Let’s imagine a scenario.
In this scenario, the Phillies do not acquire another starting pitcher the rest of this offseason. They choose to either hold on to their minor league assets, not deeming the players being mentioned as trade bait this offseason as good enough to acquire or the asking price to be out of their comfort zone. Let’s also imagine in this scenario that they feel good about having to have surrendered their second-round draft pick already, as well as the $500k in the international market, and no longer wish to part with other compensation to sign a free agent pitcher.