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Three free agent relievers the Philadelphia Phillies need to sign

By David Esser

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 28: Andrew Cashner #48 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after giving up four runs in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 28, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 28: Andrew Cashner #48 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after giving up four runs in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 28, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 21: Sam Tuivailala #26 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 21, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 21: Sam Tuivailala #26 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 21, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Sam Tuivailala

A surprise cut by the Seattle Mariners prior to the 2020 season, Sam Tuivailala has the track record and the experience to come in and immediately be a top arm in the Phillies bullpen.

Despite coming off a fantastic 2019 season (where he posted a 2.35 ERA across 23 innings), the Mariners opted to designate Tuivailala for release back in March. It was a strange move that was met with a ton of push back from Mariners fans, especially considering Tuivailala had posted a career-high K/9 rate of 10.9 with Seattle just last year.

There were rumors that Tuivailala was dealing with an injury during the offseason, as his fastball had reportedly dropped in velocity by a considerable amount. However, Tuivailala himself came out and publicly stated that he was healthy and fine, which pretty much cleared up those whispers.

Outside of his time with Seattle, Tuivailala has had a pretty above average career around the MLB as well. He boasts a career ERA of 3.33 across stints with two different teams (Cardinals were the other), and has finished 36 total games.

At just 27 years of age, the California native could prove to be a longterm option in the Phillies ‘pen. Just by glancing around at what the organization has been working with recently, it’s clear this bullpen issue isn’t going away anytime soon. The Philadelphia Phillies are going to 100% need new relief arms in 2021, and a guy like Tuivailala could stick on the roster if he impresses over the next 40ish games.

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