The Philadelphia Phillies could be looking to make a rotation move this offseason, whether they want to or not. For some reason, the Phillies seem to be more confident than they should be with their starting rotation, despite the fact that there are many questions.
With questions piling up behind Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Andrew Painter, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter predicted that Philadelphia could turn to veteran Max Scherzer.
In Reuter’s prediction, Ranger Suarez signs elsewhere, and Wheeler is expected to open the season on the injured list, leaving the Phillies thin early in the year.
“With Ranger Suárez projected to sign elsewhere in these predictions and Zack Wheeler expected to open the year on the injured list, the Phillies will need to do something to shore up the back of the rotation.
“Stretching out Brad Keller is one possibility after he was signed to a two-year, $22 million deal last month, while top prospect Andrew Painter will also get a long look this spring. However, this could be the perfect landing spot for Max Scherzer as he chases another title in the late stages of his Hall of Fame career,” he wrote.
They have internal options, but we can’t sit here and act like Painter is a guarantee by any means. He was average at best in Triple-A a year ago.
Brad Keller was brought in as a bullpen option, but I don’t hate the idea of him starting games at times, as Reuter suggested.
Painter remains the future of the rotation, but asking him to pitch real innings late in the season is a tough ask for a young right-hander.
Even at this stage of his career, Scherzer still knows how to get outs, compete, and handle pressure. He showed that in Game 7 of the World Series.
The Phillies wouldn’t need him to be dominant, but they’d need him to give them innings and keep them healthy until Wheeler is good to go and Painter is established, if he even starts the season in the show.
I wouldn’t say I love the idea, but there are far worse options out there for the Phillies to pursue. However, I'm passing on someone like Scherzer, or any older veteran for that matter.