Phillies president drops major hint on $9.5M reliever’s future

The Philadelphia Phillies’ turbulent bullpen was a major storyline this season, and left-hander José Alvarado played a major role in the drama.

Alvarado, who briefly held the closer job early in the season, was suspended for 80 games in May after testing positive for a banned substance. That also made him ineligible to pitch in the postseason, where the Phillies were eventually eliminated on a throwing error by another relief pitcher.

When he’s been available, Alvarado has been one of the more reliable arms the Phillies have had during their string of winning seasons. But he undoubtedly lost some trust with the organization, and that had to weigh heavy on the minds of all parties involved as a decision approaches on his future with the club.

Alvarado could hit free agency this winter, but the Phillies have a $9.5 million club option to retain him for next season. It once seemed obvious that the option would be picked up, but the suspension, plus the fact that Alvarado finished the regular season on the injured list, created some doubt.

However, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski erased some of that doubt on Thursday when he said during the Phillies’ season-ending press conference that he believed Alvarado would be back with the club next year.

“I’d be surprised without making any announcements that Alvarado’s not back with us,” Dombrowski said, per the Phillies Tailgate X account, which transcribed several of the exec’s quotes for social media. “But we’ll see what ends up happening.”

Alvarado struggled after returning from his suspension, posting a 7.50 ERA in his final eight appearances of the year. He looked good early in the season, however, with a 2.70 ERA and seven saves in 20 outings before the suspension.

In his Phillies career, Alvarado sports a 3.48 ERA and 3.36 FIP in 259 appearances, striking out 308 batters in 235 2/3 innings. He’s had his ups and downs in the playoffs, posting a 4.50 ERA in 21 appearances and giving up the home run to Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros that ultimately decided the 2022 World Series.

Whether the Phillies wind up picking up that club option or negotiating a new deal, they have some leverage over Alvarado because of his suspension. But declining that option would perhaps create more danger of him seeking a fresh start elsewhere.

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