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Phillies' rotation is set, but they can't procrastinate on adding depth
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- Phillies' rotation is set, but they can't procrastinate on adding depth
Phillies' rotation is set, but they can't procrastinate on adding depth originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
When the Phillies optioned Andrew Painter to Triple-A in June, they did not simply create an opening in their starting rotation.
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They exposed what sat behind it.
Alan Rangel received the first opportunity, occasionally working behind an opener before making three starts of his own. Brian Keller made his major-league debut as the bulk pitcher behind Tim Mayza.
Across the 16 games not started by Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, Aaron Nola or Painter, the Phillies went 2-14.
The pitchers used in the starting slot combined for a 7.01 ERA and 1.85 WHIP.
More than half of those starts were openers. The arrangement placed additional strain on a bullpen that already lacked enough dependable arms.
The situation stabilized when Painter returned July 31. He posted a 3.65 ERA over his final 11 starts, including a 3.27 mark with 44 strikeouts in 41⅓ innings across his final seven.
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Painter's finish, along with Nola's second-half rebound, gives the Phillies a complete projected rotation entering 2027. Nola followed a 5.75 first-half ERA with a 3.34 ERA after the All-Star break.
"I'm not sure there are too many clubs in baseball that like their starting rotation better than ours," president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said at the Phillies' end-of-season press conference. "That's a very good place to start."
The Phillies do not need another pitcher who requires a permanent rotation spot. They need someone who can begin the season in the bullpen, cover multiple innings and make a start without requiring several weeks to build up.
Spencer Turnbull filled that role in 2024 after signing a one-year, $2 million contract. He replaced an injured Taijuan Walker in the rotation and recorded a 1.67 ERA over six starts before returning to the bullpen.
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A shoulder injury ended Turnbull's season, but the construction of the signing worked. The Phillies used one roster spot to cover two areas of their pitching staff.
When Wheeler's 2025 season ended because of venous thoracic outlet syndrome, the Phillies signed Walker Buehler to a minor-league contract two days after the Red Sox released him. He joined the rotation in September and pitched well, recording a 0.66 ERA over 13⅔ innings between two starts and one relief appearance.
The Phillies returned to the same late-season market in 2026 after not adding comparable depth over the winter.
They signed Nestor Cortes on Aug. 19 even though the veteran left-hander had not pitched in a professional game all year. Cortes eventually made three appearances for Lehigh Valley but never reached the majors.
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After Luzardo went on the injured list with shoulder inflammation in September, the Phillies claimed José Urquidy off waivers from the White Sox. He provided 7⅓ innings over two appearances but was ineligible for the postseason.
For the second straight year, the Phillies were searching for rotation help in the middle of a playoff race.
Dombrowski made the distinction when discussing the club's offseason priorities.
"It's not starting pitching. It's starting-pitching depth," he said. "We'll get some more starting-pitching depth."
The upper-level alternatives Philadelphia used last season offered little reassurance.
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Rangel finished with a 5.88 ERA over 26 major-league innings and a 5.58 ERA at Triple-A. Keller allowed one run over three innings in his lone appearance for Philadelphia but posted a 6.62 ERA in 17 starts for Lehigh Valley.
Chuck King was the only IronPigs pitcher to make at least 10 starts and finish with an ERA below 5.00. Tucker Davidson, Drake Fellows, Ryan Cusick, Bryse Wilson and Keller each finished above that mark.
What about their top pitching prospect?
Gage Wood should not be the immediate answer
Gage Wood could change the organization's pitching depth during the season, but his development should not be rushed.
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The Phillies' 2025 first-round selection finished his first full professional season with a 4.36 ERA and 139 strikeouts over 95 innings. He began with Single-A Clearwater, skipped High-A and finished with the Double-A Reading club.
Wood has made only 26 professional starts and has never pitched at Triple-A.
His strikeout and walk numbers remained impressive during the second half, but his results became less consistent. Wood posted a 5.05 ERA over his final 12 starts, allowing opponents a .768 OPS. He also struck out 74 and walked only 13 in 51⅔ innings.
Painter's season showed why the Phillies need room to make development decisions without weakening their major-league staff. His six weeks with Lehigh Valley allowed him to correct his delivery and rediscover his fastball, but the demotion left Philadelphia scrambling for innings.
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Adding a veteran would allow Wood's performance to determine when he reaches the majors.
So, who's out there?
Four possible fits
Ryan Yarbroughoffers the clearest low-cost fit.
The left-hander, who turns 35 in December, made 38 appearances for the Yankees in 2026 and finished with a 3.69 ERA over 63⅓ innings. He started twice, recorded three saves and regularly worked more than three outs.
Yarbrough's fastball velocity ranked near the bottom of the league, but opponents produced a 25 percent hard-hit rate against him, the lowest rate in the majors. His 3.39 expected ERA was also lower than his actual mark.
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He has made 78 career starts and earned $2.5 million last season. Another one-year contract between $3 million and $5 million would represent a reasonable estimate after his 2026 performance. He also has considerable postseason experience, making eight appearances in October.
Cal Quantrillwould carry the strongest recent results and the largest price.
After recording a 4.98 ERA in 2024 and a 6.04 ERA in 2025, Quantrill returned to Texas on a minor-league contract. He went 9-5 with a 2.86 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 110 innings, posting a 2.47 ERA in 15 starts and a 3.78 ERA across 17 relief appearances.
A lat strain ended his season in September, but his performance should produce opportunities that were unavailable last winter. Quantrill may receive a guaranteed rotation spot elsewhere, and a one-year contract in the mid-to-high single-digit millions — or a multiyear offer at a similar annual value — appears possible.
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Erick Feddehandled the most balanced workload of the group.
The right-hander threw 141 innings for the White Sox, nearly dividing them between 15 starts and 18 relief appearances. He posted a 3.86 ERA from the rotation and a 3.80 mark out of the bullpen.
Fedde earned $1.5 million last season. His workload should lead to a raise, although a 4.79 expected ERA and 16.3 percent strikeout rate could limit his market. A one-year deal between $4 million and $7 million would reflect the value of his versatility without pricing him as an established starter.
Drew Andersonwould be the most expensive option, if he becomes available.
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Originally selected by the Phillies in the 21st round of the 2012 draft, Anderson appeared in the majors for Philadelphia during parts of three seasons from 2017-19. After spending two years in Japan and then two in Korea, the right-hander returned to the majors with Detroit and posted a 3.67 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 114 strikeouts over 108 innings. He made 49 appearances, including 11 starts, and recorded two saves.
Anderson, who did a solid job generating chase and ground balls, was particularly effective when the Tigers moved him into the rotation, posting a 2.61 ERA over 51⅔ innings as a starter. His 4.46 FIP in those games provides some reason for caution, but he missed more bats than the other pitchers in this group.
Detroit holds a $10 million club option for 2027 after paying Anderson $7 million last season. His performance gives the Tigers a strong reason to exercise it. If they decline, Anderson's ability to start, pitch in relief and generate strikeouts would likely place his price closer to the option value than the lower-cost tier occupied by Yarbrough and Fedde.
The Phillies have more expensive needs this winter. Their offense needs another right-handed hitter, their bullpen requires multiple additions and the infield could look different by Opening Day.
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A pitcher from this group would give Don Mattingly a multi-inning option when the rotation is intact and a traditional starter when it is not.
After spending the last two stretch runs searching for available innings, the Phillies should address that job before another injury forces them back into the market.
