The Atlanta Braves pulled off a surprise player acquisition with the unannounced signing of relief pitcher Evan Phillips. While much of the team’s offseason focus has centered on potential rotation additions or a new bat, fortifying the bullpen became a key priority.
Bullpen Outlook and Prior Investments
With Raisel Iglesias currently a free agent, his return to re-form a late-game duo with Robert Suarez remains uncertain. If Iglesias returns, he will join another high-leverage arm in the bullpen. Alongside Dylan Lee, Evan Phillips, and Robert Suarez, the team features depth pieces like Dylan Dodd, Ray Kerr, and Reynaldo López. While bullpen volatility and injuries are constant factors, the addition of Phillips puts Atlanta in a strong position heading into the 2027 season.
General manager Alex Anthopoulos has established a clear pattern of spending heavily on high-leverage relievers, previously targeting players like Kenley Jansen, Aaron Bummer, Reynaldo López, and Robert Suarez. The Braves have consistently maintained a competitive bullpen since 2018, finishing inside the top 16 in relief pitcher fWAR in seven of the past nine seasons.
Injury History and Contract Details
The primary concern surrounding Phillips involves the various ailments, headlined by Tommy John surgery in 2025, that caused him to miss most of the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Despite these injuries, he maintained a strong velocity in 2026, throwing his fastball at 97 mph, which ranked in the 85th percentile. He also posted a 31.1 percent strikeout rate and a 5.7 percent walk rate.
His sweeper reached 86 mph, his cutter hit 93 mph, and his rarely-used sinker touched 97 mph, all well above average for right-handers. These velocity numbers indicate his stuff has returned to pre-injury levels. While outlets like MLB Trade Rumors and NBC Sports projected two-year deals ranging from $20 million to $24 million, the Braves ultimately committed to a three-year agreement.
Although a three-year commitment carries inherent risks for a player entering his age-32 season after two years of injuries, Phillips attracted significant market interest. If he remains healthy, Phillips provides a reliable high-leverage option and a potential closing option for the late innings, securing a strong setup and closer combination for the Braves.
