2. Cesar Hernandez To Rockies for Scott Oberg
Sometimes, you have to give up something to get something in return. That, of course, is how all trades work, but this may be as even a swap as you’ll see.
The Phillies are in need of another bullpen arm. Scott Oberg would fill that role nicely. Daniel Murphy has a broken finger, and the timetable for his return continues to get pushed back. And while rookie Garrett Hampson has been getting the bulk of the starts at second base, his .200 batting average, and the team’s 6-12 record, would prove that the Rockies likely aren’t thrilled with the production at second base.
In theory, the Phillies have a surplus of infield depth. Again, in theory, the Rockies have a deep bullpen. And while team’s aren’t thrilled about parting with good bullpen arms, we harken back to the original thought of giving up something good to get something good.
Oberg’s career numbers are a bit misleading. He has a career 4.23 ERA. But it appears that the 29-year-old has figured things out over the course of the last two seasons. Last year, he posted a 2.45 ERA. In the early goings this season, he has a 2.45 ERA. The staggering drop from three seasons around 5.00 has proven that he may have turned the corner. His strikeout to walk ratio has significantly improved over the last three seasons. Last year it was 4.75 K/BB. In the first three weeks of the season, including 7.1 innings pitched, it’s 2.66, but that number should go up as his total number of innings rises.
This wouldn’t be the flashiest of trades for the Phillies, and on the surface, you might even say the Rockies won the deal, but Oberg provides more stability in the back end of the rotation, give Gabe Kapler another solid bullpen piece, and allows Scott Kingery to play every day. All wins for Phillies fans.
