CLEARWATER, Fla. — So, who’s next?
The Phillies on Friday morning announced that they signed left-hander José Alvarado to a three-year contract extension with a 2026 club option. A source told MLB.com that Alvarado will be paid $3.45 million this season, $9 million in 2024 and $9 million in ’25, with a $9 million club option or a $500,000 buyout for ’26.
Alvarado could have become a free agent following this season.
The Phillies on Thursday announced a two-year contract extension for right-hander Seranthony Domínguez. It would not be surprising to see right-hander Aaron Nola get an extension this spring as well.
Alvarado, 27, was something of a reclamation project when the Phillies acquired him from Tampa Bay before the 2021 season. He threw hard, but he could not throw strikes. He had a 4.20 ERA in 64 appearances in ’21, striking out 68 and walking 47 in 55 2/3 innings. He posted a 7.62 ERA in his first 17 appearances in 2022 before the Phillies optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in May.
Alvarado returned in June and became one of the best relievers in baseball. In his final 42 regular-season appearances, he posted a 1.66 ERA, striking out 64 and walking 14 in 38 innings. Batters whiffed at his cutter 55.7% of the time, the ninth-highest whiff rate of any pitch by any reliever in the Majors (minimum 50 swings).