Which of MLB’s best pitchers would be in the Phillies’ dream bullpen?
Imagine a world in which there is no MLB luxury tax and the Philadelphia Phillies have a bumper crop of prospects in their farm system.
That’s the world we’re living in right now, as we build the Phillies’ dream bullpen. No limits on spending, no shortage of trade pieces, no free agent too expensive, and no lockout to prevent them from building said bullpen.
The reasons for this exercise are obvious: the 2021 Phillies’ bullpen was a disaster day after day. Their 34 blown saves tied MLB’s all-time record, set by the 2004 Colorado Rockies, and the Phils led MLB in blown saves right down to the wire, when the Washington Nationals decided to step up and set a new single-season record of 35.
The rules for this team-building exercise are that there are no rules; no limits on how many middle relievers, set-up men, or closers the Phillies can have. It’s quality and quantity, because this team needs as much help as they can get…
Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers
As one of the game’s top bullpen arms over the last few years, Josh Hader easily makes this list. Over five big-league seasons, he has an impressive 2.26 ERA, 96 saves, and a whopping 482 strikeouts over 282 1/3 innings. He’s already been an All-Star three times and won three Reliever of the Year awards.
As part of the Brewers’ fearsome pen this year, Hader posted a career-best 1.23 ERA over 60 appearances, closing 42 games and earning 34 saves. He struck out 102 batters in just 58 2/3 innings, and only allowed eight earned runs all season.
Kenley Jansen, Free agent (formerly Los Angeles Dodgers)
As the Dodgers closer for more than a decade, Kenley Jansen played a major part in their postseason success. While the Dodgers won eight consecutive division titles between 2013-2020, a Wild Card berth in 2021, three pennants between 2017-2020, and the 2020 World Series, Jansen accumulated a 2.13 ERA over 63 1/3 postseason innings, and 19 saves in 23 opportunities.
Over 12 regular seasons, Jansen has a career 2.37 ERA over 701 games. He’s coming off his best season in years; 69 games, a 2.22 ERA, and 38 saves.
Bonus: Jansen is a free agent, so he could be part of the Phillies’ real-life future as well as this dream team.
Aaron Loup, Los Angeles Angels
A former Phillie and one the team was hoping to bring back, Aaron Loup was excellent in 2021. The 33-year-old posted an astonishing 0.95 ERA over 65 games, including two starts and six closer appearances.
Loup pitched for the Phillies in the second half of the 2018 season, but only appeared in nine games for the club. He signed a two-year deal with the Angels, ending any hopes of a reunion in Philadelphia.
Liam Hendriks, Chicago White Sox
After a turbulent start to his career, the Chicago White Sox ace and two-time AL Reliever of the Year has been absolutely fearsome over his last three seasons. Since 2019, Liam Hendriks has a 2.08 ERA over 168 games, including 119 games finished. He’s earned 77 saves and struck out 274 batters in 181 1/3 innings.
This season, the 32-year-old righty led the league with 38 saves and was an All-Star for the second time. If only he wasn’t under contract for the next couple years…
Raisel Iglesias, Los Angeles Angels
For a brief, shining moment, it looked like Raisel Iglesias was going to be available this offseason.
Instead, he re-signed with the Angels for four years and $58M. Good on the Angels for recognizing what they have in Iglesias, who led the American League in games finished with a career-high 59 closes, and tied his personal best of 34 saves. Over 70 innings across 65 games, Iglesias posted a 2.57 ERA and struck out 103 batters.