Last season, the Philadelphia Phillies had one of baseball’s strongest rotations. All four of their top starters enjoyed excellent performances, but Taijuan Walker, who started in the fifth position, was so awful that it hurt the team as a whole.
With 15 starts, Walker recorded a 7.10 ERA, -1.6 WAR, 1.72 WHIP, and seven losses with the Phillies. Philadelphia failed to address the rotation at the trade deadline despite the fact that he was completely unplayable.
The Phillies have several options for replacing Walker now that the winter has begun, including using the trade market and free agency.
Raising star prospect Andrew Painter to the major leagues is the Phillies’ most clear and straightforward solution. Despite missing a whole season and a half due to elbow issues and ultimately Tommy John surgery, Painter would probably already be in the major leagues.
The painter has returned, looking strong and robust. He gets the chance to prove himself at the rear of the Philadelphia rotation for the full offseason and Spring Training. The Phillies will have the game’s greatest fifth starter if he can return to his pre-surgery pitching form.
The Phillies may look at the trade market if Painter doesn’t appear ready to go. Since this list contains two trade pieces, let’s examine Sonny Gray, the star player for the St. Louis Cardinals, who is the less expensive choice.
It is anticipated that the Cardinals would shop Gray around as they begin a rebuild. Gray has complete influence over if and where he is transferred because of his no-trade clause, which may significantly lower his price.
If the Phillies aren’t prepared to send Painter to the major leagues, they might try to get the Cardinals’ ace in a trade because the right-hander still looks like an ace.
There are several top-tier pitchers available in free agency, including Blake Snell and Corbin Burnes. However, Jack Flaherty of the Los Angeles Dodgers is on the tier beneath that.
The Dodgers won the 2024 World Series thanks in large part to Flaherty, who is only expected to get a three-year, $60 million contract, according to Spotrac. Flaherty would be far less expensive than the other elite pitchers available, which would be ideal for the Phillies’ current strategy.
Lastly, we examine what would be the ideal candidate for the position—albeit the most difficult to recruit. It’s Garrett Crochet, the star of the Chicago White Sox.
This is the move to make if the Phillies feel comfortable trading some of their best prospects. However, it’s unclear how at ease Philadelphia is with this.
