The Philadelphia Phillies entered the current offseason seeking pitching help, because their pitching staff was not very good. So, they signed starting pitcher Roberto Hernandez, and swingman Chad Gaudin — two mediocre pitchers. They handled free agency pretty awfully, but it’s not too late to fix that. There are still a lot of good options left.
5. Paul Maholm: Paul Maholm is a 31-year old left-handed starting pitcher. Last year, he had an ERA of 4.41, a FIP of 4.29, and he had a ground-ball percentage of 51.3, which is pretty important for someone that’s going to be pitching in a hitter’s park, such as Citizens Bank Park. Maholm has had consistent numbers throughout his Major League career, which is important. He would likely be the Phillies’ fourth starter, behind Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, and Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez. The fourth spot in the rotation is a great role for Maholm, because he has been around the back end of a rotation for his entire career.
4. Oliver Perez: Oliver Perez is a 32-year old left-handed relief pitcher. Last year, he had an ERA of 3.74, a FIP of 3.26, and the most amazing part of his season last year was that he was averaging 12.57 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. His walk rate was a little high at 4.42 walks per nine innings, but with an amazing strikeout rate like he had, he can afford to give up walks. Left-handed bullpen pitchers are very valuable, so the Phillies should sign Perez. He would make the Phillies’ bullpen a lot better.
3. Johan Santana: Johan Santana is a 34-year old left handed starting pitcher. He missed the entire season last year, due to injuries. In 2012, his last healthy season, he pitched in 117 innings with the Mets, he had an ERA of 4.85, and a FIP of 4.09. He also had a K/9 of 8.54 and a BB/9 of 3. He’s a pretty good pitcher that is capable of going deep into games, which is important for the Phillies, because their bullpen isn’t very good. He would probably be the Phillies’ third starter, behind their two aces, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee. Third in the rotation would be a good spot for him; he was a number one or two starter for most of his career, so maybe if he was a third starter he would feel less pressure to pitch like an ace, which is important, because you will play well when you don’t feel much pressure.
2. Joel Hanrahan: Joel Hanrahan is a 32-year old right handed relief pitcher. He only pitched in 7.1 innings last year due to an injury. In 2012, his last healthy season, he had an ERA of 2.72, a K/9 of 10.11, and 36 saves. He was a great closer, but now I think he would be better in the back end of the bullpen as a setup man for the Phillies’ closer, Jonathan Papelbon. Papelbon will be the closer for the Phillies whether we like it or not. Hanrahan would most likely get a minor league deal, and he’s certainly worth that.
1. Ryan Madson: Ryan Madson is a 33-year old right handed relief pitcher. He didn’t pitch at all in 2013 or 2012. In his last healthy season, 2011 with the Phillies, he pitched 60.2 innings, had an ERA of 2.37, a FIP of 2.25, a K/9 of 9.2, a BB/9 of 2.37, and a ground ball percentage of 48.8. All of those numbers are great. Madson’s biggest problem is that he missed two straight seasons due to injuries. But, that just makes his value go way down. He will still be a decent pitcher, and he will probably only sign a minor league deal, which he is definitely worth.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
