Philadelphia Phillies: Brandon Workman should be the new closer

Brandon Workman gives the Philadelphia Phillies a reliable closer.

As of Friday afternoon, the Philadelphia Phillies have finally addressed the terminal illness that has been plaguing their organization as of late: their bullpen.

Matt Klentak and the Phillies flipped 25 year old prospect Addison Russ for Yankees RHP David Hale, and then shipped over disgraced starter Nick Pivetta (along with prospect Connor Seabold) for a duo of Red Sox relievers. Both Heath Hembree and Brandon Workman instantly become go-to arms for Joe Girardi alongside Hale, but it’s Workman who really spiked my interest.

Workman has closer experience, and that’s pretty significant considering the state of the Phillies closing pitcher spot at the moment. Despite half the fanbase still hanging onto hope that Hector Neris will someday blossom into an All-Star caliber ninth inning guy comparable to that of Brad Lidge, the 31 year old righty has started off 2020 in disastrous fashion.

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Neris has already blown three saves in just five save opportunities. His save percentage ranks as the third worst in the National League, and his current 6.75 ERA is the worst of his career. Sure, we’re only 22 games through the regular season, but in a 60-game season, every single game matters. There’s no time to waste in terms of letting Neris “figure stuff out”.

Prior to Workman and company arriving via the trades, Girardi really had no-one else to turn to when it came to the bullpen. Jose Alvarez is out for the near future with a potential groin contusion (?), and young guys likes Ramon Rosso and Connor Brogdon have failed to leave an impressionable mark early on. Don’t even get me started on guys like Deolis Guerra and Cole Irvin.

With Workman now in the building, Girardi finally has someone else he can call upon during high-leverage situations.

Not only is Workman a six-year pro with 195 major league games under his belt, but he’s also a 2x World Series champion with a plethora of postseason experience. Almost no one on the Phillies current pitching staff has any sort of playoff run (nevertheless World Series experience), so having a tenured veteran who knows what it’s like to pitch in the big moments is huge in terms of leadership.

Workman operates with a four-seam fastball that sits around 93mph, a nasty knuckle-curve with 12-6 movement, and a cutter with some sinking action to it. He had a 1.88 ERA and a 1.033 WHIP for the Red Sox in 2019, and finished 30 games for them as well. When asked what role Workman would be operating in for the Phillies, Joe Girardi had this to say: “That’s something we have to talk about”.

Not exactly shutting the door on Workman closing games now was he?

Neris has a $7 million team-option for the 2021 season, and the Phillies would be absolute fools to pick that up. He’s been wildly inconsistent during his career in Philadelphia, and you could simply do so much better with $7 million. The Phillies are going to have to address their closer position sooner than later, might as well employ the better pitcher at the moment and see if he sticks.