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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals for 2020

By Tal Venada

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 19: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after being called out at second base against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning in game two of a double header at Nationals Park on June 19, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 19: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after being called out at second base against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning in game two of a double header at Nationals Park on June 19, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Phillies
Gregorius on photo day in Phillies red pinstripes. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images. /

Phillies:     

After suffering through an injury-plagued campaign, the Phillies will please many fans because players will enjoy better health and coaching. No one looks good losing, right? In fact, manager Joe Girardi and his staff have already received compliments from Aaron Nola and J.T. Realmuto.

While many locals anticipated serious October baseball with Bryce Harper‘s signing, 2020 is the opposite. However, key pieces missed significant time and/or inexperienced and analytical coaching to produce a disappointing squad. But the Fightins addressed those controllable issues and envision better health.

When top franchises only sign one big-ticket star before camp, criticizing your GM alone for not inking two is a “nearsighted” view. Notice Klentak signed the third best starter for $118 million, not $245 million or $324 million. And since another quality arm was available for the three slot, he didn’t add an aging or stopgap hurler.

Phillies added pitching:

  • Wheeler, 29.5: 31 Gms., 195 1/3 Inn., 11-8, a 3.96 ERA, a 4.7 fWAR and a 1.26 WHIP.

Phillies added hitting:

  • *Gregorius, 30: 82 Gms., 344 PA, a .238 Avg., a .276 OBP, 16 HR, 61 RBI, a .718 OPS and a 0.9 fWAR.
    * Injury-riddled season.

Some fans might believe Gregorius would be a bargain if he signed for $14 million after producing 2018’s numbers: .268, 27 bombs and 86 RBIs. No, that would be a steal! The front office, meantime, feels a good buy involves some risk, and Gregorius could receive multi-season offers of $20 million per 162 with those stats.

Besides, a one-summer pact sets up Gregorius for a big payday, and the red pinstripes have ’20 for Alec Bohm to develop through August. As for righty Spencer Howard, he’s only worked 30 2/3 innings at Double-A, but he could enter the picture in some fashion after the MiLB campaign ends.

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