One Trade, One Signing Phillies Made…

The Phillies will probably be active in the market this offseason, as they usually are, having already signed pitcher Aaron Nola to a big contract this offseason. On their roster, there are some names that have been mentioned as potential additions to strengthen the team in preparation for another deep postseason run in 2024.

Trade: Trade outfielder Nick Castellanos to the Angels for a pair of outfielders

Castellanos had a strong season in 2023 following a lackluster debut campaign with the Phillies in 2022. Slashing .After signing a five-year, $100 million contract with the Phillies in March of 2022, he appeared to be much more of the hitter they had hoped he would be, hitting 272/.311/.787 with 68 extra-base hits and 106 RBI.
Due to make $20M over each of the next three seasons, the Phillies don’t need to deal Castellanos, but if a deal arises that could improve the club chances are they would listen to it.

The Angels just lost slugger Shohei Ohtani to their cross-town rival Los Angeles Dodgers and will likely be in the market to try and replace his production as much as they can. Castellanos could be just what they need.

Sending Castellanos to the Angels for outfielders Taylor Ward and Jo Adell not only helps with the cap situation in Philadelphia, it also gives them added depth to a thin outfield.

Over the past two seasons, Ward has put up a .269/.349/.451 slash line with 79 extra-base hits and 112 RBI in 232 games played.

Despite having a strong season in the minors—24 home runs in 74 games in Triple-A this season—Adell has not been able to carry over that success into the major leagues. Having played in 178 MLB games, with a slash line of.214/.259/.366 and 18 home runs and 66 RBI, a move to a new place might be just what he needs to reach his full potential.

A Phillies outfield consisting of Ward, Adell, Brandon Marsh, Kyle Schwarber and Johan Rojas would give the team the ability to shift Schwarber to designated hitter and keep his suspect defensive out of the equation.  

Signing: Sign closer Josh Hader

Relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel chose to sign with the Baltimore Orioles, leaving a void in the back of the bullpen in Philadelphia. With maybe the most sought-after free-agent relief pitcher to hit the market in recent memory available, it seems like a perfect match.

Fresh off a 2023 season that saw him convert 33 of 38 save opportunities with a 1.28 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 56.1 innings pitched, left-hander Hader is looking for a historic deal for a closer and he will likely get it.

In his seven years in the Major League, Hader, who is only 29 years old, has already amassed staggering stats, striking out 648 batters in 388.2 innings pitched while converting 165 of his 190 save opportunities.

His career 15.01 K/9 is on pace to be the highest MLB history if he reaches enough innings by the end of his career.

Hader is expected to sign a five-year, $87.5M contract, according to Spotrac’s market value calculator, but he will probably get a deal closer to $100M, which is another reason it makes sense to move on from Castellanos’ $20M a year if you can bring in one of the best closers to take the mound.