The Philadelphia Phillies spent about $300 million this summer to shore up their starting rotation for the future, signing Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler to nine-figure contracts.
However, the pitching staff enters 2024 with some questions around Taijuan Walker, who inked a $72 million contract with the Phillies in 2022 but is now expected to begin the season on the injured list. According to USA Today’s MLB insider Bob Nightengale, this development has prompted the team to contemplate opening up the payroll for a high-profile addition. The Philadelphia Phillies spent about $300 million this summer to shore up their starting rotation for the future, signing Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler to nine-figure contracts.
“The Philadelphia Phillies are at least internally discussing the possibility of pursuing free agent starter Jordan Montgomery but no decision has been made on whether they plan to contact agent Scott Boras,” Nightengale said in a statement. “There’s a renewed sense of urgency with Taijuan Walker opening the season on the injured list with a sore shoulder.”
Montgomery, who helped lead the Texas Rangers to a World Series triumph with a 2.79 ERA in 11 regular-season starts last season, has been at the top of many free-agent lists. However, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Montgomery is looking for a deal similar to Nola’s — in the $172 million area — which could explain why he is still a free agent so close to Opening Day.
The Phillies are consistently among the top spenders in MLB, and recent huge deals for Bryce Harper and Trea Turner demonstrate that the front management is not afraid to spend. As a result, it’s difficult to rule them out of any additions that could boost their World Series chances.
