The Philadelphia Phillies seem comfortable with their starting rotation as spring training approaches, despite lingering questions surrounding Zack Wheeler. With pitchers and catchers set to report to Clearwater on Feb. 11, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has yet to bring in any outside help. Still, that doesn’t rule out the possibility of an addition before camp opens or even after workouts begin.
One potential name linked to Philadelphia is right hand pitching star. Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly recently identified the Phillies as a strong fit for the veteran right-hander as he looks to reestablish himself. Buehler could serve as valuable depth for a rotation that carries some uncertainty, particularly if things do not unfold as expected.
Buehler actually finished last season with Philadelphia after being released by the Boston Red Sox and was impressive in a brief stint, allowing just one run for a 0.66 ERA across 13.2 innings. His decision to join the Phillies late in the year was influenced in part by his shared Vanderbilt background with pitching coach Caleb Cotham. An extended opportunity to work with Cotham, even if it eventually leads to a bullpen role, could give Buehler a clearer path to reviving his career.
Coming off a rough season in Boston, Buehler is unlikely to secure a guaranteed rotation spot anywhere. He posted a 4.96 ERA in 26 appearances last year, including 24 starts, numbers that severely damaged his market value. While his strong finish in Philadelphia helped his case slightly, it came in a limited sample size.
From the Phillies’ perspective, the ideal scenario would be a low-risk deal. A minor league contract with a spring training invite or a modest major league deal around $2 million would protect the organization financially while offering Buehler a chance to build on the progress he showed at the end of the season.