Philadelphia Phillies: Facing priorities toward acquiring a closer
By Tal Venada
Financial options:
Besides closers who are 33 or younger for three-year commitments, the Phillies have the flexibility to tap a candidate from a handful of relievers already on their active 25. Otherwise, Craig Kimbrel and David Robertson will cost more than Familia, Cody Allen and Kelvin Herrera.
Calculation for a blowup:
- 4 earned runs or more for less than 2 innings.
- 3 earned runs for less than 1 inning.
- no situations were present for unearned runs for these relievers.
Beginning at the top, Kimbrel had a higher ERA in three of his last four campaigns than his four seasons with the Atlanta Braves. In ’18, he recorded a 2.74 ERA, 42 saves and one blowup. But he earned $13 million in 2018 and will receive offers at or above that.
Even though Robertson might consider a two-summer pact, he also earned $13 million in ’18, but he can work difficult frames and close. He had a 3.23 ERA, five saves, 21 holds and two blowups. That stated, the red pinstripes may need to make the postseason first before adding a high-caliber arm.
After receiving $10.6 million for last season, Allen had a off year with a 4.70 ERA, 27 saves, seven holds and three blowups. But he’ll only be 30 and he had four consecutive 162s with a sub-3.00 ERA. In other words, he may be open to a three-campaign contract at $8-10 million per summer. Bears watching!
Herrera earned $7.94 million for 2018 in his final arbitration year but will probably be in the $6-8 million range. However, after he had excelled with the Kansas City Royals, he had a 4.34 ERA with the Washington Nationals for 21 outings before ending up on the DL. Overall, he produced a 2.44 ERA, 17 saves and no blowups.
Like Allen and Herrera, Familia is a first-time free agent. Last year, he made $7.93 million, had a 3.13 ERA, 18 saves but two blowups and has recorded four solid 162s over five seasons. That stated, he is someone the Phils could have interest in.