The Phillies need late-inning stability. These three elite, controllable relievers are realistic mid-season targets who could solidify the ninth inning and fuel a deep postseason run.
The Phillies are locked in a fierce NL East chase and realistic World Series contenders, yet their bullpen remains vulnerable.
With lefty José Alvarado barred from postseason action and late-game leads slipping, Dave Dombrowski is expected to target impact relievers before the July 31 deadline. Below are three top options, two power righties and one shutdown lefty, each capable of anchoring Philadelphia’s bullpen into October.
Félix Bautista (RHP, Baltimore Orioles)
The Orioles’ flamethrower is among the most coveted late-inning arms available. In 2025, Bautista posted a 2.41 ERA with 18 saves and a staggering 12.8 K/9, backed by firm control through 2027. His sinker-splitter-slider combination overwhelms batters, making him a high-leverage nightmare in tight postseason matchups.
Likely Philadelphia trade package:
Top-10 pitching prospect + mid-level position-player prospect
Why it works: One dominant closer, plus cost control for two-plus years.
Felix Bautista is BACK 🔥
Since June 1st:
13 IP
0.69 ERA
2.01 FIP
7 SV
44.7% K%
.071 BAA (!)He’s averaging 97.5 MPH on his fastball. This 2 MPH decrease compared to 2023 results in a 12% difference in Whiff%.
Still one of the best relievers in the game.#BirdLand pic.twitter.com/zLfmFY3KWP
— LouisAnalysis (@LouisAnalysis) July 7, 2025
Griffin Jax (RHP, Minnesota Twins)
A former starter turned dominant setup man, Jax currently ranks in the top 1% in whiff rate (37.9%) with a 3.83 ERA and 67 strikeouts across 42 innings. While he’s not a closer in Minnesota, he would be a massive addition to the Phillies’ bullpen. He’s under team control beyond 2025 and comes with a modest arbitration salary (~$2.3M). Jax gives Philly another premium, high-leverage right-handed pitcher without the blockbuster price tag.
Likely Philadelphia trade package:
Lower-tier organizational SP prospect + single mid-level cup-of-coffee bat
Why it works: Affordable, controllable, and immediately impactful.
Roughly 1 in every 900 pitches ends in a batted ball with a launch angle of –69°.
Griffin Jax managed it on three straight pitches.
Back-to-back-to-back.
Nice, nice, nice.The odds of that happening?
1 in 721 million. pic.twitter.com/5mbH6YD9dh
— Chris Langin (@LanginTots13) July 8, 2025
Emmanuel Clase (RHP, Cleveland Guardians)
Although not cited in the CBS article, a treasurer’s opinion from Bleacher Report paints Clase as a “most realistic” elite closer option. Coming off a 0.61 ERA and 47 saves in 2024, and with control through 2028, Clase delivers elite cutter velocity and late-game dominance.
Likely Philadelphia trade package:
Top-20 pitching prospect + upper-level position bat
Why it works: Multi-year elite closer, ideal for playoff-wide aspirations.
Emmanuel Clase coming out to “Wild Thing” is just perfect 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Vcp54B4cZu
— Baseball’s Greatest Moments (@BBGreatMoments) July 4, 2025
Possible Trade Packages
| Closer | From | Sample Package | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Félix Bautista | Orioles | Top‑10 SP prospect + 2nd‑tier bat prospect |
Instant dominant closer, control through 2027, high-leverage impact |
| Griffin Jax | Twins | Low‑A reliever prospect + bench bat |
Affordable, controllable setup arm, manageable upside |
| Emmanuel Clase | Guardians | Top‑20 pitching prospect + high‑ceil position prospect |
Multi-year premium closer, elite command, and velocity |
Bautista, Jax, and Clase represent innovative, high-impact additions. Bautista brings power and multi-year control; Jax offers affordability and immediate setup help; Clase gives Philly a surefire closer for years to come. With the Phillies’ rotation stabilized, upgrading the back-end bullpen could be the final piece in crafting a World Series-ready team.
