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Philadelphia Phillies: MLB Trade Rumors’ free agent predictions

By Tim Boyle

Jul 29, 2018; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A view of the sky and ballpark in the reflection of a pair of sunglasses in the dugout on an official Phillies New Era cap in the game of the Philadelphia Phillies against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2018; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A view of the sky and ballpark in the reflection of a pair of sunglasses in the dugout on an official Phillies New Era cap in the game of the Philadelphia Phillies against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia Phillies
Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Pitchers predicted to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies: Clayton Kershaw, Corey Knebel, Hector Neris, Mark Melancon

Along with a new shortstop and at least one top outfielder, the Phillies need to shop heavily in the pitching market. According to the MLBTR brass, there are four potential pitchers they could land.

Let’s start with the big fish: Clayton Kershaw. I have a difficult time imaging this lifelong Los Angeles Dodgers star coming to Philadelphia. He’s a kid from Texas and normally I envision everyone from the Lone Star state ending up with the Houston Astros or Texas Rangers are some point in their career. I still do.

More realistic are the three relievers on this list. Corey Knebel, Hector Neris, and Mark Melancon each receive a prediction.

Knebel could go a long way toward fortifying the back end of the bullpen. Limited in recent seasons due to injury he did have an All-Star year back in 2017 featuring a 1.78 ERA and 39 saves for the Milwaukee Brewers. This past season, in 25.2 innings with the Dodgers, he posted a 2.45 ERA.

I don’t really know what to say about Neris other than “been there, done that.” Sometimes change is good even if you feel like you end up with what might be a lesser pitcher. Relievers are impossible to predict. I’m lukewarm and continuing the relationship with Neris.

Finally, there’s Melancon. An older reliever coming off of an excellent season, he seems right up the alley of what the Phillies will end up doing to fill the closer role. I’m kind of okay with it. This is a guy that had 39 saves and a 2.23 ERA last season. However, this came as a member of the San Diego Padres who plays in a notoriously pitcher-friendly place.

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Which of these free agents do you think the Philadelphia Phillies end up with?

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