The Philadelphia Phillies are absolutely crushing it with the best record in the National League. But don’t expect them to just chill and coast through the MLB trade deadline. No way! They’re actually gearing up to make a major splash.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Phillies aren’t just sitting on their laurels. They’re actively searching for ways to bolster their starting rotation before the trade deadline next week. And let’s just say, they’re eyeing some pretty big names. Morosi reports that Philadelphia is in the mix for deals involving Chicago White Sox’s southpaw Garrett Crochet and Detroit Tigers’ right-hander Jack Flaherty, among others.
Now, the Phillies already boast a pretty solid starting rotation. Zack Wheeler is leading the charge with a stellar 10–4 record, a 2.70 ERA, and a sparkling 0.99 WHIP. Right behind him are Ranger Suarez and Aaron Nola. Nola is holding his own with an 11–4 record, a 3.54 ERA, and a 1.04 WHIP, while Suarez is showing off his skills with a 10–4 record, a 2.87 ERA, and a 1.06 WHIP. Together, this trio stacks up against any top three in the majors.
But wait, there’s more! Cristopher Sanchez also adds depth to the rotation with a 7–5 record, a 2.97 ERA, and a 1.24 WHIP. Collectively, Wheeler (2.8), Suarez (2.8), Nola (1.9), and Sanchez (2.0) have racked up a combined 9.5 WAR. Pretty impressive, right?
So why are the Phillies still on the hunt for more pitching power? It’s clear they’re all-in on this season, and they’re not messing around. Garrett Crochet is the big fish they’re targeting. Crochet’s performance so far this season has been nothing short of outstanding. In 20 starts, he’s logged a 6–6 record with a 3.02 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and an MLB-best 150 strikeouts. Plus, he’s leading all big league pitchers in fWAR (3.9) and is second in FIP (2.37).
However, there’s a bit of a catch. Crochet’s usage this season is raising some eyebrows. He’s already pitched 42 1/3 more innings than he ever has since his college days. His previous max was 65 innings during his sophomore year at Tennessee. Last year, he only managed 12 2/3 innings while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Despite the concerns about his durability, landing Crochet would still require a hefty price, considering he’s under team control for two more seasons.
On the flip side, Jack Flaherty is also a solid option the Phillies are considering. Flaherty took a gamble on himself with a one-year, $14 million deal with the Tigers, and it’s paying off. In 17 starts, he’s compiled a 7–5 record with a 3.13 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and 127 strikeouts against just 17 walks in 100 2/3 innings. He sports a 3.16 FIP and has contributed 2.3 fWAR to his team. Flaherty has had his share of durability issues in the past, but he managed to throw 144.1 innings last year and is likely capable of going even further this season.
When it comes to acquiring either Flaherty or Crochet, the price is going to be steep. Both would require a significant investment in prospect capital. Flaherty, being a rental player, might come at a lower cost compared to Crochet, but don’t expect a bargain. His production this season means he’s still expected to fetch a high price.
In summary, the Phillies are all in for 2024, and it’s no surprise they’re targeting top-tier pitching talent as the July 30 deadline looms. Whether they land Crochet, Flaherty, or another ace, it’s clear they’re ready to push their chips to the center of the table and go for broke this season. Buckle up, because things are about to get exciting!
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