The Phillies opened the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings with a bang, inking two-time All-Star shortstop, Trea Turner to an 11-year, $300 million deal.
They weren’t done there.
They signed former Mets starter Taijuan Walker and former Red Sox reliever Matt Strahm to fill some holes in the teams pitching department.
So how did former MLB GM Jim Bowden of The Athletic grade the Phillies offseason so far?
He gave Dave Dombrowski an A+.
The Phillies have improved more than any other team in the National League, highlighted by the signing of shortstop Trea Turner, who helps their team speed, power, defense and on-base percentage and gives them another way to score runs. They did a great job of prying Taijuan Walker away from the Mets to solidify the middle of their rotation. The acquisition of Matt Strahm gives them a second left-hander in the bullpen after José Alvarado, which they really needed. The Phillies appear to be largely done this offseason beyond looking to add some middle relievers.
It appears. Bowden thinks the Phillies might be done adding, outside of maybe some more bullpen help. However, if that’s the case the team still is a better team today than the one that was bounced in six games in the World Series against the Houston Astros.
One thing to keep in mind, the Phillies don’t exist in a vacuum, other teams are adding like the Mets and Astors.
Bowden gave the Mets an A for their offseason moves, which included adding for Astros ace Justin Verlander and Cardinals starter Jose Quintana.
They did an excellent job of pivoting after Jacob deGrom signed with the Rangers, landing Justin Verlander on a two-year deal with a vesting option for a third year. They acquired left-hander José Quintana on a reasonable two-year contract, especially when you consider the impressive end to his 2022 season. (The veteran posted a 2.01 ERA in 12 starts with St. Louis after Pittsburgh traded him.)
As for the World Series champs, they got a “B” after adding first baseman, José Abreu to their already deep lineup.
I loved the signing of first baseman José Abreu, who lengthens their lineup but also adds another important RBI bat and mentor for their young players.
Another NL challenger is the San Diego Padres, who added shortstop, Xander Bogaerts to their lineup, which will also be getting back Fernando Tatis Jr.
They got an A-
The Padres get an “A-” for actually signing shortstop Xander Bogaerts, even though they overpaid in both years and dollars. That said, Bogaerts is a complete player who also brings tremendous leadership and winning qualities. And adding him on the left side of the infield next to third baseman Manny Machado and to a lineup that includes Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Machado makes the Padres the early favorites to win the NL West in 2023.
So the grades are in, but the games and the rest of the offseason still need to be played, but the Phillies are off to a good start.
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