Just one day after the Atlanta Braves, their divisional rivals, dismissed outfielder Jordan Luplow, the Phillies and FanSided finalized a minor league agreement on Thursday.
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Over the course of seven seasons, Luplow, an outfielder who can play all three positions in addition to first base, has seen action in the Major Leagues.
The native of California has a career slashline of.212/.314/.423, but in 39 games split between the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins in 2023, he managed to put up a.208/.322/.325 line with two home runs.
With the caliber of players on their roster, it is unlikely that this signing will have a significant impact for Philadelphia. But Luplow’s veteran presence and versatility on the field might be advantageous to the Phillies’ depth.
Particularly when they search for alternatives to bolster their bench or have a backup in AAA in case of an injury.
As to the report, the Braves released him to allow him to look for a better opportunity elsewhere.
Beyond the alternatives suggested above, Philadelphia’s team is rather established, so it’s unclear why he decided to join with them. At this stage of his career, maybe the opportunity to play with and assist Philadelphia—a team known for its elite clubhouse—is everything he’s been waiting for.
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5 biggest National League threats to Phillies’ chances of reaching the World Series
Big moves were made in the National League this offseason, making the Phillies’ road back to the World Series bumpy. Which NL teams will be the biggest hurdles for the Phillies to overcome this season?
With a lineup that makes them a contender in the World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies had high expectations following two consecutive NLCS visits and a World Series trip just two years prior.
With an improved roster, Philadelphia should make a strong comeback this season, but there will be fierce opposition because several National League clubs made off-season improvements.
Compared to other NL teams, the Phillies’ offseason has been rather quiet thus far. The team desperately needs two excellent starting pitchers, so re-signing Aaron Nola and extending Zack Wheeler were the two largest moves. On a one-year contract, they also recruited experienced utility player Whit Merrifield.
Conversely, the Phillies lost slugger Rhys Hoskins and passed on a number of notable players this offseason, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Cody Bellinger, who all signed with rival National League teams.
The strength of other dominant NL teams’ roster additions will make it more difficult for the Phillies to win the World Series this year.
While it’s evident who the big dogs are, a few sleepers have a chance to challenge for a postseason berth. Although the San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee Brewers are both expected to finish in the middle of the pack this season, their rosters still need to be carefully considered.
The Brewers have a roster that can finish first in the NL Central, so it’s up for grabs. The Giants will be aiming for a wild card since they are in a more difficult division.
Although the San Diego Padres are predicted to finish fourth in the NL West, their highly skilled roster has the potential to shock everyone.
With all of their recent success, the Phillies seem to be in excellent shape, but we must remember that other teams are vying for the Wild Card. Let’s examine the National League players that the Phillies should be most cautious about this season.
