The Los Angeles Dodgers stunned many around the league when they non-tendered Evan Phillips, parting ways with one of the most dominant relievers of their championship era.
On paper, the decision looked cold: a trusted postseason weapon released just months after undergoing Tommy John surgery. In reality, it was a calculated financial move, and one that may only be temporary.
Phillips was projected to earn more than six million dollars in 2026 arbitration, a difficult commitment for a club unsure when he will pitch again.
But even as the Dodgers cut him loose, the tone from the front office suggested anything but a breakup. Andrew Friedman described the move as a matter of timing, not desire.
“We had a number of back and forth discussions with Evan and his agent,” Friedman said, via the LA Times.
“He is going to take some time and look to sign after he throws off the mound when his rehab allows. Evan has been a big part of our past success and we will continue the conversation about bringing him back.”
A rare reliever with elite pedigree
Phillips‘ value is not in question. Even in an injury-ravaged 2025 campaign, he delivered 5.2 scoreless innings before undergoing surgery, extending a run of dominance that has made him one of baseball’s most dependable postseason arms.
Across five seasons in Los Angeles, he posted a 2.22 ERA, delivered 45 saves, and never allowed a single run in 15.1 playoff innings.
His World Series contributions were even more impressive: 6.2 shutout frames during the Dodgers‘ 2024 championship push, pitching with the poise of a closer and the versatility of a multi-inning weapon.
Those numbers are why multiple teams, including the San Francisco Giants, are expected to pursue him. The Giants, in particular, view him as a potential high-upside signing despite knowing he will not pitch until mid-2026.
Their bullpen needs immediate help, but their front office recognises a rare chance to acquire a reliever who posted a 1.14 ERA in 2022 and 2.05 in 2023, even if it requires patience.
San Francisco also has no problem poaching from a rival, especially one that has ruled the division for the better part of the last decade.
Why a Dodgers reunion remains the most likely outcome
For all the outside interest, the Dodgers still hold the strongest pull. Phillips has consistently expressed loyalty to the organisation, even as he acknowledged how difficult his long absence will be.
“It’s going to be hard to be away from the game for this long,” he said in June. “We’ll attack this thing head on, rehab it, and hopefully get back to being the best version of myself in the second part of next year and be a part of that championship run.”
The Dodgers, meanwhile, have every incentive to bring him back. Their bullpen was one of the weakest links during the 2025 season, forcing the club to seek multiple reinforcements this winter.
Phillips offers a rare combination of familiarity, trust, and elite upside, exactly what a contender expects to add in the stretch run.
He began a throwing program earlier this month, and once he progresses to mound work, he will finally be able to showcase his recovery to potential suitors. The Dodgers plan to be near the front of that line.
Cutting Phillips loose was a financial strategy, not a philosophical shift. The Dodgers did not move on, they bought themselves time.
In that sense, the most surprising part of this story may not be the non-tender at all. It may be how quickly Phillips ends up back in Dodger blue once his rehab reaches the final stages.
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