5 free agents from NL East rivals who would be hilarious signings for the Phillies

With MLB free agency still getting started, we're waiting to see where players land for 2026. While the Philadelphia Phillies had a swath of players hit the free agent market, so did their biggest rivals. Free agents from the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are out there and it would be hilarious if the Phillies ended up signing some of these players.

There are certainly superstar players who spent this year with the Braves or Mets who won't be of interest to the Phillies. The front office has specific needs and a finite amount of money they prefer to spend.

Still, Phillies fans would gloat if the franchise were to sign any former rival free agents and they did well, particularly against in NL East matchups against their former clubs.

5 free agents from the Mets and Braves who it would be hilarious for the Phillies to sign

Ryan Helsley, RHP

Ryan Helsley was viewed as a potential target for the Phillies at the trade deadline. However, the Mets acquired him. The right-hander had a colossal 9.23 ERA and a 2.17 WHIP in August, followed by a 5.23 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP in September. His nine blown saves were a career high. According to The Athletic's Chris Kirschner, Helsley tipped his pitches while with the Mets (subscription required), which would explain the reason for his awful performance.

If the Phillies signed Helsley as a bounce-back candidate, he wouldn't be the closer. But what if he redeemed himself in 2026 and looked like the reliever who finished with a 1.83 ERA from 2022 through 2024?

Pete Alonso, 1B

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski shut down any speculation that Bryce Harper would move back to right field in favor of the club signing first baseman Pete Alonso. Although, Alonso would give the Phillies a right-handed hitting power hitter.

Regardless, Alonso rumors will start if Kyle Schwarber doesn't re-sign and Alonso is available. The 30-year-old finished with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs in 162 games this season, the second most of his career. Games between the Phillies and Mets would be entertaining for Philadelphia fans to see how he would do against New York.

Raisel Iglesias, RHP

Raisel Iglesias has been a reliable closer for the Atlanta Braves with 33, 34 and 29 saves each year starting in 2023. After enduring inconsistencies earlier this season, he was exceptional toward the end of the year with a 0.34 ERA and 0.64 WHIP over the final two months. He went 18-for-18 in saves, with 27 strikeouts over 26 2/3 innings.

Iglesias has more experience in save opportunities than Helsley with 291 to 132. The seasoned veteran would provide more experience for the Phillies' bullpen and provide manager Rob Thomson with another option if Duran gets injured or slumps.

Edwin Díaz, RHP

Edwin Díaz is the top relief pitcher available. The Mets extended him a qualifying offer, making it even less likely the Phillies would agree to a deal with him. He finished the year with a 1.63 ERA, one of the best among closers. The 31-year-old native of Naguabo, Puerto Rico, finished with a 0.87 WHIP in 62 contests.

Like the additions of Helsley or Iglesias, the Phillies' signing of Díaz would appear unnecessary, considering they already have Duran, José Alvarado, Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering. However, adding a reliever of Díaz's caliber would give the Phillies one of the best bullpens in MLB.

Tyler Rogers, RHP

The Mets traded for reliever Tyler Rogers from the San Francisco Giants at the deadline this summer. The 34-year-old had one of the best years of his career, with a 1.98 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP in a career-high 81 appearances.

Rogers is the most realistic free agent on this list that would make sense for the Phillies and would be the most affordable of the five players. He could provide another seventh or eighth inning option for Thomson, providing a different look with his extremely low, submarine arm slot.