The Philadelphia Phillies are trending in the wrong direction. From losing the World Series in 2022, the NLCS in 2023, and the NLDS in 2024, it can be said that they need to make some major adjustments.

The Phillies only have three players that are going to be free agents at season’s end: Carlos Estevez, Jeff Hoffman, and Spencer Turnbull. While it’s highly unlikely that all three stay with the Phillies, President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski is going to need to find replacements for at least two of them.

All three pitchers have expressed that they would like to stay with the team, but contracts and payroll are going to play a big factor in the offseason.

Let’s explore a few different pitchers that the Phillies could target in free agency or trade.

LHP Tanner Scott, San Diego Padres

Tanner Scott has developed himself into one of the best relievers in the game. He started the season with the Miami Marlins and would then be traded to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline.

In 2024, Scott posted a 1.75 ERA and 22 saves in 72 appearances between the two clubs in the regular season. He would appear in five games and threw 4 1/3 innings for the Padres in the postseason, collecting seven strikeouts and giving up no runs.

At just 30 years old, Scott could be an appealing option for the Phillies bullpen should they let go of Estevez, Hoffman, or Turnbull. The Phillies bullpen struggled in the postseason, so Scott could help solidify things up.

The Phillies were linked to Scott at the trade deadline but ultimately decided to go with Estevez. He could be a bit pricey, but the Phillies could use a reliever like Scott as a setup man.

RHP Ryan Helsley, St. Louis Cardinals

The Phillies are a team that loves matchups. This means that they don’t have a solidified closer to close out games. Ryan Helsley could be an option to help do so.

The Phillies would have to trade for Helsley as he is currently on a one-year, $8.1M contract with the Cardinals. They may have to give up some coveted prospects, but the Phillies should be doing whatever they can to improve and win the big prize.

Helsley, in 2024, led the National League with 49 saves in 53 chances and posted a 2.10 ERA in 65 games. At 30 years old, he could be a good closer option for the Phillies if they are willing to give up the pieces necessary.

RHP Devin Williams, Milwaukee Brewers

Williams is another solid closer option for the Phillies who is also 30 years old. He signed a one-year, $7.25M deal with the Brewers in 2024 and has a club option for 2025.

Should Williams opt out of the deal, the Phillies should consider him for their closer spot in the bullpen. The postseason wasn’t kind to Williams as he threw 1 2/3 innings and only picked up one strikeout. Most notably, he gave up a three-run home run to Pete Alonso in Game 3 of the wild-card series against the New York Mets that sealed the game.

However, Williams had a very solid regular season in 2024. In 22 appearances, he posted a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 15.8 strikeouts per nine innings. He also converted 14 of 15 save opportunities and struck out 38 of the 88 batters he faced.

RHP Blake Treinen, Los Angeles Dodgers

Treinen will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025 which means he’ll be able to sign with any team after his contract with the Dodgers ends. This is a pitcher the Phillies should take a close look at.

In the 2024 regular season, Treinen appeared in 50 games and threw 46 2/3 innings. He posted a 1.93 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and recorded 56 strikeouts and one save. He’s having a very solid postseason with the Dodgers and will try to lead them to a World Series title.

Treinen is 36 years old, so the Phillies should be able to offer him a one- or two-year deal and not break the bank.