Phillies Taijuan Walker Decision Highlights Major Dave Dombrowski Roster Flaw

Phillies Unveil Long-Term Plan With Walker

The free agency signing of Taijuan Walker by the Philadelphia Phillies is an important move for the club, but it may also highlight a problem with the team's roster construction.

By signing Walker to a four-year contract, the Phillies are hoping to solidify their starting rotation and make a run at the World Series. Walker is a solid pitcher, but he is not an ace. Consequently, the Phillies will still need to add another top-of-the-rotation starter to compete for a championship.

Phillies Have Not Addressed Starting Pitching

The Phillies have not made any significant additions to their starting rotation since they acquired Zack Wheeler in 2019. While Wheeler is a good pitcher, he is not enough to carry a team by himself. The Phillies need to add another pitcher who can give them a legitimate chance of winning a World Series.

There are a number of free agent pitchers available who could help the Phillies, including Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander, and Carlos Rodón. The Phillies have also been linked to several trade targets, such as Corbin Burnes and Shane McClanahan. However, the Phillies have a higher salary than all three of them. Also, it is very unlikely that either the Milwaukee Brewers or Tampa Bay Rays would trade their aces.

Phillies Roster Flaw

The Phillies' failure to address their starting pitching problem is a major flaw in their roster construction. The team has a lot of talent, but they will be hard-pressed to win a World Series without a more reliable starting rotation.

The Phillies are a good team, but they are not a great team. They still have some holes in their roster, especially in their starting rotation. If the Phillies want to compete for a World Series, they need to add another top-of-the-rotation starter.

Conclusion

The Phillies' signing of Taijuan Walker is a good move, but it does not address the team's biggest problem. The Phillies still need to add another top-of-the-rotation starter if they want to compete for a World Series.