The Andrew Painter injury in Spring Training has really caused a ripple effect heading into the regular season. In the role that the Phillies’ top prospect was expected to fill, the Phillies had to instead go with Bailey Falter, who has had an up-and-down big league career.
While Falter had his moments last year, he has been unable to recreate that magic. After his performance on Monday night, it is time for the Phillies to get creative and find a new 5th starter.
Not a Chance
Bailey Falter is simply not giving the Phillies a chance to win games when he takes the ball.
In the games in which Falter has started, the Phillies are 1-7. Aside from the Cincinnati Reds outing, which was the 8th game of the season, the Phillies just have not been able to come away with a W.
The Phillies were able to mix around the rotation with the return of Ranger Suarez and a couple of key off-days. This allowed them to skip Falter’s last start and give him some rest as he tried to figure things out.
Rob Thomson opted to go with an opener in Monday nights’ game against the Giants, in an effort to get Falter deeper into the game. When Connor Brogdon was unable to get through the first inning, Bailey entered. So while the concept of the opener did not work out, neither did the Phillies’ left hander.
Falter was charged with 6 runs, however, none of them were earned. An error by Bryson Stott and a dropped ball by Nick Castellanos was just two examples of poor defense from the Phillies. They certainly did not help their pitcher but Falter did not help himself, allowing 8 hits, including a 3-run homerun.
Internal Options
While Bailey Falter is giving it his all, the Phillies need to get someone else in the spot he occupies.
Unfortuntely for the club, the options to replace Bailey are very limited and none are very good.
Nick Nelson, who has started games for the Phillies before, has been injured for the majority of the season. In his rehab starts in the minor leagues, he reinjured himself, which eliminates him as an option.
Cristopher Sanchez, another player who has started games for the Phillies, has not performed well in Triple-A. In 22 innings, he has allowed 15 runs across 5 starts. He is an option, but not a very good one.
Mick Abel, the Phillies’ second-best starting pitching prospect, is a longshot to be called to the big leagues. Abel has had mixed results in Double-A Reading this year. He has not pitched above the Double-A level and his command has not yet been good enough for a MLB caliber starting pitcher. He is young and will certainly develop, but at this point in his career, I do not believe he is a valid option.
The Phillies could get creative
Dave Dombrowski has made a career of finding under-valued players from other organizations and turning them into valuable assets.
Brandon Marsh, Edmundo Sosa, and Garrett Stubbs are just three of the several players Dombrowski has added to the team since taking over the club.
Dombrowski will need to be creative if he is going to find an answer for the 5th starter.
Lance Lynn
The Chicago White Sox are going to be sellers this season. Star shortstop Tim Anderson will likely be moved and I would not be shocked to see other members of the team dealt as well.
One of the players who will likely be traded is veteran starter Lance Lynn. Lynn, who pitched for Team USA this World Baseball Classic, has struggled this season.
In 8 starts, Lance Lynn is 1-5 with a 7.51 ERA. He has not been great and one can argue he has been worse than Bailey Falter. However, Lynn is an ultimate competitor. Leaving Chicago where he knows he has no chance of competing and instead heading to a Phillies team that is expected to make the playoffs, might be enough to boost his performance.
Lynn can still strike out batters, which shows he has not lost his stuff. He has an 11 K/9 this season and if he can work on his command, his performances will improve. Phillies’ pitching coach Caleb Cotham has been great at fixing command issues for Phillies pitching. I would give Lance Lynn a chance with Caleb and on a winning team.
Cost?
Lance Lynn’s $18.5 million dollar contract will expire at the end of the season. He has a club option for 18 million dollars next season, and that certainly won’t be picked up at this rate.
The White Sox need to get younger and if they can deal Lynn they will be shaving off a lot of money from their payroll.
Swapping Falter and Lynn could be a worthy move. The White Sox could give Bailey a fresh start and allow him to eat innings for the remainder of the year. Adding Simon Muzziotti who is hitting.388/ .424/ .522 / .946 in Triple A.
With star Eloy Jimenz on the Injured List, adding a young outfielder may not be the worst idea.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
