Obviously, the Nationals will be on the prowl for outside relief help this offseason. We have discussed the idea of signing a big name reliever such as Adrian Morejon. However, I am not convinced that the Nats will be able to outbid teams for Morejon. With that in mind, I think Evan Phillips is a more realistic target.
Despite being on the Dodgers for many years, and even being their closer at points, Phillips has never gotten much recognition. He has posted a 2.36 ERA in 232 appearances for the best
team in baseball, yet has remained anonymous. At 32 years old, Phillips is hitting free agency after showing his stuff was better than ever coming off Tommy John Surgery.
Between 2022 and 2024, Phillips made at least 60 appearances each season. However, he went down after just 7 outings in 2025. He did not come back until July, but when he returned, he was a big part of the Dodgers bullpen. Phillips posted a 3.46 ERA while striking out 31.1% of hitters and only walking 5.7%. He was also throwing harder than he was before surgery, and even threw the fastest pitch of his career.
In 2024, Phillips averaged 96.2 MPH on his 4-seamer and 85 MPH on his sweeper. This season, he averaged 96.9 on the heater and 86.2 on the sweeper. His stuff and location metrics were both absolutely elite. Phillips did have some home run problems, but that was not an issue in the past, so I am not that worried.
I think the Dodgers will have some interest in bringing him back, but they already have a strong bullpen. In my opinion, the Dodgers will bring back one of Phillips or Alex Vesia. With the Dodgers, they could always just flex their muscles and get both, but the Nats should try and go after Phillips.
Spencer Nusbaum wrote a piece yesterday about relievers the Nats should consider. Phillips was at the top of the list, and after reading his breakdown, he is my favorite name as well. He has the best combination of stuff, track record, relative youth and closing experience. If the Nats went into 2027 with Phillips as the closer, I would be comfortable.
In his career, Phillips has 47 career saves, most of which came in 2023 and 2024. If Phillips wants to be a closer moving forward, getting out of LA would be the best path to do so. I can’t see him getting save chances over the likes of Edwin Diaz and Tanner Scott. However, in DC, the role would be all his.
The price would not be cheap, but he would not cost as much as Morejon or David Bednar. I think a deal in the 3-year $40 million range would get it done. That sounds like a lot, but would you rather spend that money on a high end reliever or a number 4 starter? Most Nats fans would probably go with the closer after last season.
With his elite fastball/sweeper duo, Phillips is elite against right handed hitters. The stuff is also good enough to play against lefties too. Phillips will also feature his cutter more against left handed hitters.
As a cherry on top, Phillips has an elite playoff pedigree. In 17 career postseason outings, Phillips has not allowed a run in 18.1 innings. This October, Phillips was a big part of the Dodgers bullpen, and did not allow a run in 5 outings. He has proven that he is built for the big moments.
Evan Phillips gets a bit lost in the shuffle when discussing free agent relievers, but the more I dive into his profile, the more I like him. Paul Toboni should be on the phone with his representation, trying to get something done. He is not the biggest name, but don’t get it twisted, this would be a statement signing.
Outside of the Tommy John, there is not much to dislike about his resume. Even that injury is not a huge worry for me, given the fact his stuff looked better than ever when he came back.
If the Nats do end up making a bullpen splash, Phillips checks a ton of boxes. He has closing experience, the stuff models love him, he gets a lot of strikeouts while not walking people and he knows what it is like to win. The more I dive into this story, the more I want Evan Phillips to be the Nats closer in 2027.
