Phillies: Picking up the bullpen pieces for 2020
By Tal Venada
Expectations:
Of the free agents for the Phillies to bid on, lefty Will Smith, 30, has a 2.90 ERA for 57 performances over 59 innings with 31 saves out of 35 chances. That stated, his services will neither be inexpensive nor have minimal suitors.
Smith’s arsenal:
- Four-seam fastball: 424 for 47.6 percent
with a 92.9-mph average and a 95.7-mph high. - Slider: 381 for 42.8 percent.
- Curveball: 85 for 9.6 percent.
Other than a major inking, the front office will pursuit setup men through a swap, and it will involve dealing minor league stars. Or a package could include Cesar Hernandez or Maikel Franco as secondary pieces due to plentiful market alternatives to them. Translation: they won’t garner the interest to attract a stud reliever.
Realistically, the Phils will not re-up injured relievers Hunter, Neshek, and Nicasio but will invest the $23.8 million elsewhere. And trading Hernandez and Franco will roughly save another $17 million for $40.8 million total, but Realmuto’s extension plus acquisitions of a solid starter and fireman will easily account for those dollars.
Expect Scott Kingery to man second base and a hot-corner stopgap for the first half until Alec Bohm can earn –earn– an MLB promotion from Lehigh Valley after the All-Star break. As for the outfield, both corner slots have veterans, so centerfield is the only uncertain spot going into the winter.
When a franchise needs more than one piece like the Fightins, only an armchair GM inks a $200 million ace to pitch every fifth game for seven years — three beyond his prime. So, please temper your expectations and avoid what-if dreams leading to obvious disappointment.
Concerning unlimited spending, the Luxury Tax rate is 75 percent after exceeding the threshold by $40 million. And the Boston Red Sox achieved this situation due to their 2018 World Series title. Result: Kimbrel received $43 million from the Chicago Cubs, but what would that cost Boston with the penalty? Well, $75.25 million!