Should the Philadelphia Phillies make a run at closer Alex Colome?

Should the Philadelphia Phillies splash on veteran closer Alex Colome?

It’s no secret that the Philadelphia Phillies will be looking for some bullpen help this offseason. The question is, how will they go about it? They could look to save money, and turn things over to a shaky group of youngsters down in the minor leagues. They could take a “Moneyball” style approach to their pen’, and sign multiple “bounce back” candidates for low cost. Or they could splurge, and invest tens of millions into a completely revamped reliever room.

If they go with the latter, veteran closer Alex Colome will likely be at the top of their radar.

Colome has been one of the best closers in all of baseball the last couple of seasons. He was an All-Star with the Rays in 2016, and then led the MLB in total saves the following year (47). After a brief stint with the Mariners in 2018, Colome was traded to the Chicago White Sox where he continued building an impressive resume. Across 83 games with the team in 2019 and 2020, Colome has recorded 42 saves, an ERA of 2.27, and a WHIP of 1.032.

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While it was obviously a shortened season, Colome’s 0.82 ERA and 0.940 WHIP that he posted in 2020 were career bests by a considerable margin. Prettyyy good.

Colome was actually a free agent last offseason, but opted to remain in Chicago by lieu of a one-year contract. He was handsomely compensated, receiving a deal worth just north of $10 million. That sets a lofty precedent for what he’s worth on the open market, and he’ll likely look for an even bigger payday this winter after his dominant 2020 campaign.

Colome did struggle with some back spasms at times, but that in all honesty shouldn’t hinder teams’ interest in him during free agency.

If the Philadelphia Phillies due opt to pursue Colome, it will likely require a pretty sizable financial commitment. With that said, it would finally give Joe Girardi a legitimate All-Star caliber closer to rely on moving forward. The Phillies desperately tried to figure out their closer position this past year, rotating a handful of different guys in that ninth inning spot, but they just couldn’t find someone to stick. Adding someone of Colome’s caliber would solve that issue quite emphatically.

With all that said, Colome turns 32 this December, and that could be something that scares the Phils away. The team has gotten burned pretty hard by veteran relievers in the past (David Robeterson, Brandon Workman, Heath Hembree). Colome is obviously better than said players, but you never know when “Father Time” is going to decide to catch up with a player.

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As much as Colome could aid the Phillies bullpen woes, I don’t believe he projects to be a realistic option for the team in free agency. Owner John Middleton has already made it public that he wants to cut payroll this offseason, and Colome would cost a pretty penny to acquire. It’s not what fans of the team want to hear, but it’s likely the brutal reality.

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