Philadelphia Phillies make a huge signing before Training, linked to 2 specific impact players
A new report suggests the Philadelphia Phillies are a popular choice among MLB executives to make a major splashy free agent signing before pitchers and catchers arrive at Spring Training next week.
After 10 years of being a .500 or under team, the Philadelphia Phillies have become one of the top squads in the National League and one that has built a reputation as being clutch in the playoffs. However, after losing in the 2022 World Series and coming up short in the NLCS last year, the hope was that the organization could add the last pieces to a title team this winter.
For the most part, the franchise has been fairly quiet this offseason and the most noteworthy move they have made thus far is re-signing homegrown star pitcher Aaron Nola. However, their patience may pay off and they could land one of the best players left on the free-agent market in the coming days.
On Sunday, USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale spilled a bit of tea making the rounds in league circles about two specific impact players the Phillies could add to the roster just days away from pitchers and catchers arriving at Spring Training.
“Several executives think the Philadelphia Phillies could be a sleeper for one of the remaining marquee free agents in starter Jordan Montgomery or center fielder Cody Bellinger,” Nightengale wrote. “Their lone big move has been re-signing Aaron Nola, and Bellinger certainly would provide Gold Glove-caliber defense and another bat to balance the lineup. Montgomery would strengthen the top of the rotation.”
Both have surprisingly remained on the free agent market this winter for the same reason. Both players have asking prices that have been considered too high by interested teams.
Bellinger is coming off his best season since winning the NL MVP award in 2019 after hitting 26 home runs and posting a .307 batting average for the Chicago Cubs last season. Montgomery has developed into a rock-solid middle-of-the-rotation starter in recent years and played a key role in the Texas Rangers championship team in 2023.
Imagine the day when the Phillies making news by adding a player with a .205/.250/.380 career line in over 280 plate appearances qualified as somewhat major news. Here in the slog that is the week before spring training, it qualifies as exactly that.
Castillo is known for anything but hitting, having played five defensive positions with the Pirates in 2022 and even getting to pitch a bit for Pittsburgh, getting to face Handsome Dave Robertson.
