The Philadelphia Phillies made waves in free agency by signing their own star pitcher, Aaron Nola, to a seven-year, $172 million deal in free agency. In fact, it was the first significant free agency signing of the offseason.
The Phillies also showed interest in Japanese free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but their overtures went unanswered and he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But a funny thing happened on Thursday. The Milwaukee Brewers traded their ace, Corbin Burnes, to the Baltimore Orioles. It left one wondering — why didn’t the Phillies make this deal?
Was it money? Well, Burnes will make nearly $16 million in 2024 thanks to a deal with the Brewers that averted arbitration.
The Phillies certainly aren’t averse to spending money. The Nola deal proves that. And, since Burnes is a free agent after this season, the Phillies aren’t tied to him beyond next season.
Was it the cost? The Orioles gave up infielder Joey Ortiz, left-handed pitcher D.L. Hall and their No. 34 pick in next July’s draft, which is the Orioles’ Competitive Balance Round A pick.
Hall was 3-0 with a 3.26 ERA in 18 relief appearances last season, but he could end up being a starter in Milwaukee. He was a starter throughout his time in the minors.
As for Ortiz, he was just ranked as baseball’s No. 63 prospect by MLB.com after he made his MLB debut last season.
What would be the Phillies’ equivalent?
Prospect-wise, the closest-ranked prospect to Ortiz is infielder Aidan Miller, who is ranked No. 61. That would likely work against the Phillies, as Miller is years away from being in the Majors while Ortiz could play right away. The Brewers may have prioritized a player that could help them now.
As for the young reliever/starter, that could be a pitcher like Seranthony Dominguez, who went 5-5 with a 3.78 ERA in 57 games last season. He was a starter in the minors. Same goes for Jeff Hoffman, who is older but started in the minors and Majors before he emerged as a quality reliever last season, going 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA.
The Phillies don’t have the competitive balance round selection. But perhaps one more prospect would have rounded out the package?
Possibly. But, perhaps the Phillies just feel good about where they are with Nola, Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sánchez, Taijuan Walker and Kolby Allard in the projected rotation.
Or, maybe the Phillies have designs on him next season? Only time will tell.
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