The Phillies need to invest in high-leverage bullpen arms
While the 2024 bullpen was not outstanding by any means, what happened in this year's playoffs was a disaster.
Through four games in the NLDS, the bullpen allowed 20 hits and 16 earned runs, leading to an 11.37 ERA and a 2.13 WHIP. Multiple times, the Phillies sent one of their two All-Star relievers out in high-leverage opportunities to either hold the Mets or slam the door shut, and every time, they blew it.
"I’m really not sure what happened at that point," Dombrowski said about the postseason bullpen meltdown in his season-ending press conference. "I was surprised as anybody, as I think all of us were at that point because they had pitched efficiently. They’ve been in the postseason before. They’re not young guys … they’ve had the experience. That probably surprised me more than anything."
The lineup didn't do them any favors, as the tight games and little run support unquestionably added pressure on the bullpen's shoulders on the mound. That being said, when you send relievers like Jeff Hoffman, Carlos Estévez and Matt Strahm out, you expect to win those games. This offseason, the Phillies will look to add arms, not just lose them.
Both of the former Colorado Rockie teammates, Estévez and Hoffman are free agents. The former Los Angeles Angels veteran Estévez is expecting a multi-year deal over the $10 million AAV mark. Hoffman, on the other hand, is valued at just over $6 million, according to Spotrac. While Estévez's closing experience and tenure will likely earn him a bigger deal, Hoffman's AAV could creep up as teams in postseason position looking to win now could try and pounce on what seems to be his peak.
With everyone else in the bullpen returning, the hope would be to at least re-sign one of the big arms and add to it with complimentary pieces. While finding a reliable arm is not easy, the Phillies had a young pitcher explode on the scene and make an impact early with young righty Orion Kerkering.
They could bank on developing an arm or two from the farm or make a splash and add more high-leverage types, such as Tanner Scott, or some relievers who just appeared in the World Series, like the Dodgers' Blake Treinen or the Yankees' Tommy Kahnle or Clay Holmes.