Since they have yet to replace Ranger Suarez and their ace, Zack Wheeler, will begin the season on the injured list, the Philadelphia Phillies are in dire need of some replacements for their starting pitchers. Additionally, acquiring a seasoned pitcher from free agency looks like a smart move because the only players available as replacements are Taijuan Walker and Andrew Painter.
Zachary Rotman of Fansided agrees, speculating that the Phillies would be a dark horse to sign seasoned starting pitcher Zack Littell. Littell can be a reliable backup pitcher when Wheeler returns and adds depth to a rotation that is in dire need of it.
However, the same is true of the Philadelphia Phillies. They are shorthanded in their rotation because Ranger Suarez left in free agency and Zack Wheeler is anticipated to start the season on the injured list. Although none of those things are certain, they hope that top prospect Andrew Painter is MLB-ready and that Taijuan Walker can provide them with enough innings. Because he may be vulnerable to the long ball, Littell isn’t the best fit in a hitter-friendly ballpark like Philadelphia, but beggars can’t be choosers at this time of year. Littell can offer the Phillies the depth they need at a high level, according to Rotman.
Littell had a 10-8 record, a 3.81 ERA, 130 Ks, and a 1.104 WHIP across 186 innings worked during the previous season. All things considered, those are some excellent numbers for a depth starter, and they are most likely superior to what Walker or Painter can do.
Although Littell is expected to get a three-year, $39 million contract, the Phillies could likely get him on a rental since Spring Training has just started and his market hasn’t heated up at all.
The Phillies are a dark horse for a reason, so hopefully they can work on this. Littell could be taken out from under them by a more desperate team.
