Under owner John Middleton, the Philadelphia Phillies have demonstrated in recent years that they aren’t hesitant to invest in players they believe will help them win a World Series.
The Phillies have demonstrated their aggressiveness in free agency by signing players such as Trea Turner, Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Bryce Harper.
They want to cement their roster as a legitimate championship contender, which is why they have been continuously linked to a number of players this offseason.
Craig Kimbrel, the closer, is about to enter free agency, and it doesn’t appear like Philadelphia plans to bring him back.
So, aside from Jose Alvarado, whom will the Phillies turn to in the closing innings?
According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, they ought to go after Josh Hader, the top closer available.
As reported by MLB.com, “Morosi sees three teams as ideal fits: the reigning World Series-champion Rangers, the Phillies and the Cubs.”
His justification is that Philadelphia needs to bring in a replacement for Kimbrel, who led the team in saves in 2023. Hader’s projected cost, however, is expected to be higher than $102 million, which was paid to New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz in a record-breaking contract.
Paying that much money for Hader seems improbable given the Phillies’ expenditures to re-sign Nola and their continued pursuit of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, another starting pitcher.
Orion Kerkering, their rookie, had some late-season struggles, but he appears ready to play a significant role in their bullpen in 2024.
Although Morosi lists relief arms as a fit, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowksi seems to be looking to add in free agency, so don’t expect them to give out a record-setting contract.