The Philadelphia Phillies are poised to make just minor acquisitions before Opening Day. De spite the need for another bullpen component, the front management was never interested in giving Josh Hader the mega-deal he eventually got with the Houston Astros.
They were looking closely at Robert Stephenson before he committed to a contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
As the relief market dwindles, the Phillies are allegedly interested in two different pitchers who are still free agents. “The Phillies were in contact with righty Phil Maton, according to various sources, but nothing has happened. According to a source, they are interested in Jakob Junis, but the 31-year-old righty would be better suited as a multi-inning swingman than a late-game alternative,” says Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Both pitchers are still relatively young (under 32 years old) yet have seven seasons of experience.
Phil Maton has been a member of the Astros’ bullpen, which has been one of the finest in baseball over the last three years, with an ERA of 3.67 and an ERA+ of 111 in 162 games and 157 innings worked. He’s also been dominant in the playoffs, decreasing his ERA when it counts the most. Jakob Junis would be a less polished choice. He has a 4.64 lifetime ERA for the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants. His ERA+ is five percentage points lower than the typical pitcher.
Junis, on the other hand, is a former starter who might provide the pitching staff with many more choices if an injury occurs or if he is required to throw for lengthy periods of time. As Lauber said, nothing has transpired in Philadelphia’s relief quest. This will be monitored until something is done.
