The Planning for 2023 Begins

The improbable playoff run has ended and the roster moves have begun.

The biggest news of the day is the Phillies declining the option on second baseman Jean Segura's contract, saving the team $17 million. Speaking of options, Aaron Nola's option was picked up, and Zach Eflin has declined a $15 million option and becomes a free agent. Seems as if Mr. Creaky Knees wants to be a starting pitcher again. Good luck with that.

A bunch of pitchers have also opted for free agency, including David Robertson, Corey Knebel, Brad Hand, Noah Syndergaard, and Kyle Gibson.

The Segura move means the Phillies are now in the market for a shortstop, since there are some really good ones available. Bryson Stott will move to second and the Phils will pursue from a group including Trea Turner, Xander Boegarts, Dansby Swanson, Carlos Correa.

I want Turner. He and Bryce Harper are friends from their time with the Nationals and Turner's wife is from New Jersey and reportedly would prefer to head back east. Turner is the perfect leadoff hitter. 

The Phils have approximately $75 million coming off the books, which leaves plenty of money to chase Turner and another starting pitcher. 

One last thing I want to see this off-season–the departure of Rhys Hoskins. He's too streaky, strikes out way too much, and is a defensive liability. Trade him to some power-starved team and let either Alec Bohm or Darrick Hall play first. 

Remember This Name - Masataka Yoshida

Masataka Yoshida wants to be a Phillie. Who, you're probably wondering, is he? 

Yoshida is a star outfielder for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan. Is he any good? Uh, yeah.

The 29-year-old has played seven seasons in Japan with a career slash line of .326/.419/.528. He obviously makes contact and has never struck out more than 74 times in a season. It's usually in the 40s. He's got some power, averaging around 19 HR a year.

Did I mention he wants to be a Phillie? He loves Bryce Harper. He even named his dog after Harper. And he'd be a perfect fit at CBP. There's a ton of money coming off the books after the World Series. The departure of Didi Gregorius and probable departures of Brad Hand, Kyle Gibson, and Corey Knebel frees up $38 million in salary.

But the Phillies already have plenty of outfielders, right? Hear me out. Rhys Hoskins will probably be due for a big raise (he makes $7.7 million this year), but he's just a hair above league average, way too streaky, and a defensive adventure. Move Kyle Schwarber to first and put Yoshida in left. 

Moving Hoskins brings the amount of shedded salary to $45 million. Jean Segura ($15 million) is a bit pricey and he's had a nice run, but wouldn't you rather see the Phillies sign Trea Turner to play short and move Bryson Stott to second? Turner is a huge upgrade over Segura. So with roughly $60 million to play with, the Phillies can easily sign Yoshida and Turner. 

As for pitching, Wheeler, Nola, and Suarez are a nice top three. Maybe see if Syndergaard would come to camp to win a job and then the other spot goes to one of the wonder arms in Triple A–Andrew Painter, Mick Abel, or Griff McGarry. 

Adding Yoshida and Turner greatly improves the team. So does getting rid of Gibson. I know we're in the middle of the World Series, but it's never too early to start planning.