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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) /
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Sep 1, 2020; Miami, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Robbie Ray (38) delivers a pitch in the 5th inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2020; Miami, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Robbie Ray (38) delivers a pitch in the 5th inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Robbie Ray

2020 Team: Arizona Diamondbacks/Toronto Blue Jays

2020 Salary: $9.43 million

Just over a year ago and Robbie Ray was the heartthrob of the MLB. His strikeout numbers were absolutely through the roof, and scouts around the league felt it was only a matter of time before he returned to his All-Star caliber form of 2017 (2.89 ERA).

Ray was a common name tossed around at both last year’s trade deadline and this year’s trade deadline, with the Blue Jays being the ones to eventually pull the trigger on him. Ray had struggled mightily through the first half of the 2020 season, posting an ERA in the high 6.00s through his first 11 starts. The Blue Jays, making a push for the expanded postseason, were hoping that they would end up with a better version of Ray down the stretch.

Well, Toronto kinda got a better version of Ray, but still nothing that was all that special. He recorded a 4.79 ERA across 20.2 innings, while his strikeout rate dipped by 1.6 Ks per nine innings.

At just 29 years old Ray will still likely drum up some interest on the open market, but it’s tough to know just what version of Ray we’ll all see throughout the rest of his career. He’s flashed legit Cy Young potential in the past, but has failed to keep it up consistently. The Philadelphia Phillies have a lot of faith in pitching coach Bryan Price, and desperately need a lefty in their rotation, so taking a bounce-back shot on someone like Ray could very well be in the cards.

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