Phillies Eyeing Veteran Closer to Solidify Bullpen Amid Alvarado Suspension
The Philadelphia Phillies have faced considerable challenges closing out games in the 2025 season. A major blow came early when their primary closer, José Alvarado, was handed an 80-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, just 20 games into the campaign. To make matters worse, the suspension also disqualifies him from participating in the postseason, leaving a major void at the back of Philadelphia’s bullpen.
Alvarado had become a cornerstone for the Phillies in recent years, tallying 23 saves over two seasons and posting an impressive 1.74 ERA in 2023. His sudden absence has created instability in the team’s relief corps, and management has struggled to find a dependable replacement.
So far in 2025, six different pitchers have recorded saves for the Phillies, highlighting the ongoing search for a reliable closer. Alvarado, before his suspension, notched seven saves, while Jordan Romano has technically led the team with eight saves on ten chances. However, Romano has been inconsistent, compiling a rough 7.40 ERA, and has not been trusted with a save opportunity since May, suggesting a lack of confidence from manager Rob Thomson.
Other bullpen arms like Matt Strahm, Taijuan Walker, and Tanner Banks have been tested in save situations but haven’t provided the consistency needed to shut the door in close games. While each of these pitchers has posted ERAs in the 3.60 range, they have collectively converted just four saves out of nine chances — far from ideal for a team with playoff aspirations.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Phillies are reportedly exploring external options to reinforce the back end of their bullpen. One prominent name being linked to Philadelphia is veteran reliever Aroldis Chapman, a seasoned left-hander with extensive postseason experience and a dominant track record.
Chapman, a two-time World Series champion and seven-time All-Star, has experienced a career resurgence in 2025 with the Boston Red Sox. Now 37 years old, Chapman has revitalized his game, racking up 11 saves this season and showing flashes of the dominance that made him one of the most feared closers in the league during his time with the New York Yankees.
Though he bounced between teams after his Yankees tenure, the Red Sox took a chance on Chapman, and it’s paid off significantly. With his high-velocity fastball and late-inning experience, Chapman could offer the Phillies a proven, trustworthy option in the ninth inning — something they’ve sorely missed since Alvarado’s departure.
Adding Chapman would not only stabilize Philadelphia’s bullpen but also allow current relievers to return to roles where they’ve previously succeeded. Relievers like Strahm, Walker, and Banks could handle middle and setup innings without the pressure of closing, ultimately strengthening the bullpen’s overall structure.
With the Phillies looking to build on their recent postseason success and make another deep playoff run, acquiring a veteran like Chapman could be the key piece that pushes them over the top.
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