Call to the pen
Fansided

Phillies: 2020’s direction for trades, signings

By Tal Venada

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: Keone Kela #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Steven Baron #61 after the final out in a 4-2 win over the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 25, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: Keone Kela #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Steven Baron #61 after the final out in a 4-2 win over the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 25, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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After five consecutive solid years, Harris may be a late-signing bargain for the Phillies. Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images. /

Toeing the rubber:       

Even if the Phillies don’t add the late-inning presence the fans want, the July deadline will depend on organizations making their closer available. And the most likely difference-makers could come from Toronto, the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians.

While the Nats are hesitant to propose more than one campaign for Daniel Hudson, other clubs aren’t willing to commit an estimated $12 million for two summers either. Basically, he thrived in the second half and the playoffs with an average fastball of 96.4 mph (98.5 mph tops) and a slider, but he has a spotty track record.

Despite five straight years of solid numbers, Will Harris, 35, will probably sign for less than the projected $9 million each per 162 for two seasons. And only the Minnesota Twins have shown any interest so far. So, Hudson and Harris will probably be January pickups or bargains.

Keone Kela, 26, of the Pittsburgh Pirates had a 2.12 ERA and has an estimated arb of $3.4 million. In 2018, he had converted 24 saves with a 3.29 ERA, but he also missed from May 5 through July 23 in 2019. Plus the flamethrower’s fastball averages 96.6 mph (high of 98.6 mph). But is there selling low in this market?

Fireballer Mychal Givens, 29, of the Baltimore Orioles has a projected $3.2 million arb ahead with two campaigns of team control, but he recorded a 4.57 ERA with 11 saves and seven holds. Last July, though, Klentak showed interest probably due to a fastball that touches 99.5 mph and averages 95.7 mph.

With the Detroit Tigers, Joe Jimenez, 25, has a 95.5-mph four-seam fastball that reaches 99.1 mph; plus he had nine saves out of 10 chances for two months of closing with a 3.06 ERA (4.37 overall ERA). However, he is another hurler working low pressure spots at the MLB minimum. But he has four summers of control.

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