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Phillies: 10 veteran relievers to target in free agency

By George Stockburger

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 22: Adam Ottavino #0 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning of an MLB game at Chase Field on September 22, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 22: Adam Ottavino #0 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning of an MLB game at Chase Field on September 22, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 08: Cody Allen #37 of the Cleveland Indians pitches in the seventh inning against the Houston Astros during Game Three of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field on October 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 08: Cody Allen #37 of the Cleveland Indians pitches in the seventh inning against the Houston Astros during Game Three of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field on October 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Cody Allen

A year ago if I said Cody Allen was available on the open market he would be one of the best options out there. After five consecutive years with an ERA under 3.00 over 68 innings, Allen had a 4.70 ERA in 70 games for the Indians.

Velocity wasn’t the issue for Allen with his average fastball coming in at just .4 MPH slower in 2018 compared to 2017, according to Statcast. Cleveland.com also notes that Allen’s average velocity was exactly the same in his season debut then it was in his final game in 2018 at 93.9 MPH.

Allen did throw his curveball more and his fastball less, according to FanGraphs, so that might be something to watch.

Allen might be a solid one-year “prove it” option for the Phillies if they want a bon a fide veteran with playoff experience in the back-end of their bullpen.

Kelvin Herrera

The Phillies would have loved to trade for Kelvin Herrera when the Royals and Nationals were dangling him last season.

An All-Star for the Royals who helped lead them to a championship, Herrera was having a fantastic season for the Royals before they traded him to Washington in June. After posting a 1.05 ERA in 27 games for the Royals Herrera struggled in Washington with a 4.34 ERA in 21 games.

Herrera’s SO/IP was at its lowest since 2014 at 7.7, dramatically lower than when he had a 10.8 SO/IP in 2016.

After suffering a torn Lisfranc ligament in his left foot in September Herrera is expected to be ready for spring training.

This might be another “prove it” deal the Phillies could make for one year with a lucrative club option for 2020. Herrera was once among the best late-inning relievers in baseball, but he’s been injured and struggled too much to get a long-term deal.

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