5 Free-agent pitchers who could be the Phillies’ closer in 2022

Who will be the Philadelphia Phillies’ closer in 2022?

Unlike many teams who are playing their offseason to-do lists close to the vest, Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has made his intentions abundantly clear:

Sign at least one slugging outfielder and multiple bullpen arms, including a closer.

The Phillies have some players who can fill the outfield spots, but the bullpen and closer roles were glaring issues in 2021, with the club tying the all-time MLB record of 34 blown saves in one season, originally set by the 2004 Colorado Rockies. More than once, the Phillies bullpen actually blew multiple saves in the same game.

Understandably, Dombrowski didn’t mince words on the aspect of his team’s play that kept them out of contention more than almost any other issue:

“If I had to say one thing, I’d probably say I’d like to have somebody that can close a game for us, and count on it.”

So, here are five free agents with closing experience who could be the Phillies’ new end-game:

1. Hector Neris

Despite entering free agency, the longtime Phillies’ closer – and longest-tenured Phillie before he hit free agency this month – could absolutely return in 2022, just not in his previous role.

Dombrowski made it clear that the Phillies “prefer to bring [Neris] back,” but “as a non-ninth-inning guy.”

It makes sense after Neris‘ chaotic season, which included him setting a new franchise record for career strikeouts by a reliever while also having his ERA skyrocket from 1.54 in April and 2.38 in May, to 8.22 in June and 6.94 in July.

Ultimately, Neris fared better as a set-up man, posting a 1.65 ERA over 21 eighth-inning appearances, as opposed to his 5.20 ERA over 30 ninth-inning spots.

Apparently, Neris is “open to” returning in a different capacity. And of course, having multiple bullpen guys with closing experience is always better than the alternative, which was the Phillies’ reality in 2021, when Neris was struggling in the role.

4. Mark Melancon

Mark Melancon feels like an unlikely fit for the Phillies, who already signed too many veteran free agents last offseason. Melancon will be 37 in 2022, and has pitched for eight MLB teams in his 13-year career, including 2/5 of the NL East.

However, Melancon did lead the entirety of MLB with 39 saves this season, his most since 2016. He posted a 2.23 ERA over 64 games with the Padres, including 53 games finished. While Melancon’s hit and strikeout rates improved over his 2020 numbers, his home run and walk rates each took a hit this year,

5. Josh Hader

The Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly prepared to deal Josh Hader, who won’t become a free agent until 2024. He posted a career-best 1.23 ERA over 60 games, including 42 games finished and 34 saves.

Over the last two full seasons, the 27-year-old has finished 88 games and earned 71 saves. In the shortened 2020 season, he led the NL with 13 saves.

A sticking point with the three-time NL Reliever of the Year is that the reason the Brewers are considering parting ways is that he essentially declared he’d only pitch one inning per appearance. The results from this decision are dazzling, but it hurt the bullpen when fellow bullpen arm Devin Williams broke his hand at the end of the year.

Acquiring Hader would require a huge (and viable) prospect haul, something the Phillies really don’t have. So unless the Brewers are looking for quantity over quality, Hader feels out of their reach.