The Philadelphia Phillies have recently suffered two significant setbacks that could jeopardize their hold on a National League Wild Card spot. First, starter Aaron Nola landed on the injured list with an ankle issue, continuing his pattern of inconsistency in odd-numbered years. Then, closer José Alvarado was hit with an 80-game suspension for a PED violation.
With a strong 28-18 record and second place in a competitive NL East, the Phillies are likely to be nursing plenty of late-inning leads this summer. To maintain those leads, they’ll need to bolster their bullpen particularly if current reliever Jordan Romano, who owns a bloated 7.27 ERA in 2025, can’t regain his previous All-Star form.
Even though the trade deadline is still a few months away, Philadelphia may want to act early in pursuing a dependable closer. Here are three potential targets:
1. Devin Williams New York Yankees
Though not an ideal solution given his rough season, Williams still brings an elite résumé. While his 7.80 ERA through 15 innings is concerning, his underlying metrics suggest he’s still effective. His fastball velocity is down, and hitters have had more success against his changeup, but he’s generating swings and misses at a 31.5% rate and ranks in the 92nd percentile for limiting hard contact.
Williams has recently shown signs of turning things around, with four consecutive scoreless outings. As a rental with declining performance in New York, the cost to acquire him should be low. If the Phillies trust his advanced stats — including a 3.17 FIP a trade back to the National League could rejuvenate his game.
2. Mason Miller Oakland Athletics
Miller’s 4.50 ERA masks his actual dominance. Removing one bad outing against the Marlins on May 3 would drop that ERA to 1.69. He’s been electric, striking out nearly half (47%) of opposing hitters, and his fastball ranks in the top percentile of MLB velocity.
However, his upside comes with a steep price. Miller isn’t even arbitration-eligible yet, meaning he’s under team control and likely off-limits unless Oakland commits to selling at the deadline. If the A’s are willing to deal him, the Phillies would have to part with at least one top-tier prospect. He’s easily the most impactful long-term option but potentially the most expensive.
3. Ryan Pressly Chicago Cubs
Pressly would be the most affordable acquisition in terms of trade cost. With 116 career saves, the 36-year-old has the experience to anchor a contender’s bullpen. That said, his effectiveness has waned.
Pressly’s velocity is down to a career-low 93.1 mph, and apart from inducing grounders, his metrics are largely below league average. Removing his disastrous outing on May 6 when he gave up eight runs without recording an out drops his ERA to 1.65, but his 4.86 FIP suggests deeper concerns.
He’d be a short-term fix for Alvarado, but probably not enough if the Phillies are aiming to stay competitive all summer.
Bottom Line:
The Phillies have some intriguing bullpen options to explore. Devin Williams offers a low-risk gamble with potential upside, Mason Miller represents a high-reward but costly play, and Ryan Pressly is a safe, inexpensive stopgap. Much depends on how aggressive the front office wants to be in its pursuit of a reliable closer.
