3 Former Phillies Players Philadelphia Can Sign for a Reunion 2024
By Thomas Erbe
The 2023 Philadelphia Phillies fell just short of reaching their second straight World Series in as many years after dropping games 6 and 7 of the NLCS at "The Bank" in stunning fashion. The hottest bats in the league turned ice cold and the Arizona Diamondbacks shocked the world, celebrating on the field, leaving the Philly faithful in shock.
As disappointing of an ending last year was, the Phills still find themselves in a great spot to return to the postseason in 2024 with a roster that now has lost in disappointing fashion two years in a row.
Bryce Harper will return as the everyday first baseman as Rhys Hoskins will hit the free agency market, looking for a new home to return after a lost 2023 due to a torn ACL. Aaron Nola is already reported to return after agreeing to a 7-year deal earlier this month. The roster is already shaping out to be a nice blend of young talent and veteran presence that usually formulates into October baseball.
Objectively, there is not much free agency and/or the trade market could do to improve what is here to stay through at least 2024. Granted, if Shohei Ohtani magically falls into the breadbasket, you'll do what is necessary to make that happen. But other than that, the key focus for the front office is going to be focused on veteran depth at a couple key roster spots.
Specifically, there are three former Phillies that are free agents this year and can play a nice role in 2024.
David Robertson Could Help Fill Out the Bullpen
David Robertson has had two separate stints with the Phillies as a relief pitcher. After a successful start to his career with the New York Yankees and a couple of seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Robertson signed in Philly as a free agent in 2019 and was traded by the Cubs to the Phills near the deadline in 2022.
He appeared 22 times for Philly and had a 2.70 ERA in that run to the World Series. R
obertson split time with the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins in 2023. He'll be in his age 39 season in 2024, so a cheap and short-term contract should do the trick for a veteran arm that is still reliable in key spots looking to end his career on a high note.
We saw in the postseason how important it is to not only have depth in the bullpen, but also confidence in the guy you are giving the ball to. I do not have to remind Phillies fans of the feeling they had seeing the ball be handed to Craig Kimbrel with the game on the line in the playoffs.
Win or lose, it felt like the last 1-2 innings lasted longer than the rest of the game.
Robertson can provide the quick innings and the assurance that more times than not, the job will be done efficiently and effectively.