The Philadelphia Phillies just wrapped up a hectic offseason, much of which centered on retaining key players Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto in Philadelphia.
While they succeeded in keeping those stars, the front office also strengthened the roster in other areas. The bullpen received a boost with signings like Brad Keller, Jonathan Bowlan, Kyle Backhus, and Zach Pop, and the Phillies added outfielder Adolis Garcia to the mix.
Not all moves went their way, however. The team was unable to re-sign starting pitcher Ranger Suarez, who opted for a deal with the Boston Red Sox. As of now, Philadelphia still lacks a replacement starter.
Adding to their pitching concerns, Zack Wheeler will be unavailable to start the season while recovering from surgery performed last September to address venous thoracic outlet syndrome and a blood clot. Wheeler isn’t expected to return until late April or early May.
With that gap to fill, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter suggests the Phillies could be an ideal landing spot for free agent pitcher Lucas Giolito.
Reuter notes that with Andrew Painter likely slated for the No. 5 starter role—unless Bryse Wilson or Tucker Davidson make an unexpected push—the Phillies are one of the few logical fits for Giolito, who posted a 3.41 ERA in 145 innings with the Red Sox last season.
Giolito remains one of the top arms still available on the market. Coming off a strong season with a 10-4 record and a 3.41 ERA across 145 innings, he could help bridge the Phillies’ rotation until Wheeler returns.
