Philadelphia Phillies DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

The Philadelphia Phillies have claimed right-hander Max Castillo off of waivers from the Boston Red Sox. Outfielder Simon Muzziotti has been designated for assignment in order to clear a 40-man roster spot. Acquired by the Blue Jays from the Royals in a 2022 trade that sent Whit Merrifield to Toronto, Castillo has worked to a career 5.43 ERA and 8.9% K-BB% across 21 outings (six starts) and 59 2/3 innings between the Blue Jays and Royals. He was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox this winter but was designated for assignment by the club on Feb. 2. Muzziotti, 25, has just nine MLB plate appearances under his belt from 2022 and hit .296 with seven homers, 26 stolen bases, and a .762 OPS across 124 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2023, failing to reach the big leagues a season ago.

Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the team really wants to bring back right-hander Zack Wheeler as he heads into the final year of his five-year contract. "Well, we would love to sign Zack today if we could. I think it's important we re-sign him. I think he's one of the best pitchers in baseball...I know Wheels loves it in Philadelphia." The 33-year-old has been an ace for the Phillies in his time with the team and had another strong year in 2023 with a 13-6 record, 3.61 ERA (3.15 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 39 walks and 212 strikeouts in 192 innings over 32 starts in 2023. There's little evidence to suggest that Wheeler won't be a fantasy ace again in 2024 after reaching the 200-strikeout threshold in two of the last three seasons in Philly.

When asked if outfielder Johan Rojas would be a starter in 2024, Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said, "Likely, yes. Definitively, no... I think he can do enough offensively... and when you add his speed in there and his defense, he becomes a real plus." Rojas became the team's primary center fielder late last season after slashing an impressive .302/.342/.430 in his first 164 big-league games in 2023. The 23-year-old never spent time at Triple-A in the minors, though, and he struggled in the postseason. Dombrowski said late last year that Rojas would have to earn playing time in center field in 2024. Rojas is more of a contact/speed guy whose high average last year was propped up by a lofty .410 BABIP. Playing time isn't guaranteed, and Rojas' bat isn't all that special.

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired right-hander Michael Rucker from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Phillies designated right-hander Andrew Bellatti for assignment. Rucker had been designated for assignment by the Cubs before the trade. The 29-year-old made 35 appearances out of Chicago's bullpen in 2023 and posted a 4.91 ERA (4.84 FIP) and 1.44 WHIP with 19 walks and 40 strikeouts in a total of 40 1/3 innings pitched. In three seasons with the Cubbies, he's totaled a 4.96 ERA (4.57 FIP), a 1.39 WHIP, one save, 50 walks and 120 strikeouts in 96 total relief appearances (123 1/3 frames). Rucker will be competing for a middle-relief role with the Phillies this spring.

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays won his arbitration hearing against the team and is set to make $6.3 million in 2024. After posting a 112 wRC+ in 2023 with a .275 batting average, Hays' camp felt he should get more than the $5.85 million the team filed for. The 28-year-old played 144 games last year, integral to the team's AL East title. Alongside Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander, Hays helps the Orioles field a productive outfield. However, prospects Heston Kjerstad and Colton Cowser loom, potentially impacting his playing time later. Hays won't be an unrestricted free agent until 2026, and it will be intriguing to see how the team manages the outfield until then.