Teams can never have enough pitching. Both starting pitching and backend relief pitching distinguish good teams from great teams. The Philadelphia Phillies bullpen was mainly regarded as a strength in 2024. That will not preclude the organization from seeking extra help in their relief corps.
With both Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez becoming free agents this offseason, the Phillies may need to rely on an outside arm should they find themselves unable to re-sign one or both players. With a few free agent relief arms on the market, the club has been tied to two potential matches recently.
Phillies free agent targets: Tanner Scott vs. Clay Holmes
Two veteran relievers who could fit into the Phillies' bullpen are Tanner Scott and Clay Holmes. Scott's name was thrown around at this past season's trade deadline as a pitcher who could fill in the backend of the Phillies' bullpen nicely before he was traded to the San Diego Padres.
Holmes has spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates; however, his most successful seasons have been with the New York Yankees over the past four seasons.
Both players are relatively well-known and have put together solid seasons in the past. Which of the two would be a better addition to the Phillies' 2025 roster?
Tanner Scott
Scott had a very solid 2024 season. He began the year with the Miami Marlins but was sent to the Padres before the MLB trade deadline. He was successful both in South Florida and on the West Coast. Over 72 innings, the left-handed reliever posted a 1.25 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP. He also accumulated 22 saves (18 of which were in Miami) and retired 84 batters on strikes. He also pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings in the postseason as a member of the Padres.
His stellar 2024 campaign — which resulted in his first All-Star appearance — came on the heels of his previous career-best season in 2023, also with the Marlins. Putting together two solid years is impressive, but he did struggle during a few seasons earlier in his career. It appears that he may have turned the corner, though.
Scott will turn 31 next summer. He could be valuable to any team's bullpen in 2025. Putting together back-to-back good seasons has made him one of the top free agent bullpen arms this offseason. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com included the Phillies as a potential fit for the southpaw. If he comes at the right price, Scott could certainly help any bullpen in the game.
Clay Holmes
Holmes had an interesting 2024 season, to put it one way. He saved 30 games for the Yankees; however, he blew 13 saves as well. His solid first half gave the right-hander his second career All-Star nod. The second half of the year was not as kind to Holmes.
Understandably after blowing so many saves, he lost his job as the Yankees' closer but did rebound toward the end of the season and pitched well in the postseason. In fact, over the course of his career, Holmes has 19 career playoff appearances and has a solid 1.35 ERA in that span.
Holmes has been tied to the Phillies by Antony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors. The right-hander turns 32 before Opening Day. He does have solid overall numbers over his past two seasons, as he posted a 3.00 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and 54 saves. Were his second-half issues a sign of decline, or did he just hit a rut?
Which pitcher is the better fit for the Phillies bullpen?
Overall, Scott should be the preferred choice. He beats out Holmes in almost every major statistical category over the last two seasons. He is also younger and did not experience the same hiccups that Holmes went through in 2024.
The only real advantage Holmes has is overall postseason experience. His 19 appearances trounce Scott's four total games in the playoffs. Otherwise, Scott possesses a higher strikeout rate, ERA, WHIP and opponent on-base percentage.
In the event that Hoffman and/or Estévez do not return to the Phillies, Scott would be a likely upgrade to pitch high-leverage innings late in games. He displayed that he can do it as a member of the dominant Padres bullpen in the second half of 2024, he would certainly help the Phillies remain a top bullpen for 2025.