Call to the pen
Fansided

Joe Girardi’s weighty seat at the Phillies table

By Tal Venada

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 24: New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi argues after being ejected by home plate umpire Carlos Torres during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on August 24, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Yankees 10-6. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 24: New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi argues after being ejected by home plate umpire Carlos Torres during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on August 24, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Yankees 10-6. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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By changing leagues, Betances could dominate the NL and gain the confidence for a career year with the Phillies. Photo by M. Brown/Getty Images. /

Moundsman:           

Even though the Phillies are considering upgrades for the back end of the bullpen, Girardi’s candidate is Betances. And the new manager is basing his recommendation on the four excellent seasons Betances provided as a setup man and occasional closer during Girardi’s tenure. Expect a comeback!

Betances had excelled in the Yankees’ pen for five campaigns, but the injury bug limited him to only two mid-September strikeouts in ’19. Health-wise, he had missed 5.5 months with a right shoulder impingement and a strained lat, plus he then suffered a partially torn left Achilles tendon in his only 2019 appearance.

Phillies free-agent target:

Betances, 31.5:

  • 2018: 66 Gms., 66 2/3 Inn., a 2.70 ERA, 4 Saves, 20 Holds, a 1.7 fWAR and a 1.05 WHIP.
  • 2017: 66 Gms., 59 2/3 Inn., a 2.87 ERA, 10 Saves, 19 Holds, a 1.2 fWAR and a 1.22 WHIP.
  • 2016: 73 Gms., 73 Inn., a 3.08 ERA, 12 Saves, 28 Holds, a 2.9 fWAR and a 1.12 WHIP.

In ’19, Betances earned $7.25 million in his final arbitration year, but one national publication’s estimate for ’20 is $7 million. Normally, a player must prove he’s healthy on the field during the 162. But a free-agent shortage of late-inning fireman could influence his market.

While Romine, 31, is an excellent defensive catcher, he also had a career year at the plate. He produced a .281 average with eight home runs and 35 RBIs compared to a .244 mark with 10 homers and 42 RBIs in ’18. Last summer, the receiver earned $1.8 million.

J.T. Realmuto will handle the bulk of the workload, and his backup will give him a rare day off, play a twin-bill game, and pinch-hit. So, the Fightins re-upped switch-hitter Knapp for $0.7 million. And if Romine signs for 2019’s pay, Knapp will cost $1.1 million less, plus he’s three years his junior and isn’t a right-side bat like Realmuto.

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