Off-Season Grades to Date: NL East
Sep 8, 2014; The Phillie Phanatic folds his arms and mimics the stance of umpires Ed Hickox (15) and Tim Welke (3) during a game at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Phillies
SHORT TERM GRADE: F
LONG TERM GRADE: D
Payroll state:
- 2013 Opening Day Payroll: $159.5 million
- 2014 Opening Day Payroll: $177.7 million
- 2015 Projected Payroll: $140 million
Key Additions:
- Grady Sizemore (FA, was with Philadelphia in 2014)
- Jerome Williams (FA, was with Philadelphia in 2014)
Key Losses:
- A.J. Burnett
- Wil Nieves
- Kyle Kendrick
- Jimmy Rollins (in trade w/Dodgers for LHP Tom Windle, RHP Zach Eflin)
While the Mets were “boring”, the Phillies seem to be in a total vapor lock. This is partly due to the contracts they are holding, but also partly due to sheer inaction on the part of GM Reuben Amaro, Jr.
The Phillies do have some trade chips that they could use, though they are demanding high prices for each and every one. As a result, only one trade has been made: the Rollins deal. Frankly, they were pretty lucky to get what they did: a second round pick from 2013 (Windle) plus a middling prospect in Eflin.
That deal, plus losing Burnett, has helped their bottom line a bit, though nothing has come from that. Philadelphia has not used that cash to help move any of its $20 million-plus players (they have three: Ryan Howard, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels) or Jonathan Papelbon ($13m).
The Phillies rotation hangs by a thread. Burnett is gone. Kendrick is gone. Beyond Hamels and Lee are three unproven quantities and little depth. Their outfield consists of Dominic Brown, Ben Revere, and another trade chip: Marlon Byrd. Virtually nothing has been done to add depth, add offense, add pitching, or bolster the bullpen. Rule 5 draft picks don’t constitute an ‘off-season makeover’.
Jon Paul Morosi is reporting (on XM radio this morning) that they are still trying to move Byrd – a deal was apparently made to get him to Cincinnati last week, but that fell apart… for now.
Other Transactions:
- Rule 5 Draft: LHP Andy Oliver, 2B Odubel Herrera
- Traded LHP Antonio Bastardo to Pittsburgh for LHP Joely Rodriguez
- Signed 1B Chris McGuiness (minor league deal)
- Signed RHP Sean O’Sullivan (minor league deal)
OVERALL: The best that the Phils can possibly hope for is to stay healthy for 2015. If that happens, they might challenge for … 4th place. But if their typical level of injuries occur, this could be the worst team in baseball. But I see no real direction, and thus the Phils appear to be playing out the string… until Ryan Howard’s contract expires.