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3 bullpen pieces the Phillies could still add after losing out on Darren O’Day

By David Esser

Sep 27, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Tyler Clippard (36) throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Tyler Clippard (36) throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia Phillies Mark Melancon
Oct 6, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Mark Melancon (36) delivers a pitch in the 9th inning against the Miami Marlins during game one of the 2020 NLDS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Mark Melancon

With the Atlanta Braves still doing their best to scoop up one or two more relievers prior to Spring Training, the Phillies could kill two birds with one stone by poaching away Mark Melancon from them. One of the Braves more reliable bullpen pieces over the last two seasons, the veteran right-hander recorded a 3.30 ERA across 43.2 innings in 2019 and 2020.

Similar to the previous two names I highlighted, Melancon is creeping up there in age, as he’s set to turn 36 in exactly two months. However, he’s coming off a very productive 2020 campaign, one where he posted a 2.78 ERA across 23 games for Atlanta. He also pitched 6.1 scoreless innings in the postseason.

It’s unclear just how much Melancon has left in the tank, but of the arms still currently available, he has one of the better resumes. He’s kept his ERA under 4.00 since the 2017 season, and he obviously got a good chunk of October experience under his belt since joining the Braves.

Melancon recorded 22 saves for Atlanta upon being acquired in 2019, so he could be a realistic option at closer for the Phillies moving forward. Or, similar to Romo, he could be a savvy veteran to keep in the setup role behind the recently acquired Bradley.

Phillies have a tough decision to make with Didi Gregorius. dark. Next

Whatever route the Phillies end up going, it does ultimately feel like they’ll add at least one more free agent reliever. They’ve been connected to too many names recently for a move to not happen. Once the shortstop situation is wrapped up, I’d expect them to close in on a veteran bullpen piece, or two.

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