The Philadelphia Phillies have had a busy Sunday morning, as the team has announced a flurry of moves including a trade, an extension, and some reassignments in camp. Let’s run down all the transactions the team made on March 24.
Phillies trade Jake Cave to the Rockies
Philadelphia fans may have been torn on the left-handed hitting outfielder, but Jake Cave had seemed like a shoo-in to make the Opening Day roster. Instead, less than a week from the start of the regular season, Cave has been shipped out west to the Colorado Rockies in a deal first reported by Matt Gelb of The Athletic. The Rockies are sending cash considerations back to Philly in return for the veteran’s services.
Cave looked primed to take the final bench spot for the Phillies after another strong Spring Training performance where he slashed .333/.355/.433. Last year, his first with Philadelphia’s organization, he dominated minor league pitching to the tune of a .346/.429/.684 slash line – that equates to an incredible 1.113 OPS. Cave added 16 home runs and 30 doubles However, that success never quite translated to the majors.
In 2023, the veteran outfielder performed slightly below his career averages in the majors – slashing .212/.272/.348 in 203 plate appearances with 5 home runs and 21 RBIs. He will now have the benefit of playing his home games at hitter-friendly Coors Field.
According to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Phillies are still in the market for a left-handed hitting outfielder, preferably one with minor league options. Until they make a move like this, the likely candidates to fill out the bench for Opening Day are Cristian Pache or Kody Clemens, with Pache likely having the edge due to his lack of minor league options.
Phillies give Matt Strahm a new contract
Philadelphia didn’t just make moves for players now outside the organization, they also worked on shoring up the bullpen. That started with extending one of the most important pieces in 2023 and for 2024 – Matt Strahm.
The lanky lefty signed a two-year deal worth $15 million prior to the 2023 season to be an anchor in the rebuilding bullpen, but early injuries forced him into a swing-man type of role. Strahm ended up in the starting rotation – compiling 10 starts in the early part of the season. The veteran southpaw held his own during his time in the Phillies’ rotation with a 4.05 ERA in 33 1/3 innings, but he was nothing short of dominant once he was able to move back to the bullpen. Strahm and his beautiful, flowing hair posted a very strong 2.82 ERA while striking out 30.1% of batters faced when in a relief role.
Strahm’s extension keeps him with the Phillies through 2025 with a club option for 2026 that becomes a vesting option if the left-hander throws at least 60 innings in 2025. Matt Gelb reported the full details:
Keeping Strahm’s versatility in the bullpen is just another reason fans feel the relief corps continues to get stronger and stronger each year.
Minor Transactions
Philly was not done with the internal moves on this not-so-easy Sunday morning. As Opening Day continues to creep closer and closer, clubs need to shrink their rosters down to the 26-man total they will carry during the regular season. The Phillies made some re-assignments today that essentially solidify what the pitching staff will be when the season opens on at Citizens Bank Park on March 28.
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reported the team has reassigned right-handed pitchers Andrew Bellatti and José Ruiz to minor league camp. With the recent news about Taijuan Walker “not feeling right” when having catch over the weekend, and Orion Kerkering starting the year on the injured list due to an extended illness – there are only 13 pitchers remaining on the roster for 13 spots.
Starting Pitchers
- RHP Zack Wheeler
- RHP Aaron Nola
- LHP Ranger Suárez
- LHP Cristohper Sánchez
- RHP Spencer Turnbull
Relief Pitchers:
- LHP Jose Alvarado
- LHP Gregory Soto
- LHP Matt Strahm
- RHP Jeff Hoffman
- RHP Seranthony Dominguez
- RHP Connor Brogdon
- RHP Yunior Marte
- RHP Luis Ortiz
With just 4 more days until Opening Day, the roster is nearly set – just one bench spot remains up in the air, even if we know who it is likely to be. Be on the lookout for our report on who that ends up being.
Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP
