The Phillies said they were going to spend stupid money this offseason as per their President John Middleton. With that comes the possibility of taking a risk or two. Yesterday, the Phillies inked Outfielder Andrew McCutchen to a three year, 50 million dollar deal.
While McCutchen has unquestionably dropped off, having slashed .263/.356/.446 over the last three years, he could be a key cog for this team. It is his health and approach to the game that were the main hooks in luring Cutch to Philadelphia. He is ninth in the NL in pitches seen per at bat and coincidentally, Rhys Hoskins was first and Cesar Hernandez was eighth.
The Phillies envision the former center fielder as a right or left fielder depending on what else they can lure in free agency or pry in a trade. He is also seen as a tremendous influence in a young club house and can keep the positive vibes going. Is this overrated? Maybe, but intangibles unquestionably help the possibility of luring more talent to the Phillies.
Another possibility is former Phillies, Astros, Pirates, Blue Jays and current Yankees left hander J.A. Happ who is also a free agent. Happ says he wants a three year deal and his agent went so far as to say the team that offers the third year will get the 36 year old left-hander. Happ did a solid job in 2018, going 17-6 for two teams with a 3.65 ERA and struck out a career high 193 batters in 177.2 innings while posting a 1.13 WHIP. He was 7-0 for the Yankees during the stretch run but pitched poorly in his only outing in the playoffs in Boston.
In the last three years, the lefty is 47-21 in the very tough AL East with a 3.44 ERA. Given his age, it is unquestionably risky to give this pitcher a three year deal. But this is what the market bears and it is not inconceivable that if his health permits, he could be very solid for the first two years of the deal. He is also seen as a great clubhouse presence as both the Yankees and the Blue Jays want him back potentially on a lesser deal and the Astros who have lost Lance McCullers to Tommy John Surgery and could potentially lose Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton to free agency.
Veterans helped the Phillies ascension in 2018 and other veterans could do the same in 2019.
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