José Alvarado has begun serving an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The Philadelphia Phillies reliever's absence will create more of a need for the organization to obtain another high-leverage pitcher for their bullpen by the conclusion of the MLB trade deadline.
The Phillies look to be buyers at the trade deadline with a 29-18 record entering their May 20 contest versus the Colorado Rockies. Even with Jordan Romano pitching well after a bad start, Philly will keep an eye on the closers who will be available to be acquired this summer. After all, a contending club can never have enough options at any position during the playoffs.
Besides Romano, the team does not have another reliever with significant experience being used in the closer's role. Here are some relievers the Phillies should pursue following Alvarado's suspension.
3 relievers the Phillies should pursue following José Alvarado's PED suspension
Pete Fairbanks, RHP, TB
Pete Fairbanks could be on the trade market, considering the Tampa Bay Rays are fourth in the American League East with a 21-26 record. The reliever has a $7 million club option this offseason. If Tampa Bay does not intend to pick up his option, they may listen to trade offers for the 31-year-old right-hander.
Fairbanks has eight saves in nine opportunities and has been the Rays' primary closer since 2023. He saved 25 saves out of 29 opportunities two seasons ago followed by 23 saves in 27 save opportunities in 2024.
The Rays pitcher figures to have plenty of suitors with two months until the deadline. Fairbanks has not been one of the top closers in saves in 2023 or 2024, but he has been consistent. The Phillies should have an interest in acquiring him to strengthen their relief corps.
Ryan Helsley, RHP, STL
Ryan Helsley has already been in trade rumors involving the Phillies over the last couple of weeks. He finished with 19 saves out of 23 chances in 2022 and 14 saves in 19 opportunities two years ago.
The right-hander emerged as the St. Louis Cardinals' closer in 2024, finishing with 49 saves, the most in MLB. St. Louis may prefer not to sign the pending free agent to an extension, which would increase the likelihood that he will be traded by the July 31 deadline.
Helsley has gotten off to a solid start this year with nine saves in 11 opportunities. The 30-year-old will be one of the more sought-after relievers on the trade market even though the Cardinals are only behind the Chicago Cubs for the lead in the National League Central.
Alvarado’s suspension also includes any postseason games the Phillies play this year. Considering they may not get any more opportunities to contend for a World Series with this core of players, the team may be determined to trade for Helsley to make another run at a championship.
Kyle Finnegan, RHP, WSH
Kyle Finnegan finished 14th among relievers with 28 saves two years ago. The Washington Nationals closer did even better in 2024 with 38 saves, which was third most in MLB.
Finnegan has gotten off to a good start with 14 saves in 16 opportunities over 17 appearances for the Nationals in 2025. One of the primary issues the Phillies have in trading for him is that the two teams are both in the National League East, making a deadline deal potentially unlikely.
However, if Philadelphia makes the best trade offer for Finnegan, would Washington still choose not to trade their closer to an NL East foe? The Phillies have made trades with one of the other franchises in their division, the Miami Marlins.
Trades between teams in the same division do not happen often, so Phillies fans should not get their hopes up about the team trading for the Nationals’ closer. However, Finnegan would provide Philadelphia with a boost to their bullpen, particularly in the wake of Alvarado’s suspension.