Carlos Estévez
Things may not have ended the way Phillies fans would have wanted when Carlos Estévez gave up the eventual winning hit to Francisco Lindor during the NLDS against the New York Mets last year. But there’s still no question that Estévez is one of the more elite relief options currently remaining in the free agent market.
After all, he put together the best season of his MLB career in 2024 despite playing for a struggling Los Angeles Angels team for a fair chunk of the year. With the Phillies, Estévez compiled a 3-2 record with six saves, a 2.57 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 18 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched. Overall, he amassed a 2.45 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, with 12 walks and 50 strikeouts in 55 innings over 54 relief appearances with the Angels and Phillies.
Philadelphia may have added Jordan Romano and Joe Ross to their bullpen for 2025, but both players are coming off injuries from recent years. Estévez, on the other hand, hasn’t had any health ailments at all since getting COVID way back in 2022. Therefore, if the Phillies want a durable, reliable piece to help stabilize their bullpen for years to come, a potential reunion with Estévez would do the trick. Especially with the fact that he would likely be hungry for another opportunity at the postseason with a contender to wipe out his lasting playoff memories from his 2024 campaign.
Spencer Turnbull
One of the surprises of the Phillies’ 2023-24 offseason signings, Spencer Turnbull actually had a strong debut with the club last year. With Walker starting the season on the IL, Turnbull got his opportunity to start for the Phillies and sure did a commendable job.
In seven total starts over the course of the season, he amassed a 2-0 record with a stellar 1.78 ERA and 0.85 WHIP, along with 38 strikeouts in just 35 1/3 innings. However, upon Walker's return, Turnbull was moved to the bullpen where he struggled to a 4.26 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, giving up nine earned runs in just 19 innings of work in 10 relief appearances. However, his 2024 season would come to a premature end as a result of a right lat strain that he suffered in late June.
Despite a small sample size, Turnbull did impress as a starter with the Phillies, showing glimpses of his dominant form seen back in his days as a front-end starter for the Detroit Tigers. However, having a lengthy history of ailments, he was met with injury woes once again last year that ultimately cut short his tenure with Philadelphia.
Given that Turnbull only cost $2 million when the Phillies signed him last offseason, he should be around that figure once again for this offseason in free agency. As a result, Turnbull would make for some inexpensive, valuable starting pitching depth for Philadelphia for the upcoming season if they choose to give him another chance.