Sep 7, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet (45) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images Paul Rutherford
When the Phillies announced that former general manager Matt Klentak had been reassigned in October of 2020, managing partner John Middleton lamented the inability for the organization to develop talent for much of their history. Things have gotten much better under president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, with Preston Mattingly's recent promotion from director of player development to general manager good evidence of that. But Wednesday was a reminder that the Phillies' player development still has room to grow.
The Boston Red Sox acquired LHP Garrett Crochet for a package headlined by catcher Kyle Teel and outfielder Braden Montgomery on the final day of the MLB Winter Meetings. According to MLB Pipeline, Teel is the No. 25 prospect in baseball, while Montgomery is No. 54. Could the Phillies have matched that with an offer that included infielder Aidan Miller — the No. 26 prospect in baseball — and Justin Crawford, the No. 53 prospect? Perhaps. It would have decimated the system of the Phillies, though, as MLB Pipeline has Miller and Crawford ranked as the No. 1 and No. 3 prospects in the organization. While the Red Sox gave up two of the top 55 prospects in baseball, they held onto the top three prospects in their organization — outfielder Roman Anthony, shortstop Marcelo Mayer and IF/OF Kristian Campbell, all of whom are top 10 in the sport.
Entering the day at least, the Red Sox had arguably the best farm system in the sport, so they may be an extreme example. But the point still stands — they just made a trade for someone the Phillies clearly desired without leaving their farm system in shambles. If the Phillies had made the trade, it would have left them really thin on the farm, particularly since Andrew Painter likely will graduate to the majors in 2025. Granted, four years ago, the Phillies probably wouldn't have even had the prospects to get them to the table in these types of discussions. But the depth of the system is still a work in progress, because having a deep group of young talent is how you make these type of deals without worrying that you're mortgaging the future.
Keep in mind as people speculate about the Phillies signing qualified free agents in the coming weeks — such as Alex Bregman, Teoscar Hernández and Anthony Santander — that it can come back to bite you when a major player becomes available via trade. If the Phillies sign a qualified free agent this offseason, they will forfeit their second and fifth-round picks in 2025, in addition to losing $1 million from their international bonus pool. That's worth it if you're signing Bryce Harper. But it really hurts your organization in the long run when you give up those picks and bonus pool money to sign a qualified free agent that's not a sure thing, like when the Phillies signed Jake Arrieta before the 2018 season.
Yes, the Phillies want to put their best foot forward in trying to win a World Series during the back half of the primes of Harper, Zack Wheeler, Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Aaron Nola and Trea Turner. But they want to have young talent waiting so that after this group is no longer at the height of their powers, they don't go a decade without making the playoffs like they did from 2012-2021. And if there's a chance to extend the run of this group by adding another star, the Phillies want to have the ammo to make a trade without it having devastating results on their farm system.
Sandy Alcántara could become an interesting trade target in the future. (Eric Hartline/USA Today) 1. The Marlins told ace Sandy Alcántra back in August that they wouldn't trade him this offseason, according to Craig Mish of The Miami Herald. That's not exactly shocking considering he was less than a year removed from Tommy John surgery at that time. Still, I can't help but think that if he returns in 2025 and pitches anything like what he did from 2019 to 2023 — when he posted a 3.30 ERA over 132 starts — the Marlins will consider offers for him in the summer. The 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner is still only 29, and is owed a manageable $34.6 million total over the next two seasons with an affordable $21 million club option for 2027. He's the type of workhorse, when healthy, that would make you think about blowing up the farm system.
2. Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci says that the Phillies are interested in LHP Patrick Sandoval (H/T Destiny Lugardo of Phillies Nation). Sandoval had Tommy John surgery in June, meaning he's likely to miss all of 2025. But the Phillies could sign him to a two-year deal, keep an eye on his rehab in 2025 and then have him in their rotation in 2026. It's an interesting idea. He posted a 3.53 ERA and 3.72 FIP across 380 1/3 innings pitched between 2021 and 2023. He was the Opening Day starter for the Los Angeles Angels this past year.
3. I examined what it might take for the Phillies to pry Kyle Tucker away from the Houston Astros earlier today:
What would the Phillies have to give up to acquire Kyle Tucker? For @OnPattison, I put together the forefront of a possible trade package. Hint: It will make Phillies fans uncomfortable. https://t.co/e5ipauwi97
Phillies Won’t Be Getting Garrett Crochet, Who Looks Headed to the Red Sox
Writes @TimKellySports ⬇️https://t.co/GdnSqX2iwF
