Phillies Bullpen Shake-Up: Can a $12.5 Million Investment Find Its Footing?
The Phillies’ bullpen, a unit often scrutinized for its depth and reliability, finds itself at a critical juncture. With José Alvarado’s return after an 80-game suspension, the team boasts its most formidable collection of high-leverage arms this season. Yet, the story of this bullpen transformation is inextricably linked to the struggles of one key offseason addition, Jordan Romano, whose erratic performance has created a palpable air of uncertainty.
The Rocky Road for Romano
Jordan Romano, acquired in the offseason alongside Joe Ross with a significant $12.5 million investment, has become a perplexing figure in the Phillies’ relief corps. Once an All-Star in 2022 and 2023, Romano is now grappling with a 7.56 ERA, a far cry from his previous dominant form. His outings have become unpredictable, marked by a concerning lack of consistency in both his fastball velocity and slider effectiveness. This inconsistency has led to moments of public frustration, including being booed after surrendering a crucial home run that forced the use of another reliever in a critical situation.
Manager Rob Thomson acknowledges the challenge: “He either shuts people down or he gives up two or three runs,” Thomson stated. “It just seems like it’s been one of those years. But it’s still good stuff. He gets swings and misses when he’s on.” Despite flashes of his former self, the overarching issue remains: Romano’s inability to consistently execute pitches, a trait paramount for any high-leverage reliever.
Romano himself admits the struggle, noting, “I haven’t been consistent at all with either my fastball or my slider. That’s like the biggest thing, right? As a reliever, when you go in the game, you want to be consistent. And I haven’t been.” His fastball, which averaged 96.7 mph in 2023, has seen a noticeable dip, with only one pitch exceeding 97 mph in the last 45 days. The elbow impingement that sidelined him for much of 2024 has clearly left its mark, and he’s been in a continuous search for his lost command.
Alvarado’s Return: A Shot in the Arm, But With a Caveat
The return of José Alvarado, serving his suspension for an unapproved weight-loss supplement, injects a much-needed dose of talent and energy into the bullpen. His presence shores up the late innings, but his ineligibility for the postseason due to the length of his suspension means his contributions will be finite, focusing on the final six weeks of the regular season. Alvarado, pitching for a significant club option in 2026, is determined to prove that his performance was not impacted by the substance.
“It’s hard, man. It’s hard because I know I want to be there [in the postseason],” Alvarado shared. “But that happened. And I’m here to try to do my best. Put everything I can into helping the team win a lot of games.” His return is a significant boost, but it also highlights the Phillies’ reliance on proven talent over the uncertainty of reclamation projects.
Navigating the Bullpen Congestion
With Alvarado back, the Phillies now have six legitimate high-leverage options, creating a competitive environment within the relief corps. Jhoan Duran remains the closer, with Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm serving as the primary setup men. David Robertson and Tanner Banks are trusted in middle relief roles, while Joe Ross is designated as the long reliever. This leaves Romano in a precarious position, effectively the seventh reliever, with little room for further struggles.
The manager’s dilemma is evident. “Well, I can’t tell what he’s going to have coming out of the pen,” Thomson admitted. “Not until he gets out on the mound.” This unpredictability makes Romano a liability, forcing the team to manage his workload cautiously, prioritizing rest to maximize his potential effectiveness. The question looms: how much longer can the Phillies afford to carry a reliever whose performance is a coin flip?
The limited minor-league options for key bullpen pieces like Kerkering and Banks also factor into the equation. Tanner Banks, in particular, has been a consistent performer and might find himself pitching in less favorable situations to accommodate others. The upcoming September 1st roster expansion could provide further reinforcements, but the team’s overall lack of offseason depth has been exposed.
The Broader Implications: Offseason Strategy and Future Outlook
The situation with Romano and the bullpen’s depth underscores a potential miscalculation in the Phillies’ offseason strategy. The reliance on a few key acquisitions rather than building broader depth has left them vulnerable. Numerous waiver claims and minor trades for minor-league relievers have yielded limited success, highlighting the difficulty in finding reliable arms on the periphery.
Historically, President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski has shown a willingness to cut ties with underperforming or expensive players, a trend observed with past departures like Didi Gregorius and Whit Merrifield. While Romano’s significant contract and track record offer a different dynamic, his current performance makes him difficult to justify over more cost-effective options like Max Lazar, who, despite not being perfect, showed promise and threw with increased velocity.
Even with the addition of Seth Johnson or a veteran like Lou Trivino potentially joining the mix, the overarching challenge remains. The Phillies must contend with Alvarado’s postseason absence and the imperative to preserve bullpen arms for a deep playoff run. For Romano, the path back to trust involves a significant improvement in his command and consistency, particularly with his fastball and slider. The pressure is immense, both for his own performance and for the team’s ultimate success.
Romano’s personal reflection captures the internal struggle: “It’s extremely frustrating, but in a weird sense, it’s motivating,” he stated. “Just wanting to really figure it out and get back to who I am as a pitcher.” His journey is a microcosm of the bullpen’s broader quest for stability and reliability as the crucial postseason push approaches.
What are your predictions for the Phillies’ bullpen in the coming weeks? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
