Phillies Prioritize Flexible Arms Over Starters for 2027

The Philadelphia Phillies have secured a complete five-man starting rotation for the 2027 season, but front office officials say their most urgent need is not another starter. The organization requires pitchers who can begin the year in the bullpen, cover multiple innings, and transition to starting duties without lengthy build-up periods. This flexibility aims to prevent the mid-season scramble for innings that plagued the team during the 2026 campaign.

In June, the Phillies optioned Andrew Painter to Triple-A, leaving a gap behind the top four starters. The team went 2-14 in the 16 games not started by Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, Aaron Nola, or Painter. Pitchers used in the starting slot combined for a 7.01 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP, while the bullpen absorbed extra workload. Painter returned on July 31 and posted a 3.65 ERA over his final 11 starts, stabilizing the staff. Nola also rebounded, lowering his ERA from 5.75 in the first half to 3.34 after the All-Star break.

Dave Dombrowski, the president of baseball operations, stated at the end-of-season press conference that the club is in a strong position with its current starters. "I’m not sure there are too many clubs in baseball that like their starting rotation better than ours," Dombrowski said. "That’s a very good place to start." He clarified the offseason focus by adding, "It’s not starting pitching. It’s starting-pitching depth. We’ll get some more starting-pitching depth."

The Phillies have previously used one-year contracts to fill this role. Spencer Turnbull signed for $2 million in 2024, recorded a 1.67 ERA over six starts, and returned to the bullpen before a shoulder injury ended his season. In 2025, Walker Buehler joined on a minor-league contract and posted a 0.66 ERA over 13⅔ innings. However, the 2026 offseason saw the team sign Nestor Cortes in August, a move that did not yield major-league results. They also claimed José Urquidy off waivers in September, who was ineligible for the postseason.

Internal options have offered limited reassurance. Alan Rangel finished with a 5.88 ERA over 26 major-league innings, while Brian Keller posted a 6.62 ERA in 17 starts for Lehigh Valley. Only Chuck King among the IronPigs starters finished with an ERA below 5.00. The organization also views its top prospect, Gage Wood, as a long-term solution rather than an immediate fix. Wood, the 2025 first-round pick, finished his first full season with a 4.36 ERA and 139 strikeouts over 95 innings. He has made only 26 professional starts and has never pitched at Triple-A.

Four free agents fit the desired profile. Ryan Yarbrough, 34, posted a 3.69 ERA over 63⅓ innings for the Yankees in 2026. He earned $2.5 million last year and could command a one-year deal between $3 million and $5 million. His 25 percent hard-hit rate was the lowest in the majors. Cal Quantrill returned to form with the Rangers, posting a 2.86 ERA over 110 innings. A lat strain ended his season, but his performance suggests a contract in the mid-to-high single-digit millions.

Erick Fedde threw 141 innings for the White Sox, splitting time between the rotation and bullpen with ERAs of 3.86 and 3.80, respectively. He earned $1.5 million last season, with a new contract likely between $4 million and $7 million. Drew Anderson, who last played for the Tigers, posted a 3.67 ERA over 108 innings. Detroit holds a $10 million club option on him for 2027. If they decline, Anderson’s versatility would likely place his value near that option price.

The Phillies also face needs in the offense, bullpen, and infield this winter. A flexible pitcher would provide manager Don Mattingly with a multi-inning option when the rotation is healthy and a traditional starter when it is not. The team aims to secure this depth before another injury forces them back into the mid-season market.