HOPE AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW
By revamping bullpen, Dombrowski gives Phils a fighting chance
Everyone will remember 2020 as a lost season in Philadelphia. Incomplete with a COVID-shortened schedule, no fans and another failed attempt to reach the playoffs. Most will point to a historically bad bullpen for the shortcomings in manager Joe Girardi’s debut season in red pinstripes.
A mix of veterans from Tommy Hunter to Adam Morgan, newcomers JoJo Romero and Ramon Rosso and in-season pickups Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree combined to repeatedly blow leads of all sizes and make Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia analyst/former reliever Ricky Bottalico gag nearly every night.
The 2021 season brings optimism, but not just because of the statistical probability that the bullpen will be better.
First-year president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski — he of the Hall of Fame front-office resume — has made many attempts with limited resources to revamp and revitalize the bullpen since taking over in December.
Enter Archie Bradley and Brandon Kintzler, hard-throwing and brash veterans with proven track records.
Enter hard-throwing Jose Alvarado and fellow left-hander Tony Watson.
Enter hard-throwing Sam Coonrod. Exit nearly everyone from 2020, minus Hector Neris (who will be a free agent after this season) and youngsters with promise including JoJo Romero, Connor Brogdon and Ramon Rosso — all capable of sitting in the high-90s with their fastball.
Romero showed signs that he can stick in for the long haul when he revamped his style and attitude from that of a lefty junk baller to one who can throw three polished pitches led by a mid- to high-90s heater.
Brogdon recovered from his first major-league stint by dominating in September with a 97-mph fastball to go with an above-average change-up, a cutter and a resurgence of confidence.
There are other youngsters on the fringes who likely will start the season in the minors: Bailey Falter, Damon Jones, Mauricio Llovera and Adonis Medina, all of whom are on the 40-man roster.
Right-hander David Hale is a leftover who figures to be in the mix in a bullpen in which Girardi and first-year pitching coach Caleb Cotham plan to have defined roles — something that was missing in 2020.
There also is Enyel De Los Santos, who was exposed to all other MLB teams in the offseason with no takers. But his velocity has returned to the 96-98 mph range, something first seen when he came over from the Padres in the Freddy Galvis deal and dominated in the minors in 2018-19.
Ranger Suarez (visa problems) and Kyle Dohy (lat injury) are two lefties who likely won’t be ready to help the Phillies when they start the season April 1 against the visiting Braves.
A reliable rotation, one that routinely produces six or more quality innings, can give the bullpen a fighting chance.
Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler are proven aces. Zach Eflin is working his way into the conversation as a reliable No. 3 starter with No. 1 stuff.
Spencer Howard, a 2017 second-round pick, struggled in his first six MLB starts in 2020, averaging four innings per outing with a 5.92 ERA. But the right-hander’s arsenal is better than that.
And there’s Vince Velasquez, who continues to tease with talent combined with inconsistency. Dombrowski brought in veterans Matt Moore and Chase Anderson as rotation options.
Bradley and Kintzler were part of other MLB bullpens that came together in part because of their cohesiveness and collective attitude that they can get the job done whenever called upon.
It, of course, will take more than talk for the Phillies relievers to be a positive part of the 2021 team.
The bullpen is a fickle group with no guarantees. Bradley and Kintzler were available because previous teams felt they would be better off without them. Other teams passed on Watson because he will be
36 the day before Memorial Day.
Kintzler and Watson were signed to minor-league deals with late March opt-outs.
Alvarado came to the Phillies with physical and personal alarms from a franchise (Rays) that has a stellar track record with regard to talent evaluation and being financially frugal.
The Phillies are not in a position to do much more with the luxury tax looming. They have $2 million to $3 million available to make a deadline move should they be in a position to end their 9-year playoff drought.
Dombrowski comprised a bullpen better than his predecessor. It’s now up to the relievers to produce and give the Phillies and their fans a chance to see meaningful baseball in October.
PHILIES BULLPEN
l WHO’S IN?: LHP Tony Watson, RHP Brandon Kintzler, RHP Sam Coonrod, RHP Archie Bradley, LHP Jose Alvarado
l WHO’S OUT?: LHP Cole Irvin (traded to Athletics); LHP Adam Morgan (free agent); RHP David Phelps (club did not exercise option); RHP David Robertson (free agent); RHP Brandon Workman (free agent);
LHP Jose Alvarez (free agent); RHP Blake Parker (free agent); RHP Tommy Hunter (free agent); Heath Hembree (free agent); RHP Garrett Cleavinger (traded to Dodgers).
l WHO REMAINS?: RHP Hector Neris, RHP David Phelps, LHP JoJo Romero, RHP Connor Brogdon, RHP Ramon Rosso
l WHO CAN HELP LATER?: LHP Ranger Suarez; LHP Kyle Dohy