PHILADELPHIA _ The Phillies will always be able to cling to the supersized image of Patrick Corbin wearing a red cap that shined last week on Phanavision. It was one of their top priorities to end this offseason with that image _ Corbin in a Phillies uniform _ becoming a reality. But in the end, it was just an image.
The Phillies whiffed on Corbin as the free-agent left-hander agreed Tuesday to join the Nationals, according to the Washington Post. Not only did the Phillies lose out on one of their top targets, but they lost him to a division rival. That's a tough loss.
But the search for another pitcher did not start and end with Corbin. The Phillies have plenty of time to add another arm to join Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta at the top of their rotation. They would prefer that pitcher to be left-handed and add balance to a right-handed-heavy rotation. But they will add a left-hander just to add a left-hander.
The Indians are listening to offers on right-hander Corey Kluber, who turns 33 in April but reached a career high in innings last season while logging his second straight sub-3.00 ERA. It can be assumed that the Phillies are checking in on the right-hander's price.
J.A. Happ could be had on a shorter-term deal than Corbin. The former Phillie made his first All-Star team last season and posted a 2.69 ERA after the Yankees acquired him at the trade deadline. The left-hander turned 36 in October, but his success relies more on command than overpowering batters, which should allow him to remain successful as he nears 40. He has logged at least 170 innings in three of the last four seasons.
Charlie Morton, who pitched briefly for the Phillies in 2016, is a free-agent that would likely receive an offer similar to Happ. He turns 36 next month and seems to have reinvented himself in two seasons with Houston.
