When Philadelphia Phillies president Andy MacPhail talked about a desire to “grow the arms and buy the bats,” he wasn’t kidding.
Twice in the past week, the Phillies have been reported as being seen as the favorite for a free-agent pitcher (and perhaps nearing a deal), only for the pitcher to go elsewhere. Patrick Corbin, the prize pitching free-agent of the offseason, ultimately chose to sign with the division-rival Washington Nationals, who were willing to guarantee him six years, over the Phillies, who weren’t. At the time of publication of this piece, J.A. Happ is still a free-agent, though multiple reports have suggested that he’s nearing a three-year contract that will allow him to return to the New York Yankees.