Philadelphia Phillies 2018 Season Preview
The Philadelphia Phillies were in the midst of a complete rebuild. Based on their moves this offseason, the rebuild may be over sooner than we expect.
Unlike the previous year, 2017 was a struggle for the Philadelphia Phillies from the start. Whereas the 2016 incarnation of the team was at .500 on May 31, last year’s Phillies were 17-34. They fell to last place on May 28, and never climbed out of the basement, finishing with the third worst record in baseball at 66-96.
With that record, one would expect that the Phillies would not be emerging from the rebuild for quite some time. Instead, the Phillies were a major player in free agency. Their acquisitions of Carlos Santana and Jake Arrieta, as well as their complete revamping of the bullpen, show that the Phillies feel they are much closer than their record would seemingly indicate.
However, the Phillies are still a work in progress. Even with Santana and Arrieta in the fold, there are plenty of questions. However, with youngsters such as Rhys Hoskins, Jorge Alfaro, and J.P. Crawford about to make an impact on the lineup, that rebuild is beginning to show the fruits of the Phillies labor. Likewise, Arrieta and Aaron Nola give Philadelphia a nice combination atop the rotation.
The Philadelphia Phillies still have plenty of work left to do. However, they are much closer to contending than they appeared to be at the end of the 2017 campaign.
Philadelphia Phillies additions and subtractions
Key additions: Jake Arrieta, Carlos Santana, Pat Neshek, Tommy Hunter, Francisco Rodriguez
Newcomer to watch: Jake Arrieta. He may not be the pitcher he was back in his heyday with the Chicago Cubs, but Arrieta gives the Philadelphia Phillies something they have lacked since the days of Cliff Lee – a real top of the rotation starter.
Last season was, compared to his previous three campaigns, a struggle for Arrieta. He posted a 14-10 record, along with a 3.53 ERA and a 1.218 WHiP, striking out 163 batters in 168.1 innings. Those were solid numbers; however, there are still reasons for concern. His 4.16 FIP was his highest since his days in Baltimore, as was his 8.0 hits per nine innings. Arrieta also uncorked 14 wild pitches, leading the league in that category for the second consecutive season.
Although there is reason to wonder if the Phillies made the right move with his three year contract, what Arrieta means to the team may outweigh his contributions. His signing shows that Philadelphia believes in the core that they have built, and that they are willing to bring in the pieces they need. Arrieta, perhaps more than any other signing, is a sign of hope for the franchise.
Key losses: Freddy Galvis, Hyun Soo Kim, Daniel Nava
Biggest loss: Freddy Galvis. At best, Galvis was a placeholder until J.P. Crawford was ready. With his trade to San Diego, the Phillies have decided that Crawford’s time is now.
Galvis is not the type of player that is going to wow anyone. His .255/.309/.382 batting line, while a career best, is not going to make anyone’s head turn. However, Galvis does possess an intriguing blend of power and speed, hitting 32 homers and stealing 31 bases in the past two years. He also has experience playing around the diamond, playing both middle infield positions and being spotted in the outfield.
Chances are, had Freddy Galvis remained with the Philadelphia Phillies, his opportunities would have been limited. Yet, he could have served as a solid utility player, while being an insurance policy in case Crawford needs more time in the minors. As he is now a Padre, the Phillies have to hope that their young shortstop is ready.
What to expect from the Philadelphia Phillies in 2018
The Philadelphia Phillies are not quite ready to contend, but they are much closer than they appeared to be at the end of the 2017 campaign.
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Right now, the Phillies have an intriguing mix of young talent. Players like Jorge Alfaro, Aaron Nola, J.P. Crawford, and Rhys Hoskins are likely to be the new Core Four. With players like Sixto Sanchez and Scott Kingery still in the pipeline, the future appears to be bright in Philadelphia.
The Phillies have also brought in the right type of veteran talent to help guide those youngsters. Jake Arrieta has won a World Series during his time with the Cubs, defeating Carlos Santana and the Indians. Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter are solid relievers, ready to help turn around the bullpen. Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams, and Aaron Altherr are a solid trio of outfielders to add to Hoskins.
At this point, the Phillies are not ready to dethrone the Nationals for the NL East. They are, however, far closer than one would have expected. The rebuild in Philadelphia is nearing an end, and a new run of success may soon follow. There is reason for optimism for Phillies fans once again, and perhaps a chance at a .500 record this year.
Next: Phillies top 10 prospects
The Philadelphia Phillies are getting closer, but they are not quite there yet. Another year might make the difference. Prediction: Third place in the NL East.