According to Bryce Harper's agent, Scott Boras, the Phillies' superstar player is looking for a…
The Phillies Bullpen: Better but still not great
It really can’t get any worse than last year for the Phillies’ bullpen. The Phillies began the 2020 season with a bullpen that consisted of Hector Neris, Adam Morgan, Jose Alvarez, Deolis Geurra, Tommy Hunter, Cole Irvin, Trevor Kelley, Reggie McClain, Ramon Rosso, Austin Davis, and Nick Pivetta. In hindsight, we should have been better prepared for late inning drama just by looking at the arms listed on paper to start the season.
This offseason, the main focus for Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies outside of re-signing JT Realmuto and Didi Gregorius, has been the rebuilding of their historically bad bullpen. The Phillies made a great move by signing the incredibly reliable Archie Bradley. They also traded for Jose Alvarado who you hope can bounce back this year after a rough going last year. In 2018, Alvarado finished with a 2.39 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 80 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched. He also had 8 saves. When Jose Alvarado is healthy and focused, he’s dominant and throws hard.
Connor Brogdon pitched well late last season and JoJo Romero showed signs of potential. Ranger Suarez and David Hale would fall in the “promising” category as well and we’ve all taken rides on the Hector Neris rollercoaster and should know that he’s everything but reliable as a closer.
The Phillies continue to add low-risk, high-reward options to their potential bullpen for the 2021 season. Brandon Kintzler is coming off his two best seasons of his career. He converted 13 of his 17 save chances while posting a 2.55 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 81.1 innings across 86 relief appearances for the Cubs and most recently, the Miami Marlins. He was an all-star in 2017 and led Marlins with 12 saves last year.
If Kintzler makes the big league roster and the Phillies finalize their reported deal with utility man Brad Miller, it’s safe to say that any other big-name free agent relievers are most likely off the table since the ball club will want to leave the little space they have left under the luxury tax threshold flexible.
Here’s where we currently stand in terms of bullpen arms as we inch closer to Spring Training:
The Locks:
- Archie Bradley
- Hector Neris
- Jose Alvarado
- Connor Brogdon
- Brandon Kintzler
The Hopefuls:
- Jojo Romero
- Hector Rondon
- Sam Coonrod
- Ranger Suarez
Outside Looking In:
- David Hale
- Ramon Rosso
The Phillies will likely carry a total of eight bullpen arms into Opening Day. Listed above, we currently have 11 bullpen arms competing for a spot. On top of that, another thing to consider when looking at the projected bullpen is the fact that the Phillies have a ton of competition for the four and five spots in their starting rotation. The Phillies have Vince Velasquez, Matt Moore, Spencer Howard, Chase Anderson, and Ivan Nova all competing for two starting rotation positions heading into Spring Training.
Even if the Phillies decide to use a six-man rotation, there are still two potential starting pitchers that will turn their attention to landing a bullpen spot to remain on the roster for the 2021 season. This entire scenario will certainly play itself out over Spring Training and will be interesting to watch unfold.
It’s safe to say the locks above and all of the hopefuls, outside of Ranger Suarez will most likely make the final eight or nine cut. The Phillies will most likely carry another one or two arms from whoever fails to secure a spot in the starting rotation. Giving you an Opening Day bullpen that resembles the following:
- Archie Bradley
- Hector Neris
- Jose Alvarado
- Connor Brogdon
- Brandon Kintzler
- JoJo Romero
- Sam Coonrod
- Hector Rondon
- One or Two Starting Rotation Pitchers
The Phillies improved bullpen this year will certainly help ease the pain of late-inning letdowns this season. It would however, be a stretch to say that they will be a huge improvement from last year. Right now, there’s too much uncertainty around the health of a few bullpen arms and who will make the Opening Day roster. The bullpen is definitely shaping up to be better than the 2020 roster but when your bullpen is coming off a historically bad season to begin with, the only place to go is up.
Stay tuned for Red October: A Phillies Podcast coming soon to The Liberty Line
Mandatory Credit: The Philadelphia Inquirer
Related Posts
This Post Has 0 Comments