Phillies: 2020’s direction for trades, signings

Finish line:

While many Phillies detractors might believe no other acquisitions are forthcoming, moundsmen are available through swaps. But David Price and J.A. Happ are salary dumps the Fightins aren’t willing to pay a CBT tax for. No, they are the Sox’s and Yanks’ AAV monetary problems.

Tigers lefty Matthew Boyd, 28, made 32 starts, recorded 185 1/3 frames, and went 9-12 with a 4.39 ERA: a 3.89 NL ERA equivalent without the designated hitter. Additionally, his arb estimate is $6.4 million, and he has three campaigns of control. Plus he struck out 238 and surrendered 39 home runs with 2019’s homer-friendly ball.

What will the Arizona Diamondbacks do with southpaw Robbie Ray, 28? The portsider had a 4.34 ERA with a 12-8 mark, 235 punch outs and 30 bombs allowed. However, he’ll be a free agent after this 162, and his projected arb income is $10.8 million. But will the D-backs move him now or wait for July’s wild-card possibilities.

Entering ’20, Klentak can deal Herrera and Bruce for $18.1 million of AAV payroll flexibility, or he can swap them for pitching. But he could also negotiate down the price for a reliever in late January and reevaluate the red pinstripes’ needs around July 1. Realistically, he could be better off waiting for the right opportunity instead.

Armchair GMs have many sayings to justify their beliefs and fears. Firstly, their rivals have better players and management, and only the Phils –no one else– must ink more than one top-tier star. Plus it’s so easy to give the studs –or their agents– what they want, but what fair-minded man would that be? Scott Boras?