Is it really worth it? Boosting your performance with PEDs if the price is watching your team from the sidelines instead of playing? Definitely not. The Philadelphia Phillies, currently at 28-18, have a gaping hole in their bullpen after their top reliever got suspended for testing positive for PED use. Jose Alvarado held a 2.70 ERA over the past 20 games before he was suspended. The Phillies, already with limited relief depth, are now in a concerning spot.

Addressing the intensity of Alvarado’s exit, Phillies’ first baseman Bryce Harper, during a media appearance, stated, “Obviously, he took something he wasn’t supposed to and got suspended. We kind of have to turn the page as quick as possible so we can move on without him right now.” Well, the Phillies have been relying on Alvarado throughout this season.

Harper further acknowledged that losing Alvarado to a banned substance is a “big loss” in the Phillies’ bullpen. “He’s one of our best arms down there,” Harper said.

Concluding his stance on Alvarado’s situation, Harper revealed that for now the Phillies are just going to put it behind them and not worry about it.

It, however, won’t be a shocker now if the Phillies look for external help to fix their bullpen.  If not right away, then at the trade deadline, they will surely go for it. Thinking out loud, it will not be easier for the Phillies to find the ideal match to materialize this deal for a reliever role.

That being said, Harper is still hopeful that the Phillies and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski will be making the right move whenever required. However, the Phillies should act fast if they want to land in the playoffs.

Phillies react to Alvarado’s suspension, reveals their next move

It was “sad news” for the team when manager Rob Thomson announced Jose Alvarado’s 80-game suspension to the Phillies. After his suspension, the team released a statement to announce that they stand firm with Major League Baseball’s Joint Prevention and Treatment Program. Further, they expressed how disappointing it was to lose Alvarado to a banned substance.

Alvarado offered high energy to the dugout and after his exit, the teammates shared their despair. His fellow reliever Jeff Hoffman emphasized that Alvarado had been ‘the rock’ of the bullpen. Orion Kerkering, Phillies’ rookie, said, “It’s like a family member going down with issues.” Kerkering admitted that it would be sad to not have Alvarado’s joyous self as they usually had.

Now, the Phillies have to act fast. How are they going to get through the season without their best arm? After all, their late-inning crisis was always handled by Alvarado. They cannot have Alvarado back till mid-august. And even if they do, it’s uncertain if they will get his usual elite arm back.

They have the option of turning to players like Jordan Romano, Tanner Banks, or Matt Strahm. But then again, the concern is if they go with Romano, he’s the one who has struggled with a 7.71 ERA in the closer role. So, that’s not good enough for the team right now.

For now, let’s see how the Phillies do when they go up against the Colorado Rockies on Monday. And sooner or later Thomson and the team will make a decision. Moreover, they have to find a reliever that has what it takes to reach the October glory.

What do you think – will the Phillies opt to trade or go with their internal options?