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

By Gabrielle Starr

Sep 29, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi talks with relief pitcher Hector Neris (50) as he removes Neris from the mound during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi talks with relief pitcher Hector Neris (50) as he removes Neris from the mound during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phillies Craig Kimbrel White Sox
Craig Kimbrel (46) Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Craig Kimbrel

The Chicago White Sox picked up Craig Kimbrel’s 2022 option, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be back on the south side next season. He’s been on the Phillies’ minds for a while now, and with his past with Dombrowski, many thought Kimbrel would end up in Philly at the trade deadline this season.

Instead, the Chicago Cubs simply sent Kimbrel across town to the White Sox, who promptly put baby in a corner. His 0.49 ERA over 39 games before the trade ballooned to 5.09 over 24 games with his new team. It’s really not hard to see why: the White Sox acquired a closer and then didn’t use him as a closer because they actually needed a set-up man and decided to put a square peg in a round hole, fit be damned.

The White Sox already had a dominant closer in Liam Hendriks, who closed 58 of his 69 games and led the American League with a career-best 38 saves, so Kimbrel only closed eight games for the Sox compared to his 35 for the Cubs. In his career, he has a 2.01 ERA over 546 ninth-inning appearances; he has a 3.21 ERA over 65 eighth-inning spots.

Playing to a player’s strengths is essential to individual and collective success. The Phillies need a closer, and Kimbrel is one. Sounds like a match.

3. Raisel Iglesias

Dombrowski did make a general statement earlier this month that he’d prefer not to give up a draft pick, but Raisel Iglesias is absolutely worth forfeiting a second-round pick if the Phillies can entice him away from his qualifying offer with the Angels.

For the second full 162-game season in a row, Iglesias led the American League in games finished, with a career-high 59; he also matched his career-high 34 saves. He posted a 2.57 ERA over 65 appearances and struck out 103 batters over 70 innings.

In terms of contract and pick forfeit, Iglesias won’t come cheap, but he’s worth it.

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