The Philadelphia Phillies’ top offseason priorities should be either an outfielder or a powerful bat to add variety to their lineup, but if not, securing a game-changing closer is essential.
He named perfect pairing for Phillies
A standout talent likely destined for the Baseball Hall of Fame still has enough in the tank to help lead the Phillies to a World Series title in 2025. Just Baseball’s Leo Morgenstern suggested free agent as a potential fit for Philadelphia, as noted by Jackson Roberts of The Sporting News:
“After losing Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez to free agency, it’s no secret the Phillies are in the market for another late-inning reliever this offseason, preferably a right-hander,” Morgenstern explained.
“While many fans are hoping for Hoffman’s return, He is another realistic option worth considering. POBO Dave Dombrowski has a track record of targeting ‘saves guys’—think Estévez, Craig Kimbrel, David Robertson—and manager Rob Thomson prefers having a defined closer, even if he doesn’t openly acknowledge it.”
Phillies: Jansen is an all-time great saves artist to consider
Jansen has been one of the elite ninth-inning specialists for most of his career. The two-time National League Reliever of the Year boasts a career 2.57 ERA, a league-leading 477 saves among active closers, and an impressive 0.963 WHIP.
In 2024, the Curacao-born closer recorded a 3.29 ERA and secured 27 saves for the Boston Red Sox. Known for his high volume and reliability, Jansen remains one of the most dependable closers in MLB for finishing games.
Jansen’s experience & talent could trump age & pricetag
With Hoffman (10 saves) and Estevez — who notched six saves in 20 games with Philadelphia following his July 30 arrival via trade from the Angels — potentially departing in free agency, the Phillies could be left with only José Alvarado for late-inning relief. This highlights the team’s need for someone like Jansen.
The 2020 World Series champion will be 38 by the conclusion of the 2025 season, and his age, coupled with the two-year, $32 million contract he’s finishing, might be concerns for the Phillies. Even so, his track record suggests he could bring valuable championship experience to Philadelphia’s clubhouse and deliver in high-stakes playoff moments.
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