Philadelphia Phillies: 3 free agents who won’t be back in 2023 and why
By Tim Boyle
The Philadelphia Phillies can remain mostly intact for next season aside from maybe exploring the idea of trading a few major leaguers. The 2023 campaign could be the last big run they make with the current core as it’s after next year when the far bigger free agents will come off the books.
This coming offseason, the Phillies do have some significant free agents. Some include players with team or player options.
Some of those potential free agents have already sealed their fate. Corey Knebel’s season-ending injury will make him only a one-time member of the Phillies. Aaron Nola, meanwhile, is a guy with an option the team must pick up. These three others are a bit more debatable but we should expect each to be gone.
1. Phillies would be unwise to pick up Zach Eflin’s option
It’s hard to believe Zach Eflin was a guy the Phillies acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Jimmy Rollins trade. How has this much time gone by?
For years, we’ve heard about how great he’d become. Coaches loved him. Scouts had nothing but praise.
Unfortunately, after 13 starts in 2022, it’s clear Eflin will never be in that class of starting pitcher many hyped him up to become. He’s now 36-45 with a 4.53 ERA in his major league career. Health has been a major issue for Eflin whose abilities have been weighed down by missing so much action.
Eflin could be a candidate to come back but not on the current mutual option that would cost an astonishing $15 million. Eflin is far from a $15 million pitcher. Even if expenses were no issue, it’s probably time for the Phillies to move on.
Even regarding Eflin has nothing more than a fifth starter, he just can’t be trusted to stay on the field. Unless he’d be willing to return at a huge bargain, he is gone.