Evan Phillips is off the board, and for Phillies fans, the destination makes it sting a little more. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the right-handed reliever has agreed to a three-year, $35 million deal with the Atlanta Braves, the largest free-agent contract handed out this winter so far.
That kind of move doesn’t just strengthen a rival. It sends a message. With only weeks left before the imposed lockout deadline at midnight on December 2, Atlanta has already added a high-end arm to a bullpen that was among baseball’s best, and the Phillies now have one fewer target to chase.
Phillips would have looked awfully good in Philadelphia. He has never allowed a postseason run in 18.1 playoff innings, which is exactly the sort of late-game track record that plays in October. Instead, he heads to a Braves relief group that already includes Didier Fuentes, who owns a 2.45 ERA and may actually be a starter in 2027, Dylan Lee at 3.09, Dylan Dodd at 2.54, Reynaldo López at 4.54, Victor Mederos at 3.41, Robert Suarez at 1.06 and Ray Kerr at 1.47.
For the Phillies, the bigger question is where they actually need help. Their right-handed relief mix is in decent shape with Jhoan Durán, Alex McFarlane and Johnathan Bowlan forming a solid core. The softer spot is on the left side, where the options don’t stack up nearly as well.
Heading into the 2027 season, Tim Mayza stands as the club’s most dependable lefty. The 34-year-old Allentown native has had a strong career, including shutdown work for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022 and ’23.
He also turned in a bounce-back season last year, logging a career-high 67.1 innings with a 3.48 ERA. Even so, he does not fit the mold of a late-inning weapon on a World Series contender.
That likely explains why Philadelphia may have hesitated at Phillips’ price. If managing partner John Middleton is going to spend heavily on a reliever, the cleaner fit might be a left-hander rather than another righty.
There are still names out there. Adrian Morejón carries a qualifying offer, while Alex Vesia, who posted a 1.59 playoff ERA in 22.2 innings, does not.
A.J. Minter and Sean Newcomb are also available, and both bring strong postseason résumés.
So Phillips going to Atlanta is a miss for the Phillies, but not necessarily a reason to sound the alarm just yet. If Philadelphia still hasn’t added to the bullpen by the time the lockout arrives, then the concern level changes fast.
In Other News...
Phillies May Have Found Their Next Big Offseason Bat
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Satos versatility only adds to the appeal, since he has handled both third base and the outfield in Japan. For a Phillies front office coming off a shorter postseason run in 2026, the interest makes sense as part of a broader effort to reshape the lineup, even if the real question is how aggressively they plan to pursue a player with that kind of profile. [Read more 🡒]
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Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that the Yankees have shown interest in Bohm, adding another layer to a situation that already felt unsettled. The Phillies also have Aidan Miller in the pipeline, and his presence gives the front office another option at third base, which could make a Bohm return less likely as the offseason unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Could Finally Fix One Problem Braves Fans Know Too Well
The Phillies are heading into an offseason that figures to bring real change after another early playoff exit, and Bryce Harper has already hinted that next years roster will look different. Philadelphias priorities are pretty clear from here: add more impact in the outfield and shore up a bullpen that has too often been asked to carry too much in October.
Randy Arozarena has emerged as one name worth watching as the front office starts sorting through options. He would give the Phillies the kind of productive outfield presence they have been missing, along with a player who has already handled postseason pressure, which is exactly the sort of profile that can matter when a contender is trying to close the gap. [Read more 🡒]