I’m of the philosophy of the Phillies buying their bats and drafting, developing your pitching through the minor leagues and always trying to get a pitching prospect in a deal. Throwing over $200 million into a starting pitcher with several seasons of wear-and-tear is a huge risk. One Tommy John surgery can destroy your bottom line for years to come.
Philadelphia is in a great sports town that can draw in free agents, although the record would say otherwise. The system is stocked with talented young prospects such as Mickey Moniak, JP Crawford, and Jorge Alfaro and the pitching has taken a big step forward in 2017 with the likes of Sixto Sanchez, Nick Pivetta, and Franklyn Kilome.