Jon Heyman of CBS Sports’ announced via tweet Saturday, that the Philadelphia Phillies have traded for Starting Pitcher Jeremy Hellickson from the Arizona Diamondbacks. In return the D-Backs will receive right-handed pitcher Sam McWilliams, a lower level minor leaguer. Jim Sailsbury of CSNPhilly.com was the first to speak about a deal in progress.
phillies send prospect to dbacks for jeremy hellickson. @JSalisburyCSN 1st
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) November 14, 2015
D-Backs Trade Hellickson to Philadelphia
Jeremy Hellickson, 28, is going into the final year of his contract and will make $6.6 million in 2016. Hellickson won the American League Rookie of the Year in 2011, and followed it up with a Gold Glove in 2012. Hellickson finished the 2015 season with a 9-12 record, and a 4.62 ERA. Hellickson gave up 22 home runs in 146 innings.
Daniel Sherriff of BaseballEssential.com reports that McWilliams was ranked number 27 in the Phillies’ top 30. McWilliams was drafted in 2014, spending his first two professional seasons in the bottom level of the Phillies’ system. He is billed as strong and physical who has a good fastball but needs help with secondary pitches. After a disappointing first pro season, McWilliams improved slightly in 2015. McWilliams posted a 3.27 ERA through 33 innings.
Phillies are working on trade to acquire RHP Jeremy Hellickson from Az, according to sources
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) November 14, 2015
Matt Snyder of CBSSports.com points out that the Phillies home field, Citizens Bank Park, was sixth in most homer run friendly stadiums. The Diamondback’s Chase Field, is ranked 24th, which will make his new home an interesting experiment considering Hellickson’s biggest flaw is his vulnerability to the long ball.
The Phillies finished last in the NL East with a 63-99 record. The Diamondbacks finished third in the NL West, at 79-83. The Diamondbacks reportedly did not believe paying Hellickson’s $6.6 million for the last year of his contract was not worth it, and although they are in need of pitching they did not believe Hellickson’s abilities were worth the money. Therefore it’s likely that the Phillies just had a greater need for pitching depth.
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