According to a report from Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Philadelphia Phillies have “checked in” with free-agent relief pitchers Clay Holmes and Tommy Kahnle. The team seems to be showing interest in signing at least one of them. Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez are both free agents, meaning the Phillies have bullpen openings this offseason. Both Holmes and Kahnle spent the 2024 season with the New York Yankees. Gelb wrote the Phillies have had conversations with free-agent relief pitchers and about trade candidates. Beyond mentioning Holmes and Kahnle, Gelb did not name any other relievers from other teams with whom the Phillies have had conversations. Nor did he mention specific trade talks the Phillies have had with other teams regarding relievers.
It’s a long offseason. Resetting where the Phillies stand ahead of the winter meetings: https://t.co/hU6rZpjCec
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) December 5, 2024
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Gelb did say the Phillies want to re-sign Hoffman. However, Hoffman is being viewed as a reliever-to-starter candidate. His leaving would likely impact whether the Phillies choose to re-sign Estévez. Gelb did not indicate if the Phillies are still interested in keeping Estévez. Regardless, acquiring a high-leverage relief pitcher is an offseason priority for the Phillies. Based on what has been publicly reported, it is reasonable to believe both Hoffman and Estévez will leave in free agency. It is possible that the Phillies sign Holmes and Kahnle this offseason. Heading into the Winter Meetings, it is not entirely clear what the Phillies intend to do this offseason. With leaks from the organization rare, it is hard to anticipate what the Phillies will do until they actually do it.
Report: Phillies Showing Interest In Two Free Agent Relief Pitchers
In 67 games last season, Holmes had a 3-5 record with a 3.14 ERA and a 3.02 FIP with 30 saves. A 2024 All-Star, he recorded a 25.1% strikeout rate and an 8.1% walk rate. Holmes was relegated from the closer role after having 13 blown saves. The Phillies have previously been considered a fit for Holmes this offseason. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that some teams are interested in signing Holmes as a starting pitcher. Sherman specifically named the New York Mets as one of those teams. Gelb notes that if Holmes is receiving offers to be a starter, the Phillies are no longer a match. If the Phillies were to sign him, it should be for a setup role as opposed to closing. Holmes is entering his age-32 season in 2025.
In 50 games last season, Kahnle had a 0-2 record with a 2.11 ERA and a 4.01 FIP with one save. He also had a 25.7% strikeout rate and a 10.6% walk rate, recording 16 holds. Kahnle primarily throws a changeup, using other pitches sparingly. In 2024, he threw a changeup 73.1% of the time. Kahnle allowed a .492 OPS and 53 wRC+ against that pitch. His next most commonly used pitch last year was his fastball, throwing it 19.3% of the time. In each of the last five major league seasons Kahnle has played in, opposing batters have had a .200 batting average or worse against him. Kahnle is entering his age-35 season in 2o25 and would be a decent addition for the Phillies.
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