Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
General manager Matt Klentak made his first trade for the Philadelphia Phillies by acquiring 28-year-old right-hander Jeremy Hellickson from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for 20-year-old right hander Sam McWilliams. Hellickson is a former rookie of the year in 2011 and Gold Glove winner in 2012 who has struggled since then, having ERAs of 5.17, 4.52 and 4.62 the past three seasons.
The move seems minor and a way for the Phillies to eat up innings instead of signing washed up veterans such as Aaron Harang and Jerome Williams. Hellickson’s ERA does not look like it will improve considering he is now pitching in one of the best hitters’ parks in the league. Hellickson has averaged allowing 23 home runs in his four full seasons which is just about the league average of 21. However, Klentak acquired Hellickson because he can be team controlled until 2017 and is relatively young at 28.
Klentak also saw the possibility of flipping him and getting double the value they gave up. Obviously, the earliest the Phillies would flip Hellickson is the trade deadline, but having him controlled for two years at a relatively low price certainly helps. The Phillies’ plan is most likely to sell high on Hellickson. They hope change of scenery will bring good results and in turn a good return.
Klentak is hoping the best-case scenario plays out, but if it does not the worst-case scenario is not that bad. If the plan to buy low and sell high of Hellickson fails they will have him for two years in their rotation surrounded by young guys such as Aaron Nola, Jerad Eickhoff, Jake Thompson and Zach Eflin.
Klentak and Andy MacPhail are trying to rebuild the Phillies as quickly as possible, and using this technique of buy low, sell high is one way they can speed up the rebuild.
