Phillies to Prioritize Bullpen And Outfield

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Phillies President of Baseball Operations, Dave Dombrowski, noted shortstop as a need, but not one of the biggest. 

MLB insiders have linked the Phillies to the shortstop market, with Mark Feinsand going as far to say they will look to make a big splash at the position. Feinsand also listed the Phillies as a possible suitor for free agent Corey Seager. 

However, Dombrowski’s comments contradict insider information. 

Phillies writer for The Inquirer, Scott Lauber, reported that Dombrowski has his eyes set on a closer. 

“I’d like to have someone close a game for us and count on it,” said Dombrowski. 

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The closer market tops off with free agents Raisel Iglesias, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon, while Craig Kimbrel sits on the trade market. 

Lauber noted that Dombrowski’s preference is to not give up a draft pick, which means players who received the qualifying offer may not be in play (Iglesias). 

With this information, the Phillies may end up pursuing Kenley Jansen or Mark Melancon through free agency or Craig Kimbrel through trade. Kimbrel is owed $16 million in 2022 and Jansen may receive a multi-year deal between the $10-$15 million range. 

Kimbrel struggled in the setup role for the White Sox but had a phenomenal year as the closer for the Cubs. In 36.2 innings, Kimbrel posted a 0.49 ERA with 23 saves and 64 strikeouts. 

Jansen with the Dodgers had 38 saves in 69.0 innings. He held a 2.22 ERA with 86 strikeouts. 

Mark Melancon, an All-Star for San Diego in 2021, led the MLB with 39 saves. 

The Phillies have a surplus of options for the closer role this winter, and after struggling to close out games in 2021, the team will attempt to address the problem with stability. 

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As for the outfield, Dombrowski is looking for a center fielder and a left fielder.

“Those are complete necessities,” Dombrowski said in an article reported by Jim Salisbury.  

It’s unclear if he will attempt to add at both positions or just one. 

In the same article from Salisbury, Dombrowski said he received a budget from owner John Middleton and didn’t find it restrictive, so adding at both positions can’t be ruled out completely. 

If he does choose to add a single outfielder, the Phillies still have the likes of Matt Vierling, who logged 50.0 innings in center field and 21.1 in left field in 2021. 

Adam Haseley and Mickey Moniak will not be factors in a fight for an outfield position, as noted by Dombrowski in another Lauber report. 

So with that out of the way, who would be in play on the free agent market?

Plenty of outfield talent hits the market this winter and adding any of them would make sense.  

Names such as Nick Castellanos, Starling Marte, Chris Taylor and Michael Conforto come to mind. 

If Dombrowski wants to stick to his word of not giving up a draft pick, Castellanos, Taylor and Conforto would be eliminated since each received the qualifying offer from their teams. Still, Dombrowski seeks a big bat, so players with the qualifying offer are still in play.

If all that’s left is Marte, the Phillies would still get an impactful free agent outfielder. The 33-year-old had a slash line of .310/.383/.458 through 120 games with Miami and Oakland in 2021. Marte nabbed 47 stolen bases, which led the entire league. 

How much would he cost?

Well, Marte turned down a three-year $30 million extension from the Marlins in July, which resulted in him being traded to Oakland. 

Marte is likely seeking a four-year deal in the $70-$80 million range. 

The Athletics won’t be suitors as they are looking to decrease their payroll, so the Phillies have fair game for Marte if they want to go that route.

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If they don’t want to add through free agency, the Phillies could always revisit their talks with the Minnesota Twins for center fielder Byron Buxton. 

Twins writer for The Athletic, Dan Hayes, reported that the Phillies were the strongest suitor for Buxton at the trade deadline. 

The 27-year-old struggles with injuries, only playing in 215 games since the start of the 2018 season. Even so, an addition of Buxton, who slashed .306/.358/.647 with 19 home runs in 61 games this season, would certainly be major for Philadelphia. 

There are a lot of routes the Phillies can take this season, and with someone as aggressive as Dave Dombrowski, it’s almost impossible to rule the team out of a race for any player. 

After finishing above .500 for the first time since 2011, the Phillies will look to contend in 2022.