The Phillies find themselves exploring alternative options in the free agent market after losing out on Sonny Gray, who recently signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Despite a solid rotation featuring Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Ranger Suarez, the Phillies are rumored to be actively pursuing additional pitching talent. Here are four potential free agent targets to consider:
- Shōta Imanaga: Japan’s second-best pitching prospect available for MLB this offseason, Imanaga, has been somewhat overshadowed by his younger compatriot Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Despite being 30 years old and having dealt with recent injuries, Imanaga emerged as NPB’s strikeout leader in 2023 with an impressive strikeout rate of nearly 30%. With a track record of providing over 150 innings annually for the Yokohama BayStars, he could be a cost-effective No. 3 starter for the Phillies, with a projected contract value of $85 million over five years.
- Marcus Stroman: After opting out of his contract with the Cubs, Marcus Stroman has been somewhat quiet on the market. Despite a brief stint on the IL with a hip injury, Stroman had a strong start in Chicago with a sub-3.00 ERA until late July. At 33 years old, he could be a short-term solution as a No. 3 or 4 starter for the Phillies. A projected two or three-year contract worth around $20 million per year places him between the affordability of Gray and Imanaga.
- Seth Lugo: Drawing interest from multiple teams, Seth Lugo, who recently left the Padres, is an intriguing option. Ranking just below Stroman on free agent lists, Lugo transitioned to a starting role in 2023 and pitched a career-high 146 1/3 innings with a respectable 3.57 ERA. With potential cost savings compared to Gray, Stroman, and Imanaga, Lugo, despite being 34, offers a more budget-friendly option to strengthen the Phillies’ rotation.
- Eduardo Rodriguez: Opting out of his contract with the Tigers, Eduardo Rodriguez is among the top mid-tier starting pitching options. With a consistent performance and improvement in key metrics, Rodriguez posted a 3.30 ERA in 2023, marking his best year since 2019. While the length and cost of his contract are anticipated to be significant, Rodriguez could fit well into the Phillies’ rotation, possibly occupying the three or four spot behind Nola and Wheeler.
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