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Phillies: Odd man out’s role in the rotation’s 2nd half

By Tal Venada

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 28: Pitcher Zach Eflin #56 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by catcher Andrew Knapp #15 after pitching a complete game 5-1 win over the Miami Marlins during a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 28: Pitcher Zach Eflin #56 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by catcher Andrew Knapp #15 after pitching a complete game 5-1 win over the Miami Marlins during a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Unless the Rangers plan on contending in 2020, Minor will probably be available in July. Photo by R. Rodriguez/Getty Images. /

Through 2020:       

Even if the Phillies have a solid rotation, they could swap for southpaw Robbie Ray if the Arizona Diamondbacks are out of the race. Ray is in the second of three arbitration years before free agency and is earning $6.05 million. Expect a bidding war!

Currently, Ray is 2-1 with a 3.79 ERA, and he’s had six decent performances out of seven for 85.7 percent (80 percent goal). He mostly employs a four-seam fastball (45.2 percent) and a slider (35.4 percent), plus a curveball and a sinker are the remaining 19.4 percent. Also, his heater averages 92.5 mph with a 95.2 mph high.

As for 2020’s five-man staff, the red pinstripes will need a lefty slotted before or after Jake Arrieta. And if Eflin, Velasquez, Eickhoff and Pivetta are still in the hunt, only two with the addition of Ray will make the rotation for ’20. Naturally, those two Phils could switch to the bullpen.

Possible mid-season acquisitions (through May 6):

Ray, 27.5:

  • 2019: 7 Gms., 38 Inn., 2-1, a 3.79 ERA, a 0.6 fWAR and a 1.29 WHIP.
  • 2018: 24 Gms., 123 2/3 Inn., 6-2, a 3.93 ERA, a 1.0 fWAR and a 1.35 WHIP.

Minor, 31:

  • 2019: 7 Gms., 48 2/3 Inn., 3-2, a 2.40 ERA, a 1.3 fWAR and a 0.95 WHIP.
  • 2018: 28 Gms., 157 Inn., 12-8, a 4.18 ERA, a 2.5 fWAR and a 1.12 WHIP.

Portsider Mike Minor of the Texas Rangers is under contract for $19 million split evenly between 2019 and 2020. So, he would also require a slot for the ’20 squad, and a second Fightins’ starter would be another man out. Of course, Pivetta doesn’t currently have a spot: subject to change.

In his repertoire, Minor fires his four-seam fastball at a 42.9 percent clip, and the other 57.1 percent are his secondary pitches: a changeup, a slider and a curveball. His average heater is 93.1 mph and his high is 95.7 mph. As for effectiveness, he’s had six acceptable opportunities out of seven for 85.7 percent.

On the other hand, Klentak could opt for a temporary remedy with a rental: Madison Bumgarner or Hamels. But this direction will depend on the development of Eflin, Velasquez, Eickhoff and Pivetta. Nevertheless, if the exec can rely on three of the four for 2020, he can deal for a lefty fix through playoffs’ end.

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