3 free agents who can still bolster Phillies bullpen after Josh Hader chose Astros
The top free agent closer agreed to a massive contract with Houston on Friday, but there are still some options on the market if the Phillies decide to add a reliever.
By Matt Grazel
Josh Hader is no longer a free agent after he signed a deal with the Houston Astros for five years and $95 million on Friday. The Philadelphia Phillies were in rumors as a suitor for Hader but were never in serious consideration to sign the best closer available.
BREAKING: Star closer Josh Hader and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a five-year, $95 million contract, a source tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 19, 2024
The deal contains no deferrals. It is the largest present-day value contract for a relief pitcher in baseball history.
Hader's deal has already affected the free agent relief pitcher market, with two other relievers, Robert Stephenson and John Brebbia, signing deals with the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox, respectively. If the Phillies want to add a free agent to help their bullpen, they need to do so quickly, as the market has picked up, and there are just over three weeks left until spring training begins.
Which free agent relievers could the Phillies consider adding, following the Astros' blockbuster signing?
Here are three free agents who can still bolster the Phillies bullpen.
Aroldis Chapman
The veteran reliever has many years of experience as a closer. However, Aroldis Chapman is not the same pitcher he used to be. Following his exit from the New York Yankees, the Kansas City Royals decided to add him to bolster their bullpen on a one-year deal last offseason.
Aroldis has arrived. pic.twitter.com/Gp1wxqQ6sP
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) July 1, 2023
Chapman posted a 2.45 ERA in 31 games with the Royals. It was his lowest since 2019 when he finished with a 2.21 ERA in 60 contests with the Yankees. He didn't receive nearly as many save opportunities compared to earlier in his career with the Cincinnati Reds and New York. He converted two of four save chances with Kansas City.
The Texas Rangers traded for Chapman last season to strengthen their bullpen with an eye on making the postseason. While he had shaky outings at times, the 35-year-old contributed to the club winning a World Series. The reliever also earned a championship after being traded mid-season in 2016 from the Yankees to the Chicago Cubs.
Philadelphia could sign Chapman to a one-year deal as a setup man, considering he is not a dominant closer anymore. He could still be used as a ninth-inning reliever if the Phillies are in a situation with many relievers unavailable or the club is dealing with multiple injuries to its bullpen. He would add depth as an experienced option for manager Rob Thomson to use in the later innings of a game.