Define “A Little Bit Stupid”? Phillies Want To Spend Big, But Also Want To Be Smart About It

Philadelphia Phillies Owner, John Middletown, got Phillies fans really excited last week. In a press conference before leaving for the MLB Owners Meetings, Middletown had this to say about the Phillies offseason plans…

“We’re going into this expecting to spend money,’’ Middleton told USA TODAY Sports. “And maybe even be a little bit stupid about it.”

This statement has created more and more buzz about the Phillies going after the MLBs two best free agents, Bryce Harper & Manny Machado. But, two players don’t win you games. Two players cant carry you to victory. It is a team effort.

Now, yes, these two players are superstars and would take the Phillies to the next level. However, the Phillies need to fill other holes and make some changes to the roster to support these players.

To solve this problem, I talked with 94.1 WIPs and High Hopes Podcast Host, Jack Fritz, to get his thoughts on the Phillies should do this.




I asked Jack to give me a pitcher, position player, and one trade he would make. His answer didn’t shock my at all. Sign Charlie Morton. Sign Josh Donaldson. Trade Carlos Santana and cash for Clint Frazier.

It is no rumor the Phillies are shopping Carlos Santana around the MLB. Santana was brought in to move Hoskins to LF and give the Phillies another bat in the line-up. However, The Rhys Hoskins experiment in LF was a complete bust. No, I am not saying Rhys Hoskins is a bust. What I am saying is Rhys Hoskins the fielder is. Hoskins is a 1st baseman, not a corner outfielder.

In Jack’s trade offer, the Phillies are essentially getting younger and adding a better outfield replacement to Hoskins in left field. Hoskins moves back to first and Clint Frazier, former #5 overall pick by the Indians in 2013, takes over in left field for the Phillies.

Adding Frazier would strengthen a weak position for the Phillies in 2018. In 2018, the left field position was the biggest liability for the Phillies when it came to fielding stats. Mainly because they had a 1st baseman playing there. But, it also adds control and value to a position that may be looked over in the coming years when the Phillies have to pay some of their homegrown talent.




Signing Josh Donaldson would add stability to a position that saw 6 different starters at one point. After a slow start, Maikel Franco seemed to find his grove again. But, injuries put a halt to Franco’s season. This lead the Phillies to a rotation of starters at 3rd base ranging from JP Crawford to Scott Kingery to even Carlos Santana at seasons end.

But, could the Phillies rely on Franco not getting hurt again? Maybe. However, signing Donaldson would solve that issue and give you the flexibility to trade Franco to sure up the starting rotation or bullpen. Maikel Franco was once seen as the Phillies future at 3rd base. But, with the drafting of Alec Bohm last season, that future is in the rear-view mirror now.

The Charlie Morton signing is almost written in stone. After signing with the Phillies in 2016, Morton would only start 4 games with the Phils. Morton tore his hamstring running to 1st base to beat out a ground ball in just his 4th start with the club. Ending his tenure in Philadelphia before it even started.

However, now at the age of 35, and his 4th child born last September, Morton wants to come home and be close to his family. Where might that be? Delaware, just a short drive down I-95 from Philadelphia. If Morton wants to continue his MLB career, Philadelphia is a perfect spot.




The Phillies are in need of a reliable 4-5 starter. Someone who can get the ball every 5 days and give you a solid 5-6 innings. Adding Charlie Morton would give the Phillies a very solid back-end starter with middle rotation potential.

From talking with Jack, we both think their is someone else, other than Harper and Machado, the Phillies are going to give a blank check to and allow them to fill in it. That player? We just cant find someone who warrants that. However, Jack’s plans above allow the Phillies to spend big. But, also spend their money wisely on positions of need. Not want.

We came to the conclusion that this is a very solid Philadelphia Phillies Opening Day starting line-up…

Frazier – Herrera – Harper

Hoskins – Hernandez – Kingery – Donaldson

Alfaro




Remember, you can expect the Phillies to be as stupid as possible this offseason with their money. With guys like Aaron Nola, Rhys Hoskins, and others in need of big league contracts in the coming years, you can’t spend it all this season.

And, Fritz wanted me to remind everybody, Mike Trout is a free agent in 2020.