The Philadelphia Phillies finally have a light at the end of the tunnel. Despite losing 99 games in 2015, the most in baseball, the Phillies have a replenished farm system, a new manager and a new general manager ready to embark on the slow and difficult process of rebuilding the Phillies into one of the league’s top teams.
It’s really difficult to see a scenario in which the Phillies reach the postseason in 2016, or even 2017. They’re trending in the right direction with top prospects like J.P. Crawford, Andrew Knapp, Nick Williams and Jake Thompson, but it’s hard to see any of those players becoming regular starters for another year or two.
That raises the difficult question of how the Phillies should handle free agency this offseason. Should they spend big bucks on big-ticket players like Yoenis Cespedes, David Price and Johnny Cueto? Or should they view free agency as an opportunity to rebuild with a key piece here and there?
Logic says the Phillies will take a cautious approach in free agency this offseason. They simply can’t throw hundreds of millions at young talent when the team won’t be ready to compete for another two or three seasons. It’s just not worth it. That’s assuming they would even be able to land a player like Zack Greinke or Jason Heyward, and I’m not sure why a star would choose Philadelphia as his top landing spot.
Below are five low-risk, high-reward players the Phillies and new general manager Matt Klemtak should choose to pursue during the winter months.
1 – Wilin Rosario, 1B, Colorado Rockies
In 2012, Wilin Rosario looked like he could be the next great catcher. The 23-year-old clubbed 28 home runs for the Colorado Rockies, finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting. But Rosario’s career has really tailed off over the last three seasons. He switched to first base in 2015, but played in just 87 games, with six home runs and 29 RBIs. Still only 26 years old, Rosario is a fringe MLB starter, but he has the skillset to fill in at both catcher and first base. With the Phillies desperately looking to get rid of Ryan Howard this offseason, a player like Rosario could split time at first base with Darin Ruf, or even fill in at catcher as needed.
2 – Gerardo Parra, OF, Milwaukee Brewers/Baltimore Orioles
The Phillies desperately need to add an outfielder this offseason, and they’re not going to be able to afford a player like Alex Gordon, Justin Upton or Jason Heyward. It wouldn’t make sense either for them to throw a nine-figure salary at a player whose best years will come before the team is able to compete for a playoff spot. One of my favorite under-the-radar free-agent outfielders is Gerardo Parra, who split the 2015 season between Milwaukee and Baltimore. He batted .291 with 14 home runs and 14 stolen bases, although he played significantly better for Milwaukee (.328 batting average) than after he was traded to Baltimore (.237 batting average). With the Phillies, Parra could play either of the corner outfield positions. He’s actually seen substantial time at all three outfield spots, both in 2015 and throughout his career, and he’s won a Gold Glove award for his play in both left field (2011) and right field (2013).
3 – Jeff Samardzija, SP, Chicago White Sox
The goal for the Phillies and new general manager Matt Klemtak this offseason should be acquiring low-risk, high-reward players, usually a veteran coming off a down year. Jeff Samardzija fits that category perfectly. In 2015, he was one of the worst starting pitchers in baseball, leading the American League in hits allowed (228), home runs (29) and earned runs (118). But he was an All-Star in 2014, pitching well for both the Cubs and the Athletics. An obvious bounce-back candidate, perhaps a change back to the National League, where he’s had the most success of his career, would help revive his career.
4 – J.A. Happ, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
The first of two former Phillies players on this list, Happ turned in a really impressive second half of the season for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He won seven of nine decisions, recording a 1.85 earned run average with 69 strikeouts in 63.1 innings. At 32 years old, Happ could likely be acquired on just a one-year deal. On a Phillies’ starting rotation that could use some innings eaters, Happ has a chance to be the third or fourth starter. If he can pitch anywhere close to the level he showed late in 2015, he’s a candidate to be dealt for a prospect next July.
5 – Ryan Madson, RP, Kansas City Royals
Ryan Madson’s comeback during the 2015 season was nothing short of incredible. He should have won the American Lague Comeback Player of the Year award over Prince Fielder. Imagine if you had been told two years ago that Madson would be a key contributor for a world champion team in 2015. After missing all of 2012, 2013 and 2014 with injuries, Madson received an invite to spring training from Kansas City in 2015. He proceeded to turn in the best year of his career, posting a 2.13 earned run average in 63.1 innings. Madson struggled in the ALDS and ALCS, but three scoreless innings in the World Series helped rebuild his free agency value. It’s hard to know how much time Madson has left. He’s 35, but he doesn’t have the typical wear-and-tear of a 35-year-old pitcher, having missed the previous three seasons. Even after his dominant season, I think the Phillies can sign him on a one-year deal. Like their other free-agent signings, Madson is a player the Phillies can flip at the trade deadline for a top prospect, as long as he pitches like he did in 2015.
