The MLB and the Phillies off-season is underway, and players can sign at any time.
While the turnaround from the World Series may seem quick, it has more to do with the lack of Phillies playoff runs than it does with a rule change. Baseball’s free agency usually gets started within a week of the conclusion of the World Series, and as of today, we are in go mode.
Typically it takes some time for big-name players to sign in a baseball-free agency. As the Phillies saw with Bryce Harper a few years ago, this dance between teams and agents can spill into Spring Training.
With the big names waiting to sign, there is still a chance for the Phillies to add some players to stock up their depth. Starting by adding onto an already strong bullpen unit, the Phillies should not wait around to add arms to their club.
The Phillies case for Andrew Chafin
The Phillies bullpen was the biggest surprise of the 2022 season. The Phillies’ worst unit over the past decade, the ‘pen helped carry the Phillies this season. Their performance in the post-season and World Series was partly one of the reasons why the team went so deep into their playoff run.
That said, you can never have enough arms in the bullpen. Relievers can be hot and cold year to year, so it makes sense for the Phillies to add some pitching this off-season. Lefty Andrew Chafin would be a fantastic addition to the ’23 Phils.
Chafin played for the Detroit Tigers last season and was a bright spot on a pretty bad team. Andrew pitched in 64 games, throwing 57.1 innings. The powerful lefty tossed 67 strikeouts and allowed 19 walks, a 3.53 K per walk ratio. His 10.5 strikeouts per nine is a fantastic rate, and he can fill the role that has been vacated by Brad Hand’s expired contract.
A 2 year, $20 million, dollar contract seems like solid value for a reliable left-handed reliever, an area of need for the Phillies.
Bullpen Lookout
| Name | Throws |
| Seranthony Dominguez | R |
| Jose Alvarado | L |
| Andrew Chafin | L |
| Andrew Bellatti | R |
| Connor Brogdon | R |
| Bailey Falter | L |
| Nick Nelson | R |
With the signing of Andrew Chafin, this would be the Phillies’ bullpen heading into 2023. Many of the pitchers used in the playoff run are no longer under contract. There is still a chance for guys such as David Robertson, Corey Knebel, and Brad Hand to return. We shall see how this off-season plays out in the free-agent market.
Photo credit: Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire
