The Philadelphia Phillies made a big splash Sunday evening, landing starting pitcher Jake Arrieta on a three-year, $75 million pact.
Philadelphia has been rebuilding the past several seasons, but are now ready to try and thrust themselves back into contention. They have also signed first baseman Carlos Santana and relievers Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter this winter.
Coupled with pitcher Aaron Nola, outfielders Rhys Hoskins and Odubel Herrera and infielder J.P. Crawford with many other legit prospects waiting in the wings, the Phillies are setting themselves up for prolonged success.
However, will that success come this year?
It was a little surprising to see Philadelphia invest in pricey free agents such as Arrieta and Santana, with the latter coming very early on in the offseason and with many other options still on the board at first base. But I digress.
While they have a bright future ahead, the Phillies still have some glaring holes, especially in their rotation and bullpen.
They could feasibly win 80 games though, which means the Mets can’t just go into Citizens Bank Park and steamroll them like they have done in recent seasons.
Signing Arrieta also gives them a big arm who will be a tough customer to face in September games when the season is coming down to the wire.
For this year, it seems as though the Phillies will be in the thick of things but will ultimately fall short of supplanting the Nationals or Mets atop the division. Although, they will be much more competitive than the Miami Marlins or Atlanta Braves.
Perhaps what is most perplexing in there case is why they didn’t just wait until next offseason when the market will be a lot more plentiful. Instead, they guaranteed Arrieta $25 million annually, and next year will be entering his age-33 season.
Either way, the Phillies have gotten a lot better and will give the Mets and Nationals a little competition this season.
What are your thoughts on Philadelphia going into 2018? Are they a force to be reckoned with?
