The Philadelphia Phillies are in the same boat as 29 other MLB ball clubs right now as they wait for the World Series to end and for free agency to begin. That doesn't mean that the Phillies front office will be stagnant between now and and the start of the offseason.
With a number of potential upgrades ready to hit the market, Dave Dombrowski and his baseball operations team will be looking to improve a roster that fell way short of expectations in 2024.
While some clues have emerged regarding a few areas where the Phillies could look to improve, notably the outfield, the team currently has 24 players under contract for next season, and only two potential roster spots to fill. Of course, a lot could happen between now and the start of spring training.
After failing to win a World Series title the last three seasons, the decisions made this offseason could be the difference between contending for a title in 2025 or watching the current competitive window reach a sudden and unsatisfying end.
Ranking 5 available free agent relief pitchers for Phillies to target for 2025
As mentioned above, the Phillies have two free agents who will hit the market this offseason: Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez. The exit of two of manager Rob Thomson's key bullpen arms would create chaos next season if they are not re-signed or replaced with comparable talent this winter. While Orion Kerkering, José Alvarado and Matt Strahm will return to high-leverage roles next season, the subtraction of Hoffman and Estévez would leave the Phillies bullpen vulnerable in 2025.
Let's take a look at five of the best relief arms available on the free agent market this offseason.
No. 5: Adam Ottavino
Replacing Hoffman's versatility at the back of the bullpen will be a tall order for the Phillies this offseason. Unless the team and player have interest in a reunion, Hoffman's combination of high-leverage relief and ability to save ball games sets a template for the type of pitcher the Phillies could target this offseason.
If the Phillies find themselves tasked with replacing Hoffman, New York Mets free agent Adam Ottavino has filled a range of different bullpen roles over the course of his 14-year MLB career.
Ottavino doesn't quite have the gas to intimidate hitters with a fastball that only tops out around 92.5 mph, but his four-seam fastball left opposing hitters batting .118 in 2024. Ottavino's sweeper and sinker both got outs this past season as well, with batters only managing a .225 batting average against the sweeper, and .231 against the slider.
No. 4: Jeff Hoffman
The Phillies could seek a reunion with Hoffman. Despite how things ended for Hoffman in the NLDS, the 31-year-old was outstanding in a 2024 season that saw him selected to his first All-Star Game. Shifting back and forth between closing duties and high-leverage relief situations, Hoffman has established himself as a late-innings weapon over the last two seasons.
Now a free agent, Hoffman will surely be looking for a healthy raise entering his age 32 season in 2025. It's no surprise that Hoffman should do very well for himself in free agency after posting a record of 8-5, with a 2.28 ERA and 11 saves, in addition to 158 strikeouts in 118 2/3 innings in 122 games in his two years in Philadelphia.
No. 3: Kenley Jansen
Kenley Jansen is sure to be a name on the radar of many MLB teams looking for a closer this offseason. Jansen, who is currently fourth all-time in career saves with 447, once again posted solid numbers while closing games for the Boston Red Sox this season, recording 27 saves and striking out 62 batters in 54 2/3 innings.
Two factors that could make the Phillies pass on Jansen are his age (37) and the Phillies bullpen arrangement that this past season required members of the bullpen to mix and match for save opportunities based on matchups. Unless the Phillies have decided to move on from that type of bullpen management, Jansen seems unlikely to be a legitimate free agent target for the Phillies this offseason.
No. 2: Carlos Estévez
Like Hoffman above, Estévez is a player the Phillies don't need an introduction to after arriving via trade from the Los Angeles Angels at the MLB trade deadline this season. Estévez posted strong numbers in his 20 games in a Phillies uniform, with a record of 3-2, a 2.57 ERA, with six saves and 18 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched. He saved 31 games split between the Angels and Phillies in 2024.
Estévez is about to turn 32 in December and will be looking to cash in as a free agent after making a successful conversion to the closer's role in 2023. With his price and desired years likely to influence his landing spot this offseason, the Phillies will have to weigh out the economics and the market forces at play to re-sign Estévez, and whether or not they consider his 20-game audition this season worth the cost of dealing two of the franchise's best pitching prospects to the Angels in July.
No. 1: Tanner Scott
Tanner Scott enters free agency as the top closer on the market after a strong season in which he produced 22 saves and a 1.75 ERA in 72 appearances. He had plenty of suiters at the deadline, with the San Diego Padres ultimately meeting the Miami Marlins' steep asking price. Now that money is the only cost to consider, get ready for contending teams with unlimited resources to keep his market both expensive and competitive.
The Phillies no doubt kicked the tires on Scott before trading for Estévez at the trade deadline. Whether the asking price for Scott or reluctance to deal within the division prevented such a deal is currently unknown.
With Estévez and Hoffman no slam dunk to return this winter, the Phillies will have to be players in the relief market. Could this be the offseason where the Phillies finally throw big money at a closer? If they do, Tanner Scott would be worth that investment.