Philadelphia Phillies DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

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.

Newly signed right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson said that he doesn't expect to fill in for closing duties in 2024, but he will if necessary. Meanwhile, general manager Perry Minasian noted that right-hander Carlos Estevez is the closer on paper, but the final decision will be made by manager Ron Washington. Estevez made his first All-Star team in 2023 with the Halos and had a career-high 31 saves in 62 1/3 relief innings, but he had an ERA approaching 4.00 and had a 6.59 ERA in the second half. The 31-year-old will probably open the 2024 regular season as the Halos' primary ninth-inning arm, but Washington could have him on a short leash early on, especially if his struggles from the second half of last year resurface. And on another Angels team that probably won't be a contender, Estevez will have shaky fantasy value at the closer position.