Section 215
Fansided

10 starting pitchers the Philadelphia Phillies could target in free agency

By David Esser

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Marcus Stroman #0 of the New York Mets in action during an intra squad game at Citi Field on July 17, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Marcus Stroman #0 of the New York Mets in action during an intra squad game at Citi Field on July 17, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 10
Next
Jul 12, 2020; Flushing Meadows, New York, United States; New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) pitches during a simulated game during summer camp workouts at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2020; Flushing Meadows, New York, United States; New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) pitches during a simulated game during summer camp workouts at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Marcus Stroman

2020 Team: New York Mets

2020 Salary: $12 million

In my opinion, the second best starting pitcher available on the market this offseason, Marcus Stroman presents a solid consolation prize to the before mentioned Bauer. If the Philadelphia Phillies are dead set on making a big time upgrade to their rotation, but get priced out of Bauer, “settling” for Stroman would be a really solid second option.

Stroman had an extremely productive first half to his 2019 season, pitching to a tune of a 2.96 ERA and making the All-Star game as a Toronto Blue Jay. He was then traded away to the New York Mets at the deadline, appearing in eleven starts for them.

Stroman chose to opt out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, which could in all reality help lower his asking price on the open market. He still appears to be in solid pitching shape, but you never know with someone who hasn’t played at game speed in over year.

A master of both timing and pitch control, Stroman would slot in quite beautifully behind Nola and Wheeler for the next couple of seasons. It doesn’t hurt that a move for the right-hander would once again damage the Mets and their respective pitching staff.

Home/Philadelphia Phillies