Philadelphia Phillies: 3 free agents to steal from the Mets this offseason

1. Phillies should steal starting pitcher Taijuan Walker from the Mets

Another starting pitcher for the Phillies to pry away from the Mets is Taijuan Walker. He’s also only a potential free agent because of his contract. However, because of how well he has pitched this year, he looks bound to test the open market. The Phillies shouldn’t hesitate to call.

Walker is a few years younger than Bassitt and while not quite as good at his best, someone the team could look as a turnaround candidate. Wheeler was in a similar situation before he arrived in Philadelphia. Due diligence by the scouts is a must in assessing whether or not Walker is right for the Phillies.

We shouldn’t expect the Phillies to nab both Bassitt and Walker away from New York. That’s greedy. It’s also unnecessary. More than anything, it’s unlikely.

Next year’s Phillies rotation will be Wheeler, Nola, Ranger Suarez, and maybe one of these current Mets pitchers. The other spot would probably go to someone a little more affordable. That wouldn’t be Zach Eflin who has a $15 million option for next year. There is no way he should get that.

The Phillies will need to have a much different offseason from 2022-2023. They don’t need power. They could use a little Mets magic.