Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Rumors: One-Year Left-Handed Relief Options

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Sep 30, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Burnett (17) throws to the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Phillies wanna save money, but they still need a lefty, or two. There’s multiple bargains still in the free agent market, lets find some fits.

The Phillies still have a huge hole on their 40-man roster, left-handed pitching. Finally, the Elvis Araujo era is over. And most recently, the David Rollins era begun. Add in Adam Morgan and low ball pitcher Elneiry Garcia, and you have all of the Phils lefties.

Three. Two likely headed for AAA or waivers in the near future (Rollins, Morgan), and one that’s a while away (Garcia).

There’s no denying the need for left-handers at this point, and there’s still plenty of free agents for the team to sign. They’re trying to address the need, signing LHP Sean Burnett to a one-year deal on Friday was a start, but expect the trend to continue. From more potential minor league veterans to potential loaded one-year deals, the Phillies still have options.

Apr 23, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz (17) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

If you connect the dots, a player like Brian Matusz makes a world of sense for the Phillies.

More from That Balls Outta Here

The soon-to-be 30-year old Brian Matusz is an intriguing option on the market. From 2013-2015 as a lefty specialist in Baltimore, Matusz posted a 3.32 ERA (3.50 FIP) while averaging 9.4 K/9 and a 1.220 WHIP. For his career (starting or relieving) left-handed hitters have just a .213 batting average against Matusz.

Struggles early on in 2016 had him bounce around through multiple teams and he never fell into the role in which he found comfort for three seasons.

A three-year stretch like that in one of the most hitter-friendly parks in baseball shouldn’t go unnoticed. Matusz was good, and now he can be had on a minor league deal in all likelihood.

Add in his relationship with Andy Macphail and Matt Klentak (drafted and signed by Macphail and his staff that included Klentak), and he seems like a nice fit for the club.

Oct 11, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Javier Lopez (49) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning of game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

The Phillies already signed one 39-year-old, so how about considering Javier Lopez as well?

Javier Lopez has had one heck of a career. From 2006-2015 the lefty killer posted terrific numbers for three different teams (BOS, PIT, SFG) with a 2.67 ERA and 3.66 FIP over four different world championship runs.

As mentioned, the name of Lopez’s game is getting out left-handed hitters. For his career the same side is hitting just .202 with a .572 OPS against Lopez. He doesn’t get over exposed much either, Lopez averages 68 appearances a season, but only 43 innings a season as well.

He does one thing, and he’s done it extremely well for a very long time. And that one thing is something the Phillies really need, let alone the veteran and championship experience he’d provide.

Want your voice heard? Join the That Balls Outta Here team!

His 2016 wasn’t his best season (4.05 ERA in 68 games, but only 26.1 innings pitched), but he still did his thing (sorta). Holding lefties to a .208 average and .626 OPS against him. If Lopez can figure out some command issues that held him back (but improved in the second half), than he’d be a decent pickup for a year at around $4-$5 million.

Sep 27, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher Mike Dunn (40) throws during the seventh inning against New York Mets at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

If Javier Lopez is the age equivalent to Joaquin Benoit, than Mike Dunn could be the price equivalent.

Phillies fans know this guy. Mike Dunn has been a fixture in the division rival Marlins bullpen for the last six seasons. During that time, Dunn has proven to be a pretty reliable reliever.

In his six seasons with the Marlins, Dunn has averaged 68 games and 55 innings a year, with solid all around numbers (3.59 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 9.8 K/9).

Dunn’s problem lies within his command (4.1 BB/9 and 1.338 WHIP with MIA). But still, Dunn has shown the ability to get both sides of the plate out (.228 BA/.638 OPS vs LH, .239 BA/.747 OPS vs RH for career), and is still just 31-years-old.

He finished 2016 with a 3.40 ERA in 42.1 innings of work (51 games), posting a career low 2.3 BB/9, but also a career low 8.1 K/9. Dunn also finished the season on a down note, posting a 6.00 ERA over his final 13 games. Stretched out further, Dunn posted a 4.09 ERA over his final 30 with a .294 average against (both sides).

Dunn ended the year with reversed results, finishing with a .278 average versus lefties and .263 versus righties. However, he’s an easy bounce-back candidate.

He’s only made $8.9 million in his career, and being just 31 coming off a shaky year, Dunn could benefit from a hefty one-year deal. He’d make as much (or slightly less) than he’s already made in his career, and if he has a typical season by his standards, could break the bank next offseason (not to mention the trade possibility).

Jul 27, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher David Rollins (59) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning in an inter-league game at PNC Park. The Pirates won 10-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Phillies still have work to do with their bullpen.

More from That Balls Outta Here

As stands, the Phils bullpen would be as followed: Hector Neris, Joaquin Benoit, Edubray Ramos, Pat Neshek, Jeanmar Gomez, Sean Burnett or David Rollins, and Joely Rodriguez. The right-handed portion could be finished, but from a sheer depth standpoint alone the team needs to make more signings.

Matusz is easily the most intriguing of the listed, he’s fairly young still and could present big upside at a bargain price. Lopez would be the sure thing, knowing he’ll be able to do what you need, but nothing more.

Dunn represents a high-risk/high-reward scenario. He’s not as sure of a thing as Joaquin Benoit (high-priced, one-year deal) whose track record says he’ll be able to bring in the Phils something via trade (if they choose to do so). And while the club has the money, no team wants to waste $8-$10 million on a reliever with no trade value, albeit on a one-year deal.

Be sure to check out my right-handed relief options for one-year deals, and check back in with TBOH for all things Phillies.

This article originally appeared on

share

Get more from Philadelphia Phillies Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Philadelphia Phillies

Major League Baseball