The Phillies’ Last Rotation Slot

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"