Phillies: New rotation target for 2018
By Tal Venada
Hectoring:
If you’ve ever lived or died with a closer, you are familiar with the current tormentor: Hector Neris. On the other hand, nerve-racking firemen are more common than their lights-out counterparts.
Yes, Neris makes the faithful nervous, and it’s contagious. But he saved 19 of 19 opportunities in the second half with a 2.48 ERA. Is he improving?
Over time, the Phillies have had top-tier closers and firemen who were pyromaniac-like. Is Neris the worst? No, nowhere near that.
In 1993, the red pinstripes had Mitch Williams, and he didn’t make you nervous. No, Wild Thing made you crazy! You almost heard Harry Houdini applauding from the beyond with every save!
"ONLY YOU: “I pitch like my hair is on fire.” – Mitch “Wild Thing” Williams"
Spending money wisely or foolishly is often an after-the-fact question with few exceptions, and being well under the competitive balance threshold is like an oasis in the desert. But Klentak–not you–will have to live with his decision in 2023, whether that superstar will be 30 or 37 years-of-age.
Well, the best way to get questions is apparently having someone start with the first one. So, here it is. If Klentak can only sign one top-dollar free agent in 2018, 2019 or 2020, who would you want?