Major League Baseball

Phillies 2017 Offseason Given A- Grade by Sports Illustrated

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:52 p.m. ET

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Fansided, John Town/FanSided via That Balls Outta Here

Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated gave the Philadelphia Phillies an A- grade for the moves they made during this offseason.

Looking at this offseason on a MLB-wide scale, few would bring up the moves the Phillies made. The White Sox kickstarted their rebuild with two blockbuster trades, and several closers earned record-breaking contracts. Comparatively, the moves made by Philadelphia were rather minute.

However, Sports Illustrated’s Stephanie Apstein took note of the moves made by general manager Matt Klentak. She gave the club an A- grade, saying “they accelerated their rebuild with an eye on bigger moves in the years to come.”

The first move Apstein highlighted was trading for Clay Buchholz in exchange for “middling” second base prospect Josh Tobias. She pointed out his inconsistency in Boston, although she did note that his fastball velocity has been the same. Apstein called the move low-risk, citing the fact that Buchholz will be a free agent this offseason.

Apstein also talked about the acquisitions of relievers Pat Neshek and Joaquin Benoit, saying the two “will help stabilize the bullpen.” As with anyone who speaks on the Phils’ moves this winter, she brought up the potential for trading each of them at the trade deadline.

The Phils also retained Jeremy Hellickson after he became the fourth person to accept a qualifying offer since the system was put in place in 2012.

Apstein did mention that it was “certainly not the result Philadelphia…had in mind when it extended him one.” Regardless, Hellickson returning eliminated the need to find another starter in free agency or through a trade.

Turning towards the position players, the only change in the infield is Tommy Joseph becoming the full-time starter at first base as Ryan Howard‘s option was declined. Apstein said, “the club did not have to think too hard about declining the $25 million option on Howard, who posted a career-low 87 OPS+.” This season will be Joseph’s time to prove he can be a major-league caliber first baseman.

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The corner outfield positions needed a major revamp this year, and they got exactly that with the trade for Howie Kendrick and the signing of Michael Saunders. Kendrick is set to play left field and Saunders will be in right.

In regards to “unfinished business”, Apstein said a lefty starter “would help” but what the club ultimately needs is time to allow their core of prospects to develop. With J.P. Crawford, Jorge Alfaro, and Nick Williams all set to reach the majors this year, Apstein expects the team to be good as soon as 2018.

Overall, Apstein praised Klentak for sticking to short-term commitments while leaving the future open. She said:

Next: Rhys Hoskins Named No. 9 1B Prospect by MLB.com

The Phils didn’t make any particularly bad moves this offseason. Soon we will see if they all pay off.

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