Now that they’ve traded Vance Worley to Minnesota, the Phillies need to add to their starting rotation. But don’t expect them to spend on a prominent free agent starter such as Ryan Dempster or Edwin Jackson. Instead, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports, they’re looking to sign a pitcher to a one-year deal.
"We'll probably look to add a low-risk, high-reward type of guy, or somebody's who's come back from an injury, or someone like that who can battle for that fifth spot," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said this weekend. "A lot of teams have had some success looking for that guy late in the season and finding that productive guy."
Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Kyle Kendrick presently project as the team's top four starters. Right now Tyler Cloyd projects as the Phillies' fifth starter, though there's a good chance that will change by the time Spring Training begins. MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker offers a complete look at the remaining unsigned starters.
