Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

How should the Phillies manage Kimbrel and Alvarado?

Originally posted on Philly Sports Network
By Alec Kostival | Last updated 6/9/23

Jose Alvarado is slated to come off the 15-Day IL just before the Los Angeles Dodgers come to play the Phillies. Before getting injured, Jose Alvarado looked like the best reliever in baseball, not just left-handed either.

But that was a month ago. Things change. Situations change.

Since being injured, Craig Kimbrel has emerged as the Phillies’ go-to closer. Because of Alvarado’s absence, Kimbrel was able to record his 400th career save, joining a select few relievers in baseball history.

Not only did he record his 400th but his 401st, 402nd, and 403rd. Kimbrel has been borderline fantastic when in save situations. In 12 games that Kimbrel has been in save situations, he has a 2.25 ERA with 19 K in 12 IP. He has a .833 WHIP and opposing batters are hitting .143 with a .544 OPS. The only home runs he’s allowed are solo shots with a 2-run lead.

Perhaps Alvarado could be slightly better as the closer. He did have just a 0.682 WHIP and a 0.63 ERA before getting injured. Not to mention he struck out 24 batters in 14.1 IP. In save situations, Alvarado had a 0.71 ERA and allowed a .171 batting average to opposing hitters.

But Kimbrel might be most valuable as a closer.

Do the Phillies have a closing conundrum?

In non-save situations, Kimbrel looks like a quad-A player trying to fill a gap on the roster. In 12 IP, Kimbrel has an 8.25 ERA with a 1.667 WHIP. He made a weak Tigers offense look like they could steal a game from the Phillies after Zack Wheeler pitched 7.1 innings of no-hit ball.

The Phillies might not get their $10 million worth having Kimbrel as a set-up man.

Why not keep Kimbrel as the closer for now? Jose Alvarado can move back into the role he first thrived in: being a fireman. Any time there’s smoke forming from the opposition’s offense call fireman Jose Alvarado. Whether it’s the middle of the order or a bases juiced jam, call Alvarado.

Manager Rob Thomson seemed to love having Alvarado in this role in 2022. With Kimbrel thriving as a closer, why not continue to have Alvarado put out the Phillies’ fires?

This isn’t to say he can’t close games. If a litany of All-Stars is slated for the 9th inning, go to Alvarado. If 3 lefty mashers are due up, go to Alvarado. Just don’t rip the closer’s role away from Kimbrel. Don’t mess with a good thing while it’s going.

This article first appeared on Philly Sports Network and was syndicated with permission.

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