The Philadelphia Phillies have continued their low-key but impactful offseason, announcing the signing of veteran right-hander Joe Ross to a one-year contract on Monday. The move provides the reigning National League East champions with additional pitching depth as they gear up for a title defense in 2025.
Bolstering the Rotation
Ross, 31, spent the 2024 campaign with the Milwaukee Brewers, making 25 appearances including 10 starts. He posted a respectable 3.77 ERA across those outings while striking out 84 batters in 86 innings. The Phillies will look for Ross to compete for a spot at the back end of their rotation or serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen.
Originally a first-round pick of the San Diego Padres in 2011, Ross owns a career 4.19 ERA across seven big league seasons with the Washington Nationals and Brewers. His best year came in 2016 when he recorded a 3.43 ERA in 19 starts for Washington. While he may no longer be the potential frontline starter he once was, Ross still offers value as a versatile, experienced arm capable of filling a variety of roles.
Savvy, Cost-Effective Addition
In typical Phillies fashion, the Ross signing represents a savvy, cost-effective move to address a roster need. He’s unlikely to move the needle dramatically, but he can soak up important innings and provide injury insurance for a rotation that had its share of health issues in 2024.
“We’re excited to bring Joe into the fold,” Phillies general manager Sam Fuld said in a statement. “He’s a proven competitor who strengthens our staff and gives the coaching team another quality arm to deploy in a variety of ways.”
– Sam Fuld, Phillies GM
Fuld and the front office are betting on Ross bouncing back to his 2016-2018 form, when he was a reliable mid-rotation starter for the Nationals. Even if he doesn’t quite hit those heights again, he has the potential to outperform his modest one-year deal.
Quiet But Productive Winter
With spring training now just a month away, the Phillies have had another understated but productive offseason. In addition to Ross, they acquired rising left-hander Jesús Luzardo from the Marlins and signed outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million pact.
None of those moves will generate massive headlines, but they all serve to incrementally improve a roster that was already one of the National League’s best. The Phillies are banking on their star-studded core of Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Aaron Nola, and Zack Wheeler to once again carry them to October. Low-risk, moderate-upside additions like Ross are simply meant to lengthen the roster and raise the team’s overall floor.
The Road Ahead
As the Phillies welcome Ross and their other new additions to Clearwater in the coming weeks, all eyes will be on the National League East race. The Mets, Braves, and a rapidly improving Marlins team all loom as formidable challengers to the Phillies’ throne.
But this Phillies core knows a thing or two about staring down stiff competition. They’ll open camp as the defending division champs and one of the top contenders for the National League pennant. With a few savvy moves, a return to health for a few key stars, and a characteristic dose of grit, they’ll look to hold off the competition and reign supreme once more in 2025.
For Ross and the other newcomers, the goal is simple – find a way to contribute to a winning culture and push this talented group back to the promised land. If they can do that, moves that looked minor in December might loom very large come October.
