Ranking the closer possibilities for the 2024 Philadelphia Phillies
What are the options available for the Phillies to fill their closer role?
As free agency begins, the Philadelphia Phillies have a few holes to fill as they retool for the 2024 MLB season. One of those holes will be a critical one in the bullpen, with closer Craig Kimbrel heading into free agency. As a result, we'll take a look at the possible options available for the Phillies to pursue to fill their closer role for the 2024 season and rank the probability of each.
Re-signing Craig Kimbrel
So why not just re-sign Craig Kimbrel as the easiest solution for the Phillies?
After all, he put together a strong season for the ballclub in 2023. He went 8-6 with a 3.26 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 28 walks, and 94 strikeouts in 69 innings pitched during the regular season. He also became an All-Star for the ninth time in his career as a result of his impressive work. He was so dominant for the Phillies at one point that he didn’t register a blown save until after the All-Star break.
However, there were signs that Kimbrel was beginning to falter down the stretch when he blew five saves in the final two months of the season. Consequently, fellow reliever José Alvarado ended up taking over some of the closing duties in important games during September.
But on top of that all, the Phillies’ faithful will probably never forget the two most important games of the year that he blew during the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks that eventually led to their elimination from World Series contention. As a result, the Phillies most likely won’t have the confidence to bring Kimbrel back for another go at it and would prefer someone much more consistent and reliable.
Probability of Craig Kimbrel returning to the closer role: Highly unlikely
NEXT: Internal options the Phillies could look at to fill the closer vacancy
Internal options: José Alvarado, Seranthony Domínguez, Jeff Hoffman
The good part about the current makeup of the Phillies’ bullpen is the fact that they have a lot of solid, dependable arms that they could deploy as a closer if needed.
Obviously, the unanimous choice would probably be moving José Alvarado into the closer role, as he has been one of the most dominant relievers for the Phillies during the past two seasons. In particular, he had a career year in 2023, compiling a 1.74 ERA, 249 ERA+, 1.16 WHIP, with 64 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings of work over 42 appearances.
He even got some experience in the closer role by notching 10 saves during the past season. However, he has been so exceptional in the setup role that the Phillies may want to keep him there, where he has been the most effective.
Another candidate would be flamethrowing Seranthony Domínguez. With a blazing fastball that averages 98 mph and tops out in triple digits, he certainly has the true makings of a bonafide closer. However, Domínguez struggled quite a bit with his command and consistency throughout 2023 as he pitched to a respectable 3.78 ERA but a more worrisome 1.40 WHIP.
He also struck out less than one batter per inning for the first time in his career. So unless Domínguez can regain his consistency for 2024, he shouldn’t be promoted to the closer role just yet.
Another standout reliever for the Phillies in 2023 was Jeff Hoffman. He posted career-best numbers with a 2.41 ERA, 180 ERA+, and a 0.92 WHIP. In addition, he gave up only 14 earned runs, including just three home runs, along with 69 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings of work. Although he has a blistering fastball that averages in the 97 mph range, he tends to utilize his slider more as his wipeout pitch.
If the Phillies intend to keep Alvarado in the setup role and not look elsewhere to fill the closer role, look for Hoffman to potentially step up to fill the void in 2024.
Probability of the Phillies using an internal option in the closer role: Moderately likely
NEXT: External options the Phillies could look at to fill the closer vacancy
External options: Josh Hader and others
The current free agent market is loaded with many strong options that the Phillies can explore to fill their closer role. But there is one that stands out above the rest, and that candidate is none other than Josh Hader.
MLB.com has even previously suggested he would be a great fit for the Phillies. Hader has been one of the game’s most dominant closers for five of the past six seasons. In addition, he won’t even hit 30 until after Opening Day next season, so he definitely has plenty of great years remaining ahead of him.
After enduring a down season in 2022, he bounced back in a big way in 2023, posting a minuscule 1.28 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, giving up only eight earned runs all year with 85 strikeouts in just 56 1/3 innings pitched. More importantly, the Phillies had been rumored to be already linked to the All-Star closer prior to the start of free agency. He may cost a lot, as many other teams will compete for his services, but the Phillies will definitely be willing to go big to get the game-changer.
If the big push for Hader somehow falls through, the Phillies still have some viable options left in free agency in Liam Hendriks, Aroldis Chapman, Jordan Hicks, and former Phillie David Robertson. Obviously, they would fall in a tier slightly below Hader, but they have shown in the past to get the job done as the closer whenever called upon.
Among that group, Hicks would probably have the greatest upside, given he is just starting to hit his prime at the age of 27. In addition, he's coming off a solid second half of the 2023 season with the Toronto Blue Jays after being traded by the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline. With the ability to constantly hit triple digits on the radar gun, Hicks is exactly what the Phillies need to solidify their closer role.
With the Dave Dombrowski mentality that you need stars to win championships, look for the Phillies to go all out for Hader in upcoming free agency.
Probability of the Phillies using an external option in the closer role: Highly likely
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