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3 Philadelphia Phillies Free Agents Who Won’t Return and Why After the NLDS Collapse
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3 Philadelphia Phillies Free Agents Who Won’t Return and Why After the NLDS Collapse

The Philadelphia Phillies had incredibly high expectations heading into the 2024 playoffs. For the first time since 2011, the Phillies won the NL East, ending a streak of eight consecutive Braves division titles. They broke the record for the most pitchers selected to a single All-Star Game and led MLB in overall All-Star selections for the season. Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler and company were ready to lead the team to the World Series.

But a swing of the bat from Francisco Lindor brought the entire season to a screeching halt. Lindor hit a grand slam in Game 4 of the NLDS that would quickly end the Phillies’ season.

Heading into the offseason, Philadelphia’s front office could make some changes. The Phillies have three future free agents and there’s a chance none of them will be back next year.

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The first player on this list is a bit more obvious than the next two. The first player on this list missed most of last year with a right side strain, demonstrating that he’s not exactly an integral part of the Phillies’ success. The Phillies are capable of winning without him and they will be able to replace him and win without him next year.

That’s right-handed reliever Spencer Turnbull, who is set to enter unrestricted free agency after spending the second half of the 2024 season on the IL.


That year, Turnbull made 17 appearances and seven starts, totaling 54.1 innings. The right-hander recorded a career-high K/9 with 9.6 and a career-low H/9 with 6.1. He was a solid part of the team when healthy.

But Turnbull doesn’t have a sustained track record of that type of success, having posted a 4.55 ERA over his first five MLB seasons. He can be expected to regress from the pitcher who had a two-ERA all season and for that reason, the Phillies will be comfortable letting him walk. He’s not a bad pitcher, but the Phillies will be looking for a better piece for their lineup.

The Phillies bullpen has been very good all season long. One of the best pieces in this bullpen has been veteran right-hander Jeff Hoffman.

Hoffman, 31, played in 122 games over two seasons with the Phillies. In those two years, he held a 2.28 ERA, 2.54 FIP, and 0.94 WHIP. He has been incredibly consistent and reliable in the toughest situations for Rob Thomson and the Phillies. The veteran was named to his first All-Star Game in 2024.

But Hoffman is set to become a free agent this year, and given his excellent performance over the past two years, he may have played himself above the price range available to the Phillies.

Now, I want to preface that I believe the Phillies should prioritize Hoffman this offseason. He’s been incredible for them and they should definitely try to bring him back this winter. But he has played so well that Philadelphia will struggle to pay his market value while adding to its outfield and starting rotation. There’s a chance Hoffman remains a Phillie next year, but he might also have played outside of their price range.

Carlos Estevez was brought to Philadelphia at the trade deadline this season. He came from the Los Angeles Angels and provided the Phillies with a steady flamethrower in the back of their bullpen.

Estevez regularly hits 100 MPH with his fastball, and he has shown the ability to be quite difficult to face. But it was him who threw the pitch to Lindor that ended the team’s season.

Other than that throw, Estevez was great. He likely signed a relatively large contract this offseason. He has no loyalty to the Phillies and I would expect to see him land with the team that gives him the most money. Considering all the holes Philly is going to fill this offseason, they may not have the money to overpay for him.

For starters, I think the Phillies should try to bring him back. Estevez is a great arm and he would be a good fit for them. But Estevez is likely to land with the highest bidder and after allowing the homer that ended their season, some fans might not even want to see him again.