The Phillies face uncertainty in their starting rotation despite having six pitchers competing for spots. While Cris Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo appear reliable, concerns surround Zack Wheeler’s recovery from surgery, Aaron Nola’s poor previous season performance, and whether top prospect Andrew Painter will be ready for the majors.
Multiple quality arms remain unsigned in free agency, though many don’t align well with Philadelphia’s needs. Several candidates carry qualifying offer penalties or seek multi-year contracts exceeding the team’s budget. Most veterans like Verlander and Scherzer likely won’t sign until mid-season.
The most viable options include Griffin Canning, who posted respectable numbers with the Mets and might command around $4 million, and Zack Littell, who earned $6 million previously. Chris Bassitt could work if willing to accept a short-term deal, though his prior $21 million salary may prove problematic.
As spring training approaches, these unsigned pitchers become increasingly affordable. Adding a modestly-priced insurance policy makes sense for Philadelphia, given their rotation was their primary strength last season and their offense saw limited improvement. With flexibility to move Taijuan Walker to the bullpen or send Painter to Triple-A, room exists for another starter if the price aligns with their bargain-hunting approach.
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