roster, Thomson expressed his desire to see Kerkering land a position in spring.
Regarding his talent level and position in the bullpen, Thomson stated, “He’s way up on my list.”
The Phillies said that they are not looking for the traditional fourth outfielder, which may mean that Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas would have to share playing time. Rojas has to perform well and almost every day for the Phillies. He may spend some time in Triple-A if he struggles.
The Phillies would be shorthanded in the outfield if that were to occur.
“Jake Cave and Cristian Pache are still with us,” Thomson remarked. “Once more, there are a ton of competitors on the market. Numerous events occur in the run-up to Spring Training, which is why we are not sending out non-roster invites for the Spring Training since we anticipate a surge of interest in signings.
