The 2024 Phillies will be locked and loaded as they embark on another quest to win the World Series.
While the off-season is halfway over, there is still plenty of time for the Phillies to make smaller moves to round out their roster. The bullpen and bench are two spots the team can afford to upgrade and I believe they will make another move soon.
The following are three players that I think the Phils should take a look at. Three players at different points in their careers who would love a chance to play for a championship contender.
3. Brandon Belt – 1B
The longtime San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is a player who remains in the open market.
While the Phillies have Bryce Harper locked into playing first base for the foreseeable future, it might behoove them to have a veteran backup for the position. As we shall early in the 2023 season, the Phillies lacked depth at first base. Darick Hall, Kody Clemens, and third baseman Alec Bohm split the duties.
By signing Belt, the Phillies would not only be adding depth to the position, but adding a left-handed bat off the bench. Belt hit for a .858 OPS with Toronto last season, which included 23 doubles and 19 home runs.
There have been rumors circulating that Brandon might retire. Considering the Phillies are a World Series contender, I think that it would be very likely for him to want to come to Philadelphia.
His contract last season was for $9.3 million. I would expect the Phillies to offer a contract for Belt’s services in the $6-$7 million range. Whether he may still be looking for a starting role, the Phillies can offer him a chance at a third World Series title, which could move the needle.
2. Dominic Smith – 1B/OF
In what could be his third stop in the National League East, a player the Phillies could pursue is Dominic Smith.
You may remember him from his time with the New York Mets, where Smith hit .284 against the Phillies, with 10 homeruns and 38 runs batted in.
After spending last season with the Washington Nationals, Dom Smith was relegated to a platoon role. He played both first base and left field for DC and provided some power off their bench. In September, Smith hit a .846 OPS with 6 home runs down the stretch. If he can carry that success into 2024, the Phillies could be an interesting fit.
For the Phillies, Dom would be a bench piece, who could provide depth to the corner outfield spots, as well as first base. He is a left-handed bat, which I think the Phillies need coming off the bench.
Contract-wise, Smith would be a $1-2 million dollar signing for the team. Similar to Josh Harrison last season, if the move isn’t working out, the Phillies can simply move on. It is a low-risk – medium reward that Dave Dombrowski can take a stab at.
1. Kyle Lewis – OF
Before there was Julio Rodriguez in Seattle, there was Kyle Lewis.
The 2020 AL Rookie of the Year looked like a promising player a few seasons ago. After some injury-riddled seasons, however, Lewis is looking for a prove-it deal with a Major League club.
Spending last season in the Diamondback’s minor league system, Lewis slashed .371/ .457/ .641/ 1.098 with 17 home runs. If the Phillies can tap into his potential, he might be a really good bench option for the team.
Cristian Pache and Johan Rojas are the two options for the Phillies for the starting / backup center field job. Adding in Lewis on a cheap deal to compete for one of those spots could be a diamond in the rough find for the team.
Contract-wise, this would be another $1-2 million dollar offer. A transaction that allows the Phillies to move on if the productivity isn’t where they would like it to be.
Of the three proposed moves, this one might be my favorite.
Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
