The Philadelphia Phillies are making moves this offseason-and their latest one raises a few eyebrows. The club has signed left-handed reliever Colin Poche to a major league deal, a decision that comes just days after trading away Matt Strahm.
On the surface, it’s a curious pivot. Poche’s recent track record doesn’t exactly scream “bullpen upgrade,” but as is often the case with relievers, teams are betting on upside, even if it’s buried beneath a rough stat line.
Let’s rewind for a second. Poche had a blink-and-you-missed-it stint with the Mets in 2025, appearing in just one game.
In that outing, he faced four batters, retired two, walked two, and gave up two earned runs. That appearance came during a brutal stretch for the Mets, who were spiraling at the time.
Poche was one of several left-handed options the Mets cycled through in hopes of stabilizing their bullpen. It didn’t work.
Before landing in Queens, Poche had been designated for assignment by the Nationals after posting an 11.42 ERA over 13 games. That’s not a typo-11.42 in 8.2 innings. It’s the kind of number that makes you wince, even in the small-sample chaos of relief pitching.
So what’s the play here for the Phillies?
This move fits into a broader trend we’ve seen from Philadelphia this offseason: they’re not afraid to take chances. They re-signed Kyle Schwarber, brought in Adolis García on a one-year deal to man right field, and added Brad Keller on the same contract the Mets gave Luke Weaver. There’s a clear strategy at work-grab experienced talent, even if it comes with question marks, and hope the environment or coaching staff can unlock something.
Poche, for all his recent struggles, still fits the mold of a potentially useful lefty arm. He’s not guaranteed a roster spot-far from it.
In fact, this could be a split contract or a depth move with an eye toward stashing him in Triple-A. But if the Phillies can identify a mechanical tweak or find a way to rebuild his confidence, there’s a chance he becomes more than just a flyer.
That said, the recent numbers don’t offer much optimism. In Triple-A last season, Poche posted a 4.82 ERA over 18.2 innings.
And his winter league performance hasn’t helped his case-he’s been tagged for six earned runs in just 6.2 innings in Puerto Rico. Those are the kind of outings that get you noticed for the wrong reasons.
Still, this is the kind of low-risk, high-variance move that teams often make in the offseason. If Poche figures it out, even briefly, he could provide value as a situational lefty. If not, it’s a quick DFA and onto the next arm.
And yes, Mets fans might find some humor in this. After all, they’ve watched both the Yankees and Phillies rummage through their discard pile this winter.
But this isn’t just about picking up castoffs-it’s about trying to squeeze value out of every corner of the market. The Phillies are clearly in win-now mode, and they’re not afraid to take unconventional swings to build a deeper bullpen.
Whether Poche ends up contributing or fading into the background remains to be seen. But in a league where bullpen depth is gold, even longshots like this one can turn into key pieces-if the stars align.