MLB insider Bob Nightengale believes the Philadelphia Phillies could be ready to move on from reliever José Alvarado after a season filled with setbacks.
Alvarado was positioned to take over as closer early in the year, but his season derailed quickly. He was suspended 80 games in May for PED use, which also made him ineligible for the postseason. After returning in late August, the hard-throwing lefty gave up five earned runs, including three homers, over six innings before landing on the injured list with a strained forearm, ending his season.
The Phillies now face a decision on Alvarado’s $9 million club option for 2026, which carries a $500,000 buyout. Nightengale suggested the team may prefer to move on, writing, “Now that Phillies late-inning reliever Jose Alvarado’s season is over, going on the IL with a strained left forearm and ineligible for the postseason because of his PED suspension, it will be interesting if the Phillies completely cut ties with him. Alvarado has a $9 million club option for 2026, but considering how much he let them down this season, it would make the most sense to buy out his $500,000 option and say good-bye.”
Despite this year’s disappointment, Alvarado has been productive in his five years with Philadelphia, pitching to a 3.48 ERA across 235 2/3 innings with 308 strikeouts and a 3.36 FIP. But with the Phillies looking ahead, his struggles may outweigh his track record.
If Philadelphia does decline the option, the club will have plenty of work to do reshaping a bullpen that has lingering questions outside of reliable closer Jhoan Duran.