Phillies Could Use $72 Million Failed Starter as Bullpen ‘Lemonade’

The Philadelphia Phillies desperately need help in the bullpen, especially after Jose Alvarado’s suspension.

Despite Jordan Romano starting to look like the player the Phillies paid in the offseason and Matt Strahm looking sharp more often than not, Alvarado’s absence is still being felt.

“At any rate, Alvarado’s selfishness — and that’s what PED use is, in this age of information saturation — left his club without its de facto closer; the Phils abhor such designations, but he was the late-innings ace,” wrote Marcus Hayes of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “His intentional negligence — that’s what it was, in this age of information saturation — imperiled a potentially historic season for a $296 million, luxury-taxed team.”

The Phillies have also been looking for a home for Taijuan Walker — a $72 million signing prior to the 2023 season that has been nothing short of a disappointment. He’s struggled the last two years, and he’s now in a reduced role this year.

Hayes believes Walker could be an asset in the bullpen in Alvarado’s absence.

“Their original plan was for Walker to pitch in moderately important spots; to have him ready to pitch as a long reliever, as he did in his two relief appearances, each three-inning outings; and to have him make spot starts, as he is doing for Nola,” wrote Hayes. … “So, with the team’s best reliever forbidden from showing his face at the ballpark, and with no real help in sight, manager Rob Thomson clearly hopes he can make some lemonade out of Dombrowski’s lemon.”

Thomson admitted to Phillies reporters he’s hopeful Walker can perform well in the bullpen.

“I’m kind of excited to see him come out of the bullpen, just to see if the stuff plays up,” Thomson told reporters Thursday. “The few times he’s come out, the one time in Tampa was unbelievable but even the second time, the first couple innings were really good.”

Let’s be honest here. The Phillies have nothing to lose by experimenting with Walker as a late-inning reliever. This is the definition of a low-risk, high-reward situation.

If Walker is successful, Thomson finds a way to make his contract somewhat worthwhile. If he isn’t successful, the Phillies can use it as an opportunity to finally cut ties with him.

Making lemonade as summer rolls around may be the best thing for the Phillies right now until the trade deadline draws closer.

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