Philadelphia Phillies Starting Pitcher Target Agrees to Deal With Dodgers

Another piece is off the board for the Philadelphia Phillies as one of their pitching targets is heading elsewhere.

Despite having their starting rotation pretty solidified, the Philadelphia Phillies were still lurking around in free agency throughout the offseason, monitoring the starting pitching market.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the only player the Phillies reportedly offered a contract to, but they have also been linked to Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, and others.

Ownership and the front office will have to determine how much money they're willing to spend in the pursuit of a World Series title.

Philadelphia will have their highest payroll in franchise history during 2024 and likely will see their figure at the top of the league for the foreseeable future.

Adding another contract like Snell's or Montgomery's would solidify that.

Manager Rob Thomson said that he'd like more starting pitching options on the roster to limit the innings the Phillies' top guys will throw before the postseason. Some back-end options still remain and could be a possibility for them to sign on cheaper deals.

James Paxton was one of the those options.

The left-hander posted an ERA of 4.50 with the Boston Red Sox in 2023 after playing in only six games the prior three years, including missing all of 2022.

However, Paxton is reportedly heading to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a one-year, roughly $12 million deal according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

He'll likely be an innings eater for the Dodgers after they signed Yamamoto and traded for Tyler Glasnow this offseason. But there were some reports they may limit Walker Buehler to start the year as he makes his return from Tommy John surgery.

Philadelphia will have to go back to the drawing board if they want to add another pitcher to their rotation.