Insider Scoop: Phillies Plotting Mega Move!

Phillies pitchers and catchers are scheduled to kick off Spring Training in Clearwater, Fla., on February 14, marking the beginning of official workouts at Carpenter Complex. The current roster closely resembles the group that concluded the NLCS at Citizens Bank Park in October, but Phillies manager Rob Thomson acknowledged the ongoing quest to enhance the team.

Aaron Nola’s return was a top priority, and the Phillies secured him with a seven-year, $172 million contract in November. Since then, the team has shown interest in Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who ultimately signed with the Dodgers for $325 million. While the Phillies remain open to potential additions, there are no immediate plans to pursue prominent free agents like Blake Snell and Josh Hader.

Despite the available talent in the market, the focus this spring is on negotiating a contract extension with Zack Wheeler. The Phillies aim to secure Wheeler’s services for an extended period due to his exceptional performance and impact on the team. The 33-year-old pitcher, with one year remaining on his current contract, has been a standout with the best bWAR and fWAR in baseball over the past four seasons.

Wheeler’s importance is evident in his postseason achievements, boasting a 2.42 ERA, the sixth-best in MLB history with a minimum of 10 starts. The Phillies recognize the financial commitment required to retain Wheeler but value his contributions to the team.

While Wheeler’s extension remains a priority, the Phillies are also keen on reinforcing their pitching depth. Manager Rob Thomson emphasized the importance of having eight or nine starters throughout the season. Despite Craig Kimbrel’s departure to Baltimore, the Phillies have yet to fill the void in the bullpen, with Thomson expressing satisfaction with the existing depth but acknowledging the ongoing evaluation of potential additions.