The Philadelphia Phillies are rumored to be revisiting their options to strengthen their bullpen by pursuing former Yankees closer Clay Holmes. According to a recent prediction by Michael Seitz of TWSN.net, Holmes, who recently excelled as a set-up man in the playoffs, may be a prime target for Philadelphia after a season marked by a 3.14 ERA and 30 saves with the Yankees.
Holmes, a two-time All-Star with the Yankees, transformed himself into one of MLB’s top relief arms since joining New York in 2021. Although he lost his closer role late in the season, his strong performance in setup situations has kept him high on the free-agent market. Multiple teams, especially within the AL and NL East, are reportedly interested in him. However, Seitz believes the Phillies could be a serious contender for his services.
Philadelphia has key bullpen pieces Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez entering free agency, leaving the Phillies looking for solid relievers to maintain their bullpen depth. If Holmes joins the Phillies, he could compete for the closer role, potentially filling the gap left by Estevez. However, even if he assumes a setup role, Holmes would bring late-game reliability to the Phillies’ bullpen.
Holmes Likely to Get Multi-Year Deal
Despite losing his closer spot, Holmes remains one of the more desirable bullpen options on the free-agent market. MLBTradeRumors projects that Holmes, turning 32 just before Opening Day, could secure a three-year contract worth around $30 million. Comparisons have been drawn to Taylor Rogers, who recently secured a three-year, $33 million deal, suggesting Holmes may attract similar offers. However, due to his rocky year as a closer, it’s uncertain whether the Yankees will be interested in re-signing him.
Phillies’ Bullpen Strategy for 2025
Phillies GM Dave Dombrowski has emphasized the team’s priority on adding bullpen depth to complement their remaining core relievers, including Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm, and José Alvarado. “One more [reliever] for sure,” Dombrowski stated, noting that some solutions might also come from within the team. Philadelphia sees promising potential in internal options, with pitchers like Michael Banks expected to step up next season.
A deal for Holmes would be a strategic move to bolster the Phillies’ late-game reliability, positioning them for another competitive season.
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