The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly eyeing an intriguing, if somewhat risky, option for their starting rotation in the offseason: a free-agent pitcher who will not see the mound in 2025 due to injury. While this may seem like an unorthodox move for a team focused on championship contention, there are factors at play that make this potential acquisition worth considering.
The pitcher in question is likely to be a high-upside player who has demonstrated excellence in the past but is currently sidelined due to significant injury. The nature of the injury, as well as the timeline for recovery, could leave the player out for the entirety of the 2025 season, leading some to wonder why the Phillies would pursue him at all. The answer lies in the longer-term perspective and the philosophy that the front office might be adopting.
For the Phillies, the postseason window is wide open. With stars like Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and Zack Wheeler leading the team, Philadelphia is in the midst of a competitive window that could extend for several more years. The Phillies have made playoff appearances in recent seasons, including a 2022 World Series run, and their roster is built to contend. As such, they may be willing to make a strategic investment in a pitcher whose absence from the 2025 season won’t jeopardize their immediate future, especially if that pitcher is expected to contribute significantly beyond that year.
The move to target a pitcher who won’t pitch in 2025 could signal a long-term strategy for the Phillies. While the team’s current rotation is solid, the future is always uncertain in Major League Baseball, especially when dealing with injuries. The Phillies’ front office might see the potential to bolster their rotation with a player who, once healthy, could offer significant value in 2026 and beyond.
Should the team decide to go down this path, they would be betting that the pitcher’s recovery is on track and that he can contribute at a high level once he returns to action. By signing such a player in the offseason, the Phillies would be able to negotiate a deal that might involve a discounted salary or a shorter-term contract, thus mitigating some of the risk involved. In essence, they could get a quality pitcher for a reasonable price, who could be a key piece of the rotation when healthy.
While the focus is primarily on the long-term, the addition of an injured pitcher could have implications for the 2024 season as well. The Phillies could sign this player with the knowledge that they’ll need to rely on their current rotation for the immediate future. With ace Zack Wheeler and veteran Aaron Nola, the team has a strong 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. If the team can stay healthy and continue to perform at a high level, the need for an additional arm in 2025 might not be as pressing.
Additionally, the front office could use the time between now and the pitcher’s return to continue evaluating their internal options. They have young talent in their system, and some of those prospects could fill in during the injured pitcher’s absence. The injury itself might give other players a chance to develop, whether in the bullpen or as spot starters.
The financials of this type of deal would be fascinating to track. Given that the pitcher will not be contributing to the team’s immediate success, the contract might be structured in a way that reflects that absence. The Phillies could negotiate a lower annual salary, with performance-based incentives or deferred payments contingent on the player’s return to form. Alternatively, they could offer the player a longer-term deal that could provide more stability for the pitcher and potentially lower their cap hit in the short term.
Such a contract might allow the Phillies to continue pursuing other upgrades in the 2024 offseason, whether in the bullpen, bench depth, or additional rotation help. In this sense, signing an injured player could be seen as a move to shore up future depth while remaining financially flexible for the upcoming season.
In a season where every move seems to have immediate implications, the Philadelphia Phillies’ reported interest in an injured free-agent pitcher represents a calculated risk. If the team can navigate the uncertain waters of injury recovery and manage expectations around the pitcher’s timeline, they could add a key piece to their rotation in the coming years, without jeopardizing their current competitive window.
This strategy would require a clear understanding of the player’s medical situation and how he fits into the team’s long-term plans, but if executed well, it could pay off handsomely for the Phillies. In baseball, sometimes the most interesting moves are the ones that prioritize the future, and it seems the Phillies are willing to take that gamble.
