Call to the pen
Fansided

Phillies: NL East rivals’ warts for 2020

By Tal Venada

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 26: Scott Kingery #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on August 26, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 26: Scott Kingery #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on August 26, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Donaldson will affect the Braves and/or Nationals if he signs elsewhere. Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. /

Braves and Nationals: 

If the Phillies don’t fix every weakness –some believe– they did nothing, while even the Yankees still have holes. But the Braves have yet to sign a third baseman and an outfielder, plus they committed $14 million to Mark Melancon who’ll be a setup man sooner rather than later. Yes, Melancon was July’s desperation move.

And what happened to their future third sacker Austin Riley? Well, the league had caught up to him after a sizzling May, and he didn’t adjust. And if Josh Donaldson takes a four-campaign pact elsewhere, will they platoon Riley at the hot corner? Ergo, losing Donaldson’s bat will affect their offense.

Which Mike Foltynewicz will toe the rubber in 2020? Will it be 2018’s rotation standout or 2019’s struggling hurler who returned from Triple-A only to finish the 162 on a low note? And even though Atlanta has potential starters, they develop like other youngsters and make an impact in or after the third year.

The Nationals were the hot team at the right time and overcame every obstacle in their path. However, they lost Rendon to free agency. And they, probably, offered Donaldson a four-summer pact with deferred money. Additionally, they need a first or second  baseman.

They have improved their pen by adding Will Harris, and they may also re-up Hudson. However, he wants two seasons, and his spotty track record is a risk they are leery of. But other franchises are in no hurry for him either.

Currently, the Nats are at $183.94 million AAV (average annual value), but $25 million AAV for Donaldson will put them over the $208 million CBT (competitive-balance threshold). And they don’t want to pay the 50 percent tax again for exceeding the CBT for a fourth consecutive 162.

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