Predicting where each Phillies free agent will sign in 2025

There's a relatively small group of outbound players from the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason. Now that the World Series has come and gone, three players immediately became unrestricted free agents:

• RHP Jeff Hoffman
• RHP Carlos Estevez
• RHP Spencer Turnbull

While the big-league roster may see some turnover in the form of non-tenders and/or trades, it seems that this pitching trio will be the biggest names on the way out the door this winter. Each of them were above-average producers on the club, but there's no guarantee they're brought back.

In fact, there's a chance none of them are brought back. There's going to be stiff competition, especially for Hoffman and Estevez. For Hoffman specifically, he has already made it clear that he'd be happy to hear from the Phillies and potentially return next year.

Let's break down the three free agents and predict where they'll land their next contracts.

Predicting where each Phillies free agent will sign in 2025

Jeff Hoffman

Starting with easily the most successful of the bunch, Hoffman made the All-Star Game in 2024 and just wrapped up one hell of a two-year stint on the Phillies. He's seen his career undergo a complete turnaround from struggling starter to dominant reliever who can go multiple innings per outing and even close games.

In a career-high 68 appearances this season, the right-hander posted a sparkling 2.17 ERA, 2.52 FIP and 188 ERA+, which puts his total production at 88 percent above league average. That'll play.

Hoffman has upped his game when it comes to strikeout rate — he's punched out 11.9 or more batters per nine in each of the past two years after having a previous career-high of 9.7 — while also cutting back on walks and being extra stingy when it comes to giving up the longball.

There are going to be a ton of teams interested in bringing in relief help this offseason, but there's one that stands out above the rest in terms of which ones are the most desperate. That's why Hoffman seems most likely to land back where it all started (pre-MLB debut) with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays boasted one of the game's worst bullpens last season and have made it abundantly clear that they're going to target multiple upgrades there this offseason. Hoffman would be an excellent fit on a two- or three-year contract.

Prediction: Blue Jays

Carlos Estévez

Acquired at this year's trade deadline, Estévez took to his new fluid role on the Phillies very well. With Rob Thomson choosing not to tie any pitcher down to the closer's role, Estévez notched six saves down the stretch, but he was an oft-used weapon regardless.

The eight-year veteran made 20 total appearances in Philadelphia, to go with 34 of them pre-trade with the Angels. All told, he had a 2.45 ERA this season with 26 saves. He's a former All-Star himself who can fill multiple different back-end roles in a bullpen that needs the boost.

There doesn't seem to be a world where the Phillies let both Hoffman and Estévez leave in free agency. Having both of them move on would leave a gigantic void in their 'pen, so if they can't bring Hoffman back, they're going to do everything they can to bring Estévez back. Familiarity is an underrated aspect to where free agents choose their next homes. All parties enjoyed having Estévez in Philly, so he's bound to come back.

Prediction: Phillies

Spencer Turnbull

Turnbull, 32, has experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows throughout his big league career. He's thrown a no-hitter and he's also gone 3-17 while leading the league in hit batsmen in one season.

This year he looked great for the Phillies, filling key innings both out of the rotation and out of the bullpen. The right-hander only wound up making 17 appearances (seven starts) but he impressed, posting a 2.65 ERA and 154 ERA+ across 54 1/3 innings.

Turnbull is sure to be an under-the-radar free agent this winter, but there will certainly be teams interested in landing his services. He's still relatively young, he's versatile, and he's going to be very cheap.

A glance around the league will tell you that the Detroit Tigers need starting pitching as bad as anybody, but the way their relationship with Turnbull ended (subscription required) suggests that he's not going to pick them as his next club.

To be clear, there are about 15 teams that are in contention windows and could use a cheap starter. In a move to try and shore up their rotation and keep up with the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, we're going with the San Diego Padres as the one that wins the Turnbull sweepstakes.

Prediction: Padres

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