Phillies: Joe Girardi's new sandman coming to close

4 of 5

Rivera, the Sandman, is an almost impossible act for any Phillies fireman to follow. Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images. /

If you could look at the pen through the eyes of the new Phillies manager, you’d see the potential on hand and have confidence in general manager Matt Klentak’s ability to acquire an arm or two for critical innings.

Dwarfed by a shadow:

Unfortunately, many Philadelphia Phillies fans have doubts about the team’s bullpen denizens, but baseball men aren’t so sure 2019’s injured-plagued pen can’t be an effective weapon. And Joe Girardi, especially, hasn’t forgotten a 2018 rookie throwing a high-90’s fastball with a natural cut due to his comparison to a masterful reliever.

IN OTHER WORDS: “That’s the game of baseball: amazing things happen.” – Mariano Rivera

Basically, the market has limited free-agent choices or trade targets. And the only relief-corps changes here were the aging veterans no one had expected to return. However, Klentak has hired an experienced skipper and pitching coach. Difference-makers?

When he inherited the relief corps, Girardi realized the need for a top-notch coach to maximize the talent already here. In fact, eight hurlers from ’19 will currently have a shot at making the 25-man roster during spring training. But two may compete to be the fifth starter: a southpaw and a right-hander.

In Bryan Price, the red pinstripes have hired a man who cares about his moundsmen, earns their respect, communicates his knowledge in an understandable manner, and unlocks their ability. So, the faithful should see marked improvement and/or a steady course of better performances.

How will Girardi and Price set up the pen? And if they have specific roles, which pitchers will mostly work the seventh, eighth or ninth? Or will the manager have three fireman to extinguish threats based on their strengths? And remember, the new three-batter rule is primarily for relievers.

While the Phils plan on plugging two holes in the five-man staff, they could also ink a bullpen piece or two. The hurdle: Scott Boras has three of the four top starters, and he can drag signings into March. Yes, the Fightins have inked two Boras’ clients in that month for the last two consecutive years.

Girardi relies on data and old-school baseball to have more victories than defeats. Translation: He and managing partner John S. Middleton hate to lose. Therefore, fans will probably be happy with this winter’s moves and the in-season results.

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.

Price will have the ears of the Phillies pitching staff. Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images. /

Filling out the pen:

Dominguez and Neris won’t have difficulty with the new three-batter rule because the Phillies pitchers can usually handle at least one frame. Up first, Adam Morgan had an excellent 162 with an acceptable rate of 90 percent. And he’s been a solid bullpen piece for three seasons.

Although portsider Jose Alvarez is more effective against left-handed hitters, he pitched 29 2/3 innings facing them but 29 1/3 frames verses right-side bats. And he had a 2.43 ERA against same-side hitters, plus he’ll mostly see them if the relief corps is healthy.

In ’18, Victor Arano had 60 opportunities for 59 1/3 innings and finished with a 2.73 ERA. Health-wise, he’ll probably be on a slower schedule in February and March after only working 4 2/3 frames last summer. But he could earn a setup role if he picks up where he left off in 2018.

If Klentak signs only one starter, lefty Ranger Suarez could fill the Fightins’ five slot. Otherwise, he’ll possibly handle higher-leveraged situations in the sixth and seventh innings. But keep in mind, most relievers have control problems and pitch only a frame or two, though Suarez’s entry into the pen was due to injuries.

The Phils could stretch the left-hander out in Clearwater or Triple-A after having some major league success in ’19. Basically, the Los Angeles Dodgers have their promoted starters working out of the pen and advance them to the rotation when the need arises.

If Klentak doesn’t win the Gerrit Cole sweepstakes, he’ll need a fifth starter, who would either be Suarez or Vince Velasquez. Plus Velasquez and Nick Pivetta will have a shot to earn a relief spot from day one. Yes, the higher-ups will give Price the opportunity to harness their high-90’s fastballs. Or the GM could move them instead.

The Phillies may have interest in Ray’s arb price, left-handed arm and age. Photo by C. Petersen/Getty Images. /

Right direction:

Whether the Phillies ink Cole Hamels or deal for southpaw Robbie Ray‘s final arb campaign at an estimated $10.8 million, they could have Cole or another top-tier moundsman in the fold by mid-February. If not, Suarez or Velasquez will receive consideration.

Klentak will probably acquire a fireman or two, but the market for those arms is not plentiful. So, the exec may add a free-agent reliever sooner rather than later.

The new three-batter rule will be important to watch in spring training and the first half. Fortunately, the good guys don’t have or won’t pick up any one-out hurlers, but constructing a left-right balance in the lineup will affect offseason moves regarding the offense’s answer to this wrinkle.

The ball will not be the same either in 2020 to offset 2019’s barrage of home runs, but will it be the year of the pitcher? And expect that lopsided advantage to swing pendulum-like in the other direction and those fly-ball homers to stay in the park next season.

Before you sour on any starter or reliever who has a bad outing, allow the new pitching coach some time to remedy any mechanical problems, improve their best pitches, or fix new issues they’re having. And do me, yourself and the red pinstripes a favor, okay? Give Price a chance!

Neris was more comfortable in difficult situations last season, which benefits the Phillies. Photo by J. Robbins/Getty Images. /

The Numerical Bible:

This review is not a sabermetrics article, which means no heavy statistical analysis. But because some readers rely on stats, this is only a reference: no reason to articulate the importance of these numbers.

Phillies: Girardi’s new sandman coming to close