Dodgers lose key bullpen piece after Braves unexpectedly overpay in free agency

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost two key bullpen pieces to free agency this offseason in Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia — longtime mainstays of the relief corps and the perfect representatives of the Dodgers' now well-documented effectiveness with reclamation projects.

Phillips was a waiver claim from the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021, Vesia part of the Dodgers' return in their 2021 Dylan Floro trade with the Miami Marlins. In their six seasons with the Dodgers, they posted a 2.36 and 2.66 ERA, respectively.

Unsurprisingly, it's made them desirable on the free agent market this year. Vesia reportedly has over half of the league calling his agent to check in, and Phillips just signed a three-year, $35 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. The Braves — an organization that's very good at keeping things under wraps — broke the news themselves.

Over the last three years, Phillips hasn't been quite as exceptional as he was during his first couple seasons in LA. His 2025 was cut to just 5⅔ innings before he underwent Tommy John in May, and he began the 2026 season on the IL and managed to pitch just 26 innings for a 3.46 ERA in the aftermath.

This makes a three-year, $11.67 million AAV deal a little puzzling, but the Braves might've fallen prey to the threat of a free agent scramble pre-lockout.

Dodgers lose Evan Phillips to Braves on a three-year, $35 million deal

Phillips' new deal should make him a top-15 reliever in terms of AAV, sandwiched between Emilio Pagán, who agreed to an $11.5 million deal with the Detroit Tigers during GM Meetings, and Tyler Rogers, who is owed $12.33 million from the Toronto Blue Jays in 2027.

At 32, a three-year deal may not be the end of the world, but only if the Braves can figure out how to keep him healthy. But Dodgers certainly aren't known for their ability to keep pitchers off the IL, so perhaps Phillips just needs a change of scenery.

His time with the Dodgers seems to have run its course, anyway. They non-tendered him after the 2025 season, but there was no doubt the Dodgers would re-sign him despite the Tommy John. Although he hustled to get back, the Dodgers need an infusion of youth in all areas of their roster, so letting him walk was really the only option.

Regardless, we wish Phillips happy trails and congrats on the paycheck.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow