5 Pending Free Agents the Philadelphia Phillies Should Target Next Offseason

5 Pending Free Agents the Philadelphia Phillies Should Target Next Offseason

By Mike Gibson

August 12, 2015

5 Pending Free Agents the Philadelphia Phillies Should Target Next Offseason

Brett Anderson, Los Angeles Dodgers, — If the last two nights playing the Diamondbacks in the Arizona desert have taught the Philadelphia Phillies anything, it is that there is a great need for MLB-ready starting pitching. Right-handers David Buchanan and Aaron Harang are not going to cut it anymore, and the fastest road to respectability can be set by targeting these five free agent pitchers.

If the last two nights playing the Diamondbacks in the Arizona desert have taught the Philadelphia Phillies anything, it is that there is a great need for MLB-ready starting pitching. Right-handers David Buchanan and Aaron Harang are not going to cut it anymore, and the fastest road to respectability can be set by targeting these five free agent pitchers.

5. Brandon Beachy

Brandon Beachy, Los Angeles Dodgers,

5. Brandon Beachy

Brandon Beachy, Los Angeles Dodgers, — Currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ organization, Brandon Beachy, 28, also fits the profile of a pitcher with his best years ahead of him. On Aug. 4, Beachy cleared waivers and is now pitching for the Dodgers’ Triple-A team in Oklahoma City, and Phillies scouts should keep an eye on his progress. He could handle long relief for the Phillies next season.

Currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ organization, Brandon Beachy, 28, also fits the profile of a pitcher with his best years ahead of him. On Aug. 4, Beachy cleared waivers and is now pitching for the Dodgers’ Triple-A team in Oklahoma City, and Phillies scouts should keep an eye on his progress. He could handle long relief for the Phillies next season.

4. J.A. Happ

J.A. Happ, Pittsburgh Pirates,

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4. J.A. Happ

J.A. Happ, Pittsburgh Pirates, — A former Phillie, J.A. Happ, 33, will be available in the offseason, and this is the one guy over 30 the Phillies should pursue. He is the kind of back-of-the-rotation guy the Phillies need and was 11-11 with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014. He’s struggling now, with a 4-7 record, currently with the Pittsburgh Pirates after starting the season with the Seattle Mariners, and can be had on the cheap.

A former Phillie, J.A. Happ, 33, will be available in the offseason, and this is the one guy over 30 the Phillies should pursue. He is the kind of back-of-the-rotation guy the Phillies need and was 11-11 with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014. He’s struggling now, with a 4-7 record, currently with the Pittsburgh Pirates after starting the season with the Seattle Mariners, and can be had on the cheap.

3. Mat Latos

Mat Latos, Los Angeles Dodgers,

3. Mat Latos

Mat Latos, Los Angeles Dodgers, — Mat Latos is another pitcher on a one-year, $ 9.4 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers after starting the season with the Miami Marlins. Still, at 27 years and two months, he has his best baseball ahead of him and his 4-8 record might make him a more cost-effective free agent. The right-hander’s best season saw him post a 14-4 record with the Cincinnati Reds in 2012.

Mat Latos is another pitcher on a one-year, $ 9.4 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers after starting the season with the Miami Marlins. Still, at 27 years and two months, he has his best baseball ahead of him and his 4-8 record might make him a more cost-effective free agent. The right-hander’s best season saw him post a 14-4 record with the Cincinnati Reds in 2012.

2. Mike Leake

Mike Leake, San Francisco Giants,

2. Mike Leake

Mike Leake, San Francisco Giants, — Another 27-year-old pitcher who will be a free agent is Mike Leake, currently with the San Francisco Giants, and the Phillies certainly should make a play for him. The right-hander was the No. 8 overall pick of the 2009 draft and started this season with the Cincinnati Reds, where he was 9-5 with a 3.56 ERA. He is making $ 9.78 million this season.

Another 27-year-old pitcher who will be a free agent is Mike Leake, currently with the San Francisco Giants, and the Phillies certainly should make a play for him. The right-hander was the No. 8 overall pick of the 2009 draft and started this season with the Cincinnati Reds, where he was 9-5 with a 3.56 ERA. He is making $ 9.78 million this season.

1. Brett Anderson

Brett Anderson, Los Angeles Dodgers,

1. Brett Anderson

Brett Anderson, Los Angeles Dodgers, — Brett Anderson fits the type of profile the Phillies should move forward with on free-agent signings as a younger guy with a high upside rather than an older pitcher who has little tread left on the tires like recent Phillies signings A.J. Burnett an Aaron Harang. Anderson, 28, is a lefty currently pitching on a one-year contract for the Los Angeles Dodgers and should be the top offseason target.

Brett Anderson fits the type of profile the Phillies should move forward with on free-agent signings as a younger guy with a high upside rather than an older pitcher who has little tread left on the tires like recent Phillies signings A.J. Burnett an Aaron Harang. Anderson, 28, is a lefty currently pitching on a one-year contract for the Los Angeles Dodgers and should be the top offseason target.

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