The Phillies’ Last Rotation Slot

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: Aaron Nola
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: Aaron Nola
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Is Chatwood the Starter the Phillies Need? Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images.
Is Chatwood the Starter the Phillies Need? Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images. /

During the offseason, pitching will be such a high priority that acquiring two veterans will not be out of the question for general manager Matt Klentak of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Competition Reigns Supreme:

When your strategy doesn’t work to complete satisfaction, you initiate Plan B out of necessity and the result is sometimes a combination of both efforts.

After a disappointing 2016 from the outfielders, Klentak added two veterans for the corners with partial success. On the other hand, the rotation of Aaron Nola, Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez and two experienced arms came up short due to injuries and ineffectiveness. But just picking up two hurlers might not be enough: the Phils need more than finesse pitchers because they have them in spades.

This winter, when the front office reconstructs the five-man staff, Nola will be on the mound for Opening Day, and Eickhoff will also have a spot. Both have been here for three campaigns, and management is comfortable with them. That stated, some locals believe Nola would slot second on a good team and third on a championship squad, but they also thought Cesar Hernandez and Freddy Galvis were placeholders and utility infielders. As for Nola, 15 solid outings out of 18 is the performance of a stud: 9-6 with a 2.77 ERA for his last 117 frames. But remember, each of the four aces had thrown one clunker a month, and Nola also has done that.

While Klentak could acquire two vets, he may slightly alter his thinking and sign one free agent to a multi-year deal. Previously, he picked up two starters and expected one to be effective and healthy, but the GM can only gamble on one young arm as the fifth hurler if he does that. As for the market, right-hander Tyler Chatwood would be a two-slot pitcher Klentak would find appealing because he induces a lot of ground balls and avoids hard contact. The righty will be 28 all next summer, has a mid-90’s fastball, and was successful away from Coors Field: He was 5-7 with a 3.49 ERA for 77 1/3 frames.

Regarding the rotation, one fan on the Internet stated Nick Pivetta and Velasquez should be in the pen. Well, they are the only flamethrowers in the group: Those high-velocity arms can survive a mistake or two the others can’t. Additionally, the same poster preferred Ben Lively and Zach Eflin. But although both have been effective at times, can they do it four times out of every five? Lastly, one local didn’t like the free-agent list for starters. And he’s right if you only look on the surface, but Klentak and his competition won’t be doing that.

TOUCHE:   “Actually the adrenaline of the game will probably help me out a little bit to regain command and concentration about the things that I have to do.” – “Pedro el Grande” Martinez
Expect Velasquez To Be the Fifth Starter If the Phils Acquire Two Rotation Pieces. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images.
Expect Velasquez To Be the Fifth Starter If the Phils Acquire Two Rotation Pieces. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images. /

Velasquez and Pivetta have the stuff Klentak and other execs favor. In other words, the extra 5 mph forces hitters to commit earlier, which increases the moundsman’s success. So, if the red pinstripes add two hurlers between Nola and Eickhoff, Velasquez will probably fill the fifth spot.

GAME PLAN: “When the ball is over the middle of the plate, the batter is hitting it with the sweet part of the bat. When it’s inside, he’s hitting it with the part of the bat from the handle to the trademark. When it’s outside, he’s hitting it with the end of the bat. You’ve got to keep the ball away from the sweet part of the bat. To do that, the pitcher has to move the hitter off the plate.” – Don “Big D” Drysdale

In the running also, Mark Leiter and Lively will receive consideration for a second spot if Klentak only adds one rotation piece like Chatwood. Translation: The decision-makers would sign a starter for multiple campaigns to form a one-two punch with Nola. As for the two right-handers, Leiter has six pitches to keep hitters off guard, while Lively is a battler on every pitch.

When spring training begins anew, the faithful will agree on Jake Thompson and Eflin. And disagree! Even Henderson Alvarez might be in the mix if he re-signs with the Philadelphia Phillies. But Thomas Eshelman is an exception: He won’t require a 40-man slot until after 2019 yet could be a non-roster invitee in March. However, Klentak might be reluctant to promote him in April especially with many other control pitchers vying for the starting staff.

Next: Odd Men Out on the Phillies

To reiterate, if the red pinstripes acquire two rotation pieces to go with Nola and Eickhoff, the other pitchers will be competing for one last slot. In other words, two new veterans and Nola will be locks, and Eickhoff has done enough for a spot on Opening Day.

Basically, 2016 had given us up hope for the rotation, 2017 had the promise of a no-quit offense, but what will 2018 provide? Both!

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