Philadelphia Phillies pitchers and catchers are due to report to Clearwater, Florida, on Feb. 12 for the start of spring training. The first full-squad workout is on Feb. 17. The roster is primarily set. However, the team could increase their depth at two position groups.
Philadelphia would benefit from adding another reliever and outfielder before the start of spring training.
Several free agents are still available at both positions, which the Phillies could sign to affordable one-year contracts or invite to spring training.
The bullpen was decent during the regular season. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski traded for Carlos Estévez at the trade deadline. The addition gave the Phillies a proven closer, which they lacked during the first half. José Alvarado struggled during the second half, which impacted the bullpen. The left-hander had been one of the team’s late-inning relievers and could not be relied upon in that role.
However, the bullpen had a collective meltdown during the NLDS versus the New York Mets. The performance was one of the main causes of the Phillies’ series loss.
While the bullpen was much more dependable during the regular season, Phillies relievers had an 11.37 ERA through the four games, one of the highest in postseason history. According to a piece by Dayn Perry of CBS Sports, they ranked 14th in team ERA, 10th in bullpen FIP (fielding independent pitching), and sixth in FanGraphs’ version of WAR (wins above replacement). The relievers allowed 16 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings. The group surrendered seven walks and four home runs, including Francisco Lindor’s series-clinching grand slam in Game 4.
4 good free agent fits for Phillies who are somehow still available
The Phillies need to turn the page to 2025. More importantly, they need to play much better down the stretch of the regular season to enter the playoffs with momentum. They did so in 2022, made the playoffs, and won their first National League pennant since 2009.
Last year, they did not play well during the summer and end of the regular season. There were doubts they would beat the Mets in the playoffs because of how the club played over the previous three months. While the 2025 roster may be set, Philadelphia would benefit from adding another free agent to their outfield and bullpen.
