RUN THAT JAWN BACK

All offseason on this blog as well as the Shootin the Shift podcast, we’ve discussed how the best way for the Phillies to compete next year was to run the offense back. Yet we also acknowledged that was unlikely given the self-imposed budget restrictions. I’ve never been happier to proclaim that WE WERE WRONG. With this week’s agreements with both JT Realmuto followed by Didi Gregorious, the Phillies will be returning a top 10 offense for next year. According to teamrankings.com, the Phillies ranked 5th last year in runs per game at 5.1 runs. The bullpen woes were certainly no secret but this stat proves that we are a true threat in one aspect of the game. Our high powered offense is what allowed us to stay in playoff contention down to the very last day. If not for a historically bad bullpen paired with a shaky back of the rotation, we would’ve seen this offense play in October.

With Didi’s new 2 year, $28 million contract, there is still a little room in the budget to play around. While the bullpen has added two names that excite me in Archie Bradley and Jose Alverado, they could use another arm or two. Personally, I would be looking for them to add someone from the group of Alex Colomé, Trevor Rosenthal, Shane Greene, Jeremy Jeffress, or Keone Kela. From this group, I’d expect Rosenthal and Colomé to be the most costly, meaning it might be a stretch for them to end up in Philly.

Even with one of the top remaining ‘pen arms coming to Philly, it could be beneficial to explore a reunion with either lefty Jose Alvarez or recovering right-hander, David Robertson. Both guys should be relatively inexpensive but present two very different situations. Over the last two years, Alvarez has been one of the most consistent arms in the bullpen for the Phillies. He was really the only bright spot for the unit last year but still finds himself without a contract for 2021. While newcomer Jose Alverado seems already entrenched in Alvarez’s role as the late-inning lefty, Alverado can provide stability and a solid floor for an otherwise overhauled bullpen. Robertson on the other hand signed with the Phillies prior to the 2019 season but only pitched 6.2 innings for them before sustaining an injury and eventually (for some reason 5 months later) undergoing Tommy John surgery. Before this injury, Robertson was one of the game’s top relievers and innings eaters. Dating back to 2010 with the Yankees he had thrown at least 60 innings in every season. In what will be his age 35 season this year, it may be unreasonable to expect him to be the David Roberton of old, however, giving him a 1 year “prove-it deal” at a low salary could be in the best interest of both parties.

Ultimately Dave Dombrowski came into this job with one of baseball’s top offenses and did the right thing by keeping them together. Now the tricky part is providing them a better pitching staff to support them and finally return to the playoffs. It seems he’s off to a good start, but with under a month until pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report and talent still available, it’s time for ol’ Davey Dombs to finish off the roster.