Hot Stove League Review: Phillies

The Phillies audacious plan to buy their way to contention in 2019 fell way short.  They doubled down on that bet this year with a 9 figure contract to bolster their pitching for 2020 and beyond.  Key moves:

Free Agents Lost:  Cesar Hernandez(2B- non-tendered), Maikel Franco(3B- non-tendered), Corey Dickerson(OF), Logan Morrison(1B/OF), Drew Smyly(LHP), Juan Nicasio(RHP), Jason Vargas(LHP- option declined), Pat Neshek(RHP-option declined), Jared Hughes(RHP- option declined), Mike Morin(RHP).

Free Agents Signed:  Zack Wheeler(RHP- 5yr/$118 M), Didi Gregorius(SS- 1 yr/$14 M), Tommy Hunter(RHP).

Trades:  Aquired Kyle Garlick(OF) from the Dodgers for Tyler Gilbert(LHP).  Acquired Cristopher Sanchez(LHP) from the Rays for Curtis Mead(IF).

Waiver Claims:  Deolis Guerra(RHP), Reggie McClain(RHP).

Minor League Free Agents:  Neil Walker(2B), Josh Harrison(IF), Francisco Liriano(LHP), Logan Forsythe(2B), Anthony Swarzak(RHP), Bud Norris(RHP), Blake Parker(RHP), Ronald Torreyes(IF), TJ Rivera(IF), Mikie Mahtook(OF), Matt Szczur(OF), Phil Gosselin(IF), Christian Betancourt(C/OF/RHP).

Summary:  The Phillies top priority coming into the Hot Stove League was bolstering a very thin pitching rotation.  Zack Wheeler brings a scary injury history, but is coming off 2 consecutive healthy and productive seasons with the Mets.  Signing Wheeler has the added benefit of weakening a division rival who also has designs on contending.  The Phils may still be a SP short and it's curious they did not try harder to keep Drew Smyly.  Didi Gregorius won't have the short RF porch of Yankee Stadium to aim at for HR's but Citizen's Bank Park is also hitter-friendly and should give him a great shot at a comeback season to boost his stock on a bridging contract.  Expanded rosters may enable the Phils to keep Kyle Garlick as a potent RH bat off the bench.  They also bolstered their shaky bullpen, but more with quantity than quality.

Grade B.