The Phillies made waves on their 40-man roster on Monday, clearing five spots by outrighting right-handers Yunior Marte, Luis Ortiz, and Freddy Tarnok, along with lefty Kolby Allard and infielder Rodolfo Castro. All five passed through waivers and elected free agency, with Allard, notably, avoiding arbitration eligibility.
In a trio of moves, the Phillies quickly filled three of those spots by adding right-handed pitchers. They acquired Devin Sweet in a cash deal from the Tigers, claimed John McMillon off waivers from the Marlins, and selected the contract of Alan Rangel.
Sweet, 28, brings swing-and-miss stuff. He punched out 111 batters over 76 innings in Triple-A Toledo this past season, flashing potential in high leverage roles despite a rough big-league stint with Seattle and Oakland in 2023. McMillon, 26, has shown glimpses of major-league success. In limited appearances across two seasons with the Royals and Marlins, he posted a 1.69 ERA, fanning 21 over 16 innings in low-pressure roles. Rangel, 27, joined the Phillies on a minor-league deal last July and posted double-digit strikeout totals in 10 appearances with Lehigh Valley, though his high ERA remained an area to improve after coming up through the Braves’ system.
These moves leave the Phillies with 37 players on their 40-man roster, providing flexibility for acquisitions or Rule 5 draft protection.
High-potential pitchers like Mick Abel and Moises Chace are likely to be added soon. Abel, the 2020 first-round pick, still faces control issues but remains a prized arm the Phillies are committed to developing. Meanwhile, Chace, acquired from Baltimore at the trade deadline, impressed with 124 strikeouts over 80⅓ innings between Single-A and Double-A last season.
As the November 19 deadline looms to protect Rule 5-eligible players, the Phillies also opted not to extend qualifying offers to free agents Jeff Hoffman and Spencer Turnbull—a practical decision given this year’s $21.05 million qualifying offer price tag. Hoffman has been a valuable bullpen piece, and while there’s interest in retaining him or Carlos Estévez (ineligible for a qualifying offer due to a late-season arrival), the Phillies aren’t expected to bring back both.
With 37 spots filled, the Phillies still have room to maneuver as they explore offseason upgrades while shoring up their bullpen and protecting their top prospects.
As the November 19 deadline looms to protect Rule 5-eligible players, the Phillies also opted not to extend qualifying offers to free agents Jeff Hoffman and Spencer Turnbull—a practical decision given this year’s $21.05 million qualifying offer price tag. Hoffman has been a valuable bullpen piece, and while there’s interest in retaining him or Carlos Estévez (ineligible for a qualifying offer due to a late-season arrival), the Phillies aren’t expected to bring back both.
With 37 spots filled, the Phillies still have room to maneuver as they explore offseason upgrades while shoring up their bullpen and protecting their top prospects.
