Apr 25, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jeff Hoffman (23) shakes hands with catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) after the victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports Katie Stratman
Every Tuesday, On Pattison's Tim Kelly and Anthony SanFilippo will answer your questions from social media pertaining to the Phillies. Let's get to it.
@Dan_Wilson4 on X: Is there any reason the Phillies didn't extend Jeff Hoffman a qualifying offer?
Tim Kelly: If the Phillies had extended the one-year/$21.05 million qualifying offer to Hoffman, I believe the overwhelming likelihood is he would have accepted it. The Phillies may like Hoffman, but the highest-paid reliever in baseball, Josh Hader, makes $19 million annually.
I would bet Hoffman will get a three-year deal in free agency that pays him $12-$14 million per season.
Anthony SanFilippo: It's a smart business decision, Dan. I have a hard time thinking of any reliever in baseball who is worth $21 million a year, but if there were one, he'd better be a lights out closer. As good as Hoffman was in 2024, he wasn't a legit closer. If he would have had a good playoff, I could see him getting more than $40 million guaranteed over the next three seasons. He didn't pitch well in the postseason though, and that may have cost him a few nickels.
@OwenSuozzo on X: Any interest in Nathan Eovaldi, who just opted out?
Tim Kelly: Prior to the 2019 season, the Phillies actually tried to sign Eovaldi to be their closer. He wisely declined that offer, instead returning to the Boston Red Sox on a four-year/$68 million deal to be a starter.
Here’s an interesting twist. The #Phillies, who are shopping for starters, made a run at Nathan Eovaldi - as a closer. But Eovaldi made it clear at his press conference today he really wanted to be a starter going forward.
Of course, the Red Sox were led by Dave Dombrowski at that time, so there's clearly a respect for him. I just don't think the Phillies have enough of a need in the starting rotation to be the ones that ultimately wind up signing Eovaldi this time around.
Anthony SanFilippo: Eovaldi would be a luxury. There are other positions of need first and foremost. A big money, veteran starter probably won't be in the cards for the Phillies. That said, with Andrew Painter likely on an innings limit and with not much starting pitching depth in the organization, I don't think the Phillies will ignore free agent starters, but if they are going to bolster the position, it's likely going to be with more affordable, back-end-of-the-rotation types as insurance policies for Painter's innings limit and potential injuries.
@Lawrenc17393208 on X: Does the addition of three new partners to the ownership group make the addition of significant new talent more likely?
Tim Kelly: Not only did the Phillies add three new limited partners last week, but they also said that managing partner John Middleton and limited partner Stan Middleman "will be contributing additional funds." There are multiple reasons to add more partners, such as committing to consistently paying the luxury tax, wanting to continue to make stadium improvements and estate planning. I would guess all those are factors here, but the Phillies understandably keep things close to the vest. All we really know is that while Middleton owns the largest chunk of the team, no partner has a majority stake in the team.
NEW at @OnPattison: Phillies have added three additional limited partners to the ownership group led by John Middleton.
A team spokesperson declined to get into specific percentages, but said that no partner owns a majority of the team. https://t.co/nPpmM7PtLz
Anthony SanFilippo: This sounds like you are asking the Juan Soto question without actually typing his name. It's OK, because it's a rational conclusion to the announcement of new partners. While I think it's a good look for the organization and it could account for reaching new heights when it comes to total payroll, it doesn't automatically mean more talent is going to be brought in from the outside, especially as pricey free agents. But, it does give Dave Dombrowski a lot more financial flexibility, which, considering the arms race in the National League, is absolutely essential.
@BatFlip17 on X: Who will be the Phillies starting CF on Aug. 1, 2024? This takes into account how you feel about the current CF, the offseason and deadline, as well as Crawford in the minors.
Tim Kelly: I'll say Justin Crawford, but it's really a shot in the dark. If the answer is Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas or someone we haven't even considered yet, I won't be surprised. It would surprise me if Crawford is with the Phillies on Opening Day, though. And for anyone still clinging onto the Mike Trout thing, it's probably time to give it up.
Anthony SanFilippo: While I think we will see Crawford at some point this season, I don't think he's the starting center fielder on a team with championship aspirations in 2025. Maybe the following year and beyond, but next year Dombrowski will ensure at least a good platoon, if not a new everyday player in center field.
@Thirtyballparks on Threads: Should the Phillies sign a traditional closer or continue the closer-by-committee route they've been using the last few seasons?
Tim Kelly: It won't be cheap, but it would be hard to argue with the Phillies trading for an established closer this offseason like Devin Williams or Ryan Helsley. The bullpen melted down in the postseason, and something of an overcorrection might be in store.
If The Phillies Want A Star Closer, There's More Evidence Devin Williams Could Be Traded - @OnPattison https://t.co/A9OnaPjVqR
That said, if the Phillies elect to bring back Hoffman and sign another veteran reliever, they probably will go into 2025 without a set closer. And they'll still probably have a very good bullpen, as they did for much of this past regular season.
Anthony SanFilippo: Julio Urias. Will Smith. Ryan Pressly. Josh Sborz. Walker Buehler. Any of those guys fit the definition of traditional closer? No? Well, they all threw the last out of a World Series in the last five years. Yeah, Pressly was the Astros full-time closer in 2022, but he's hardly traditional for the role, topping 12 saves just three times in a dozen major league seasons. The point is - the game has changed. It's all about matchups now and using your best arms when the right "pocket" of hitters is coming up, whether that's the seventh, eighth, or ninth inning. As such, the Phillies will be interested in a couple of big bullpen arms, but they don't necessarily have to be closers in the traditional sense. Think Hoffman and someone like Clay Holmes. That makes much more sense within the Phillies philosophy.
