With Happ off the table, Phillies continue their search to bolster the starting rotation

Reports surfaced early Wednesday morning that the Yankees and starting pitcher J.A. Happ are near an agreement on a three-year deal that will keep the hurler in the Bronx.

Happ, 36, was a potential target for the Phillies who are looking to add a left-handed pitcher to the starting rotation.

An All-Star last season, Happ finished the year 17-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 31 starts for Toronto and New York, with 193 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings.

The Phillies are still linked to free agent left-hander and 2015 Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel and also have the pieces on hand to potentially work out a trade to bolster the rotation. Multiple sources have connected the Phillies to the Indians who are looking at possibly moving Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer. Either hurler would slot in nicely behind ace Aaron Nola.
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BY PATRICK GORDON
Managing Editor
pgordon@philadelphiabaseballreview.com