Last night, the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the New York
Mets 7-3, fueled by home runs via Odubel Herrera (his now career-high 16th)
and Maikel Franco (12th).
But perhaps more importantly, 22-year-old Enyel De Los
Santos was called up from AAA Lehigh Valley to spot start. Let’s say that he
was good. Posing 6 1/3 innings, giving up 3 runs (2 in the 7th), and
struck out 6. I’m pretty sure he just ran out of gas in the 7th
inning after going strong on high adrenaline in his first Major League start.
Which raises the point, why did GM Matt Klentak send him
down after the game? It’s not like the back end of the rotation (minus Zach
Eflin) is all that spectacular. You could probably spare one of them.
Vince Velasquez comes back from the 10 day DL tonight to
start, and he has not been that spectacular in his 17 starts this season. Sure,
he has his good games, but his control is often lacking. The same could be said
for Nick Pivetta, whose WHIP this season is 1.35. The two have combined for a total
WAR of 2.2, with Velasquez possessing a mere 0.9. I’d say that you can improve
on that.
De Los Santos has been tearing it up this season in the
minors, with splits that include a 9-3 record, 1.89 ERA, 95 1/3 IP, 87 K, and a
1.08 WHIP.
If you ask me, I don’t think he has anything left to prove
in the minors (Plus, the San Diego Padres must have really liked Freddy Galvis to trade De Los Santos). There’s long
been discussion about moving Velasquez to the bullpen, where I’m sure he would
be an improvement over Adam Morgan (Austin Davis is still there, and he hasn’t been
too bad as the Lefty).
At 51-39 and in first place in the NL East, this is the time
to make improvements to your roster. The Phillies should be able to add both
from within the system and from outside. If you can add a pitcher from within
and give up very little for it (or nothing), why not? I am sure Klentak does
not want to give up a king’s ransom for Brad Hand or Zac Britton, it will still
cost a mid-level prospect or more for players like the Marlins’s Kyle
Barraclough and the Padres’s Kirby Yates, who each have been listed as
potential trade targets and have a couple years of team control left.
Be Bold, Matt Klentak. Whether that is going all-in for
Machado, making a bold statement by moving Vinny to the bullpen, or otherwise,
this is the time. Ask yourself: do you think this team is one piece away from
being a serious contender? If it is not, I would be wary of giving up too much.
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