I was one of those fans surprised (yet not surprised) with the Evan Phillips signing. I can squint and see it working out, but it was probably one year and/or $2 MM AAV too much. With one reliever signed, the focus shifts to whether or not Raisel Iglesias returns. There is probably a number there that would make me comfortable with that. But another thought brings me to two pitchers that are recovering from injuries. Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach could serve anywhere from starters to swingmen
to multiple inning guys to high leverage. That is, assuming they can pitch at all in 2027.
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Alex Anthopoulos has already told us that he’s not counting on either to start the year in the rotation. But there is a lot of room between being a starter out of Spring Training and pitching at all. Spencer Strider has a career 3.45/2.83/2.72 in the first time through the order. That will definitely play and will play up in a one to two inning outing. Schwellenbach’s numbers are a juicy 2.04/2.79/2.91, which honestly sounds like a lot of fun in high leverage. Of course, if these guys can’t start, the rotation options after Chris Sale are young Didier Fuentes, the Grant Holmes Experience, Bryce Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver, Joey Wentz, JR Ritchie, and Owen Murphy. This is assuming Tyler Mahle doesn’t return.
So how many relief innings will the Braves get from Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach? Will the Braves put them in a position to pitch fewer than three innings at a time? Will injury force their hand? See, this is why I wasn’t super excited for the offseason this year. Too many questions and too much time.
