The Phils off-season thus far has been pretty boring- especially compared to the last few years with big name signings such as Bryce Harper and Trea Turner. Most of the moves they’ve made so far have not pushed the needle. Some are even off the team already. The player the Phillies have signed that seems like they could have an impact on the team is Whit Merrifield.

Throughout his career, Merrifield, has been a workhorse, and a speedster. He didn’t miss a game from 2019-2021 and only missed 4 the previous year. Also in that 3 year span, he led the league in at-bats. He also led the league in doubles in 2021, triples in 2019, and stolen bases in 2017, 2018, and 2021. Unfortunately, he’s lost a step over the last few years, but he’s still good at collecting hits. And will be available to play multiple positions. He’ll be able to be good relief for Marsh (or replacement for Rojas if he still can’t hit.) Merrifield could be a helpful addition to the team. All that being said, he’s not a needle pusher. We’re no closer- on paper- to winning a championship than before. So far… the off-season has been boring.

What’s The Solution

Boras. Scott Boras is one of the most high profile agents in all of sports- if not the most. In 2019 he got Bryce Harper a 330 million dollar deal with the Phillies and this year he won Alec Bohm an extra $400,000 in arbitration. He’s very familiar with holding out to squeeze every possible cent out of a deal. And right now he still has 5 big names unsigned: Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell, J.D. Martinez, Matt Chapman, and Jordan Montgomery.

My pick- Blake Snell. They all make strong arguments, but Snell is the most convincing. He’s only 31, his ERA is usually one of the lowest in the league, and his WHIP hovers between 1.2-1.3. Furthermore, a 3rd ace on this team would better benefit us than another hitter. Some people hoped that’d we’d sign Cody Bellinger to play center field- and that wouldn’t be bad. But right now the rotation of guys who could play centerfield is endless- Rojas, Marsh, Merrifield, Pache, and Cave. All those guys have good-elite defense, and serviceable bottom of the lineup hitting. Cody would be fine, but Snell would be even better.

So it’s up to the Phills- how is this year gonna go? Boring- or Boras?

-Tyler Wertz/ Olde City Sports Network