MLB Insider links the Phillies to Flame-Throwing Reliever
After the Philadelphia Phillies made their first big move this offseason, re-signing Aaron Nola, the front office was tasked with adding more pieces to help them get back to the World Series.
When looking at what the Phillies need to add, pitching is always something that comes up. This team is one of the best teams in Major League Baseball, and adding pitchers is always in their best interest.
Last season, Philadelphia had one of the best teams in the league. One of the main reasons this team can continue to play elite baseball a year after losing in the World Series is that their bullpen is one of the best in baseball.
His ERA was 3.58, ranking 7th on the team, and his WHIP was 1.27, ranking in the top 10. But while the bullpen has been successful, it has weakened somewhat in the postseason, giving the front office reason to look for ways to improve.
With so many arms available, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand thinks Jordan Hicks is a good fit. The Phillies are unlikely to pursue Josh Hader to fill a last-minute need. That’s because lefties are expected to get the biggest deals for relievers. Hicks possesses an elite fastball (averaging 160.1 mph last season) and is among the league’s best in ground ball rate (96th percentile), average exit velocity (89th) and strikeout rate shots (83). 20% had it. “He would fit well with Cerantoni Dominguez and Jose Alvarado in the Philadelphia backfield,” he wrote.
As the Phillies look for stronger arms, adding another flamethrower to this bullpen alongside Jose Alvarado could be devastating for opponents.
