Call to the pen
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Phillies: Girardi’s new sandman coming to close

By Tal Venada

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 05: Manager Joe Girardi #28 speaks with Todd Frazier #29 and Gary Sanchez #24 of the New York Yankees after making a pitching change during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game one of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field on October 5, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 05: Manager Joe Girardi #28 speaks with Todd Frazier #29 and Gary Sanchez #24 of the New York Yankees after making a pitching change during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game one of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field on October 5, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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With proper help, Dominguez will probably fulfill his promise for the Phillies. Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images. /

First choice:   

If you haven’t guessed, the Phillies fireman is Seranthony Dominguez. And, no, management doesn’t expect a Mariano “the Sandman” Rivera in 2020, and nobody should even if he has a brilliant April and May. In fact, he might not even be the top pen option until the stretch drive.

Girardi and Price will zero in on Dominguez’s potential in Clearwater and the first half. By July, however, the flamethrower should show more than just glimpses of brilliance and be one of three arms Girardi signals for when trouble threatens a red pinstripes’ lead. Expect a major weapon!

Dominguez’s arsenal:

  • Four-seam fastball: 457 for 60.6 percent
    with a 97.7-mph average and a 99.6-mph high.
  • Slider: 158 for 34.6 percent.
  • Changeup: 22 for 4.8 percent.

Girardi had Rivera as his closer for six campaigns, so he –more than other skippers– realizes the value of a hurler being even Sandman-like. Meanwhile, Price had 12 years of coaching experience before managing the Cincinnati Reds for five summers. Translation: These baseball lifers will tap into Dominguez’s natural-cut heater.

While Hector Neris handled the ninth frame in 2019 due to injuries, Dominguez will probably close after earning the role. As for Neris, he had 53 acceptable outings (50 good) out of 68: 77.9 percent. And the rule of thumb for satisfactory performances is 75-80 percent.

National projected estimates:

  • Hudson: $12 million, 2 Yrs. and $6 million AAV.
  • Pomeranz: $16 million, 2 Yrs. and $8 million AAV.
  • Harris: $18 million, 2 Yrs. and $9 million AAV.

Basically, the red pinstripes will probably bid for a third fireman to join Dominguez and Neris: Daniel Hudson or Will Harris. But Hudson could be the execs’ target: He has late-inning experience and a reasonable price tag, However, a second reliever could come via a swap.

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