Breaking:Top Experienced Fans Favourite Phillies Starter With 2.65 ERA Just Terminated his Contract to Join the Yankees.

Starting pitching is considered the most crucial component in Major League Baseball (MLB), so it’s surprising that right-handed pitcher Spencer Turnbull, who played for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024, remains a free agent. Despite not having an outstanding performance with the Phillies, his overall contribution was solid enough to secure another opportunity in the league. In just 17 games, including seven starts, Turnbull posted a respectable 2.65 ERA. While he’s typically been a starter throughout his career, the Phillies shifted him to a bullpen role, which might be affecting his marketability.

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report noted that Turnbull’s availability is unexpected, suggesting the New York Yankees could be a potential landing spot. Over the past six years (2018-24), Turnbull’s 3.83 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) ranks 65th among 212 pitchers who threw over 350 innings, which places him slightly ahead of pitchers like Jack Flaherty and slightly behind Nathan Eovaldi. He had strong performances as a swingman in 2024, making 17 appearances (seven starts) with good stats before a lat injury ended his season prematurely in late June.

However, Turnbull’s injury history has played a role in his current status. He missed nearly all of 2021 and 2022 due to Tommy John surgery and was sidelined for much of 2023 due to a neck injury. Since 2021, he has only managed 135.1 innings. These injuries explain why Turnbull has struggled to secure a multi-year guaranteed contract, but it doesn’t clarify why a 32-year-old pitcher who threw a no-hitter in May 2021 is still available. Miller questioned why Turnbull hasn’t landed a one-year deal, particularly given that pitchers with lesser resumes, like Elvin Rodriguez and Carlos Carrasco, have found starting roles with teams like the Milwaukee Brewers and the Yankees.

In summary, while Turnbull’s injury history is a factor, his recent performance and overall potential make it puzzling that he remains without a contract, especially as a team like the Yankees could benefit from adding him to their roster.