The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly a strong contender to sign All-Star closer Clay Holmes in free agency this offseason. Holmes, who has been one of the premier relievers in baseball, would bring stability and dominance to the back end of the Phillies’ bullpen—a position they’ve historically sought to improve.
Known for his elite sinker and ground-ball-inducing abilities, Holmes could complement an already talented pitching staff and help solidify the Phillies as a powerhouse in the National League. His addition would bolster a bullpen that has shown flashes of brilliance but has lacked consistent shutdown performances in high-leverage situations.
If the prediction holds true, Holmes could be a game-changing acquisition for Philadelphia as they aim to build on their recent playoff success and contend for a World Series title.
Phillies could add Clay Holmes to headline bullpen
The Phillies appear poised to address their bullpen ahead of the 2025 season, with an eye on upgrading the closer role. While the trio of Jose Alvarado (21 games finished), Jeff Hoffman (21 games finished), and Carlos Estevez (18 games finished) shared closing duties in 2024, FOX 43’s Cale Ahearn has predicted the team will sign Clay Holmes to a three-year, $35 million contract, as reported by Jackson Roberts of The Sporting News.
Ahearn cited Holmes’ track record of consistency despite a slightly uneven 2024 campaign:
“Even after re-signing Jeff Hoffman, I believe the Phillies will seek to add an additional late-game option after seeing the bullpen falter during the past two postseasons. While Holmes wasn’t at his best throughout all of 2024, he has been one of the most consistent relievers in baseball over the past three years. I believe he would get the majority of the save opportunities in Philadelphia.”
Holmes’ elite ground-ball rate and ability to handle high-leverage situations could make him a key piece for a Phillies team looking to solidify its bullpen for deep postseason runs. With the addition of Holmes, Philadelphia would have a more defined closer while maintaining flexibility with Alvarado, Hoffman, and Estevez in setup roles.
Phillies: Holmes showed room for improvement in 2024
Despite some regression in 2024, Clay Holmes remains a sought-after option for teams in need of a reliable closer. The Alabama native posted a 3.14 ERA, slightly higher than his sub-3.00 levels in the two previous seasons, and his WHIP rose to 1.302. Holmes also struggled in key moments, leading the league with 13 blown saves. However, his reputation as a dependable late-game arm remains intact.
Over the past three seasons, Holmes has notched 74 saves and averaged a solid 3.9 WAR, earning him recognition as one of the best finishers in MLB. While his 2024 campaign had some blemishes, he still secured an All-Star nod, a testament to his overall body of work.
Holmes’ postseason pedigree further underscores his value. Prior to the 2024 ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, he had an unblemished ERA and a sub-1.00 WHIP across four consecutive playoff series. He regained that form during the 2024 World Series, delivering clutch performances when it mattered most.
If the Phillies sign Holmes, his postseason reliability and history of success could address their ninth-inning needs and solidify their bullpen for both the regular season and October.
Holmes would boost Phillies’ ninth-inning role
Given the Phillies’ need for a dependable closer, Clay Holmes stands out as an ideal candidate despite his 2024 struggles. Philadelphia relied on a closer-by-committee approach last season, with Jose Alvarado leading the team with just 13 saves, followed by Jeff Hoffman with 10. However, neither established themselves as dominant ninth-inning options:
- Alvarado posted a shaky 4.09 ERA, raising concerns about his reliability in high-leverage situations.
- Hoffman, while effective in limited opportunities, may still lack the experience and consistency needed to permanently anchor the role.
- Carlos Estevez, who has a track record of accumulating saves, doesn’t match Holmes’ historical efficiency or postseason success.
Holmes’ combination of postseason pedigree, late-game poise, and overall track record over the past three seasons makes him a prime candidate to fortify the Phillies’ bullpen. While his 2024 season had blemishes, including a league-high 13 blown saves, his ability to perform on the biggest stages and his consistent WAR production make him an attractive solution for Philadelphia’s ninth-inning uncertainty.
A potential three-year, $35 million deal, as predicted, could provide the Phillies with the stability they’ve been lacking at the back end of their bullpen, setting them up for more success in 2025 and beyond.
