This is the second in a series to see how the NL East has changed and how those changes may impact the Atlanta Braves in 2021.
The Phillies had high hopes for the shortened 2020 season, but faded badly down the stretch to finish at 28-32, a full seven games behind the Atlanta Braves and only good enough for third place.
How bad of a September swoon was that? Philadelphia lost 7 of their last eight games and 12 of their last 17. After September 8, they were still 4 games above .500. But poor showings against the Marlins, Rays, and Nationals did them in.
The question now, is this: have they improved their lot for 2021? Let’s start with the transactions.
SUBTRACTIONS:
- RHP Brandon Workman
- RHP Tommy Hunter
- RF Jay Bruce
- RHP Jake Arrieta
- LHP Jose Alvarez
- RHP David Robertson
- RHP David Phelps
- LHP Garret Cleavinger traded to Dodgers (3-way w/Rays)
- RHP Carson Ragsdale traded to Giants
- RF Kyle Garlick DFA (claimed by Braves; later claimed again by Twins)
- RHP Victor Arano DFA (claimed by Braves)
- LHP Cole Irwin traded to Oakland/cash considerations
- RHP Johan Quezada traded to Cardinals/cash considerations
ADDITIONS:
- RHP Johan Quezada claimed via waivers (Marlins)
- RHP Rodolfo Sanchez acquired via trade from Rays (NRI; spring invite)
- RHP Ian Hamilton claimed via waivers (Mariners); later DFA and claimed by Twins
- SS Kyle Holder claimed via waivers (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders ); later traded to Reds for cash considerations
- LHP Jose Alvarado acquired via trade from Rays (3-way w/Dodgers)
- RHP Neftali Feliz signed (minor lg/spring invite)
- C Christian Bethancourt signed (minor lg/spring invite)
- RHP Michael Ynoa signed (minor lg/spring invite)
- 2B Ronald Torreyes signed (minor lg/spring invite)
- RHP Sam Coonrod acquired via trade from Giants
- RHP Archie Bradley signed
- RHP David Paulino signed (minor lg)
- SS C.J. Chatham acquired via trade from Red Sox
- RHP Mike Adams signed (minor lg)
- RHP Bryan Mitchel signed (minor lg)
- RHP Ivan Nova signed (minor lg/spring invite)
- RHP Hector Rondon signed (minor lg/spring invite)
- RHP Brandon Kintzler signed (minor lg/spring invite)
- LF Matt Joyce signed (minor lg/spring invite)
- CF Travis Jankowski signed
- C Jeff Mathis signed (minor lg/spring invite)
- SS Brad Miller signed
OTHER/RE-SIGNINGS:
- Catcher J.T. Realmuto signed, then broke a finger (5 years/$115.5m)
- SS Didi Gregorius signed (2 years/$28m; not yet in camp)