Phillies predicted to sign $15M, 3-time World Series champion, 8-time All-Star, 3X Cy Young winner

Hunter Cookston

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Phillies predicted to sign $15M, 3-time World Series champion, 8-time All-Star, 3X Cy Young winner image

The Philadelphia Phillies were on a roll last season in nearly every aspect of the game until a major problem struck. The Phillies lost ace Zack Wheeler toward the end of the season with a blood clot issue. For Philadelphia, it was a devastating development with the playoffs looming.

“Phillies right-handed starter Zack Wheeler was placed on the injured list with a right upper extremity blood clot, Phillies president of baseball operations David Dombrowski announced Saturday following the Phillies’ 2-0 loss to the Nationals,” MLB.com’s Byron Kerr wrote.

This offseason, the Phillies were able to keep most of the players who hit free agency. The one player they were unable to retain was starter Ranger Suárez, who agreed to a deal with the Boston Red Sox.

“Left-hander Ranger Suárez and the Boston Red Sox finalized their $130 million, five-year contract Wednesday. Suárez gets a $3 million signing bonus, payable within 30 days of the deal's approval by Major League Baseball, and salaries of $7 million this year, $15 million in 2027, $30 million in each of the following two seasons and $35 million in 2030. The deal includes a $35 million mutual option for 2031 with a $10 million buyout,” ESPN wrote.

It still isn’t too late for the Phillies to add to their starting rotation. FanSided’s Christopher Kline suggests the team should sign veteran Max Scherzer.

“All signs point to Painter competing for a job in spring training. But if the Phillies can find an upgrade over Walker — or a complement to him, should Painter fail to earn a spot — it will solidify their standing in a rapidly improving NL East. Scherzer fits the bill. He'd serve as a simple one-year investment and a stopgap until Wheeler returns from the IL. This is probably the best team Scherzer can realistically join. This move wouldn't excite Phillies fans, but it'd fulfill a basic need without long-term baggage,” Kline wrote.

Scherzer would provide plenty of World Series experience, as he has two championship rings. Winning the World Series has been the hurdle this current Phillies team has been trying to clear since losing to the Houston Astros.

Once Wheeler returns, the Phillies’ rotation would be one to watch throughout the season. There would be no clear weakness anywhere in the rotation if they are able to get Scherzer to agree to a deal.

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