Call to the pen
Fansided

Philadelphia Phillies looking to build on fast start to 2018

By David Hill

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates a home run with Maikel Franco #7 during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates a home run with Maikel Franco #7 during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Phillies looking to set the stage for years to come

While the eyes of Philadelphia Phillies fans may be on Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, the roster is already improved.

Carlos Santana did not make sense from the moment he was signed – yes, he was a professional veteran hitter, but the decision to put him and first and displace Rhys Hoskins did not make sense. In moving Santana to the rebuilding Mariners, the Phillies brough back Jean Segura, improving their defense up the middle while putting Hoskins back at his natural position.

To fill that opening in the outfield, Andrew McCutchen was brought in on a three year deal. Even though he may not be the perennial MVP candidate he was at the beginning part of the decade, McCtuchen has produced solid numbers offensively while maintaining an above average glove in center. Given the more offensive friendly confines of Citizen’s Bank Park, McCutchen could end up looking more like the player from those All Star years.

However, there is still work to be done. The Phillies were one of the finalists for Manny Machado, and have been linked to Bryce Harper since before the offseason started. Philadelphia could use another arm in the rotation, allowing a pitcher like Vince Velazquez to head to a bullpen role, where his stuff may play up even more. And, it is possible that the Phillies look for a proven veteran closer to solildify the back end of the bullpen. Craig Kimbrel has reportedly lowered his asking price – could the Phillies look in that direction if they miss out on Harper and Machado?

The Philadelphia Phillies may look to go crazy with contracts this offseason, but that may well be what they need to become a force in the NL East for years to come.

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