That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies: An early projection of the 2018 major-league roster

By John Town

SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 13: Bob McClure #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies makes a pitching change during the seventh inning of the Spring Training Game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 13, 2017 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. Baltimore defeated Philadelphia 6-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 13: Bob McClure #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies makes a pitching change during the seventh inning of the Spring Training Game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 13, 2017 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. Baltimore defeated Philadelphia 6-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 23: Luis Garcia #57 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the ninth inning during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on July 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Bullpen

  1. Hector Neris (Closer)
  2. Luis Garcia
  3. Adam Morgan
  4. Pat Neshek
  5. Tommy Hunter
  6. Mark Leiter
  7. Hoby Milner
  8. Edubray Ramos

New manager Gabe Kapler and GM Matt Klentak have both expressed interest in carrying an eight-man bullpen, following the recent trend of building deeper bullpens and holding a shorter leash of the rotation. In fairness, with how the rotation stands now, the team will likely need a deeper bullpen.

The core of the bullpen should be quite strong. Neris, Garcia, and Morgan all had strong second halves last year. Klentak signed Neshek and Hunter to bolster the back end, and both of them should do that after career years in 2017.

Leiter served as the team’s swing man and long reliever last year well and should return to that role. Milner gives the team another lefty in relief for days when Morgan can’t pitch. Ramos had a rough start to the 2017 season but found himself after a demotion to Triple-A. The Phillies can certainly do worse for an eighth reliever.

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