The Philadelphia Phillies were blindsided when their division rivals, the New York Mets, signed Bo Bichette with a short-term, high AAV contract. Now, they need to get back at them, and luckily, there’s a perfect player to do it with.
According to Fansided’s Zachary Rotman, the Phillies could be a top suitor for former MVP and All-Star Cody Bellinger. Bellinger would address their outfield problems, and would take Bellinger from the Mets, who are also seen as another top suitor.
“The Phillies need to improve their offense. They admitted such by pursuing Bichette. Bellinger might not be the hitter Bichette is, but he's a really good one nonetheless, and he's a much better defender and base runner. Plus, I'd argue the outfield is much more of a weakness than the infield, so signing Bellinger, an outfielder, could prove to be even more helpful,” Rotman wrote.
This past season, Bellinger slashed.272/.334/.480/.813 with 25 doubles, 29 home runs, and 98 RBI in 152 games played. He would definitely give the Phillies a facelift in the outfield, and replace Max Kepler as he serves his suspension for P.E.D. Use.
Bellinger is projected to receive a six-year, $182 million deal, and that might be too much for the Phillies. However, they were going to offer Bichette seven years, so what’s stopping Philly from doing the same for Bellinger?
Hopefully, the Phillies cement their position and get in touch with Bellinger’s camp ASAP. Otherwise, another contender may swoop in and get him from under their noses.
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