By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 
While there has been some sentiment expressed from both Philadelphia Phillies fans and manager Pete Mackanin about adding veteran bats to the team for 2017, it appears that the club is less than likely to add anyone of significance this off-season.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies, who aren't short on available funds, may not sit free-agency out, but they aren't likely to make any big splashes in free-agency:
"The Phils have the lowest financial commitments of any team for 2017. But they are again more likely to look for players on short-term deals than long. The reason? They don't want to block any of their top prospects. Consider last off-season, when they could have easily had Howie Kendrick. GM Matt Klentak knew Kendrick from their days together with the Angels and liked him a lot. But, if the Phillies had signed Kendrick they never would have found out about Cesar Hernandez, who has emerged as their leadoff man and second baseman."
The Phillies signing veteran players to play the middle infield positions or the outfield would block younger players from getting chances to play. The team has Cesar Hernandez, Freddy Galvis and eventually J.P. Crawford up the middle. There's probably not even room to keep Andres Blanco. In the outfield, the club already has Odubel Herrera, Aaron Altherr, Tyler Goeddel and Roman Quinn, with Nick Williams and Dylan Cozens both likely to join the team within the next couple of seasons.
Matt Klentak may very well bring in a veteran to platoon with Tommy Joseph at first, and a veteran catching addition seems likely, but making long-term commitments before giving some of the team's top prospects or young major league talents extended chances to play regularly doesn't make much sense.
Certainly, bringing in veterans to take pressure off the aforementioned Herrera and Maikel Franco, while also serving as mentors on a young team, shouldn't be entirely taken off the table. But the Phillies can do that without forcing a long-term signing in a weaker free-agent class this off-season.
The Phillies are not only unlikely to aggressively pursue veteran free-agents this off-season, but also the following one. This will allow, as Rosenthal noted, the team to figure out what it has internally. It will also allow them to remain flexible for the post-2018 free-agent class, which could feature Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Clayton Kershaw, Dallas Keuchel, Adam Jones, Josh Donaldson and more.
Seeing Klentak wear that throwback warm-up jacket has me thinking... it might be time the Phils change-up their uniforms!
With the presumptive exit of Ryan Howard, with the 2016 season's end, the last link to the 2007-11 teams has been severed... the Phils have worn their uniforms (with minor tweaks) since the 1992 season... they've had a good run, but it kind a feels like it's time for a change, beyond the on-field personnel.
Perhaps the new uniforms could draw influence from the '70s & '80s unfiorms, much as the existing ones draw from '50s & '60s era... just sayin'.
Posted by: Ed D | October 03, 2016 at 12:22 PM
I think Bryce Harper and Manny Machado sign new contracts with their existing teams before they hit free agency. After then its a good class of free agents still. what is your take?
Posted by: dave | October 03, 2016 at 04:22 PM
I hope they keep A.J. Ellis for another year. A veteran bat who plays every day in a corner OF spot but could also play third would be ideal. Ian Desmond or Martin Prado would be ideal, and worth over paying if they could sign either for no longer than two years.
Posted by: joe goldberg | October 03, 2016 at 06:30 PM
It's time to bring up all the youngsters the only 2 starters from this year that should start next year is Franco and Hernandez. But can the Phil's put Herrera at second base??? He was a SS his entire career
Posted by: Al | October 04, 2016 at 01:40 AM