Breathtaking News: The Phillies have signed two Outstanding Non-tendered Players

With the recent non-tendered player announcements throughout the MLB, a few more players have become available for teams to pursue in free agency. In the case of the Philadelphia Phillies, the majority of the newly acquired names are unlikely to make a difference.

Still, there are two obvious, fascinating signing candidates: former Milwaukee Brewers co-ace Brandon Woodruff and former Toronto Blue Jays reliever Adam Cimber.

Brandon Woodruff

It’s not every day that an ace-caliber pitcher goes unsigned and enters free agency. But that is exactly what occurred to the Brewers’ star starter, Brandon Woodruff. Woodruff recently had shoulder surgery, which will keep him out for the majority, if not all, of the 2024 MLB season. According to rumors, despite the Brewers offered Woodruff a potential two-year contract, he promptly turned it down.

Woodruff, no doubt, has been one of the top pitchers in the game for the past few seasons, forming a strong dynamic duo with Corbin Burnes in leading the Brewers to their recent success. Over his seven-year MLB career, he has posted a stellar 46-26 winning record with a 3.10 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, along with 788 strikeouts in just 680 1/3 innings pitched.

Based on his great track record, he would fit right in with the Phillies’ starting rotation. Perhaps he could even take over as the ace of the Phillies’ pitching staff. The crucial point is that the Phillies must be patient since he may not return until 2025. However, whenever he returns, the three-headed monster of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Woodruff will be able to compete with any club in the league.

Adam Cimber

Adam Cimber had a dismal season with the Blue Jays, hampered by inconsistency and injuries all season. As a result, he had the worst year of his career, going 0-2 with a 7.40 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, allowing 17 earned runs, including six home runs, in only 20 2/3 innings of work.

Based on his previous track record, the 2023 season appears to be more of an anomaly than a regression for Cimber, as he had been one of the more reliable relievers in the game since making his major league debut in 2018. With a career 3.49 ERA and 1.21 WHIP, he will want to show everyone once again in 2024 that he can be the effective reliever everyone expects of him.

He’d be a good fit for the Phillies, who already have a lot of heavy flamethrowers in their relief corps. Cimber’s slower, funky-angle delivery would be a great complimentary contrast in their bullpen to confuse opposing batters. The Phillies’ bullpen might become an unstoppable force if they work together.

Of course, adding these two pitchers does not guarantee the Phillies a World Series win, but it does make them stronger competitors in the near future.