The Philadelphia Phillies made a significant move this offseason to strengthen their bullpen for the 2025 season. Last week, they signed former two-time All-Star to a one-year, $8.5 million deal, addressing the losses of Carlos Estévez and Jeff Hoffman to free agency. This move signals the Phillies’ confidence in their current relief corps and suggests they are not actively pursuing additional major bullpen upgrades at this time, according to The Athletic (subscription required).
However, when an opportunity arises to add organizational depth at minimal cost, no team can afford to overlook it. On Friday, the Phillies demonstrated this approach by signing veteran right-hander Nabil Crismatt to a minor league deal, providing valuable bullpen insurance.
Phillies sign veteran pitcher Nabil Crismatt as crucial bullpen depth
Nabil Crismatt made his MLB debut in 2020 and has spent time with several organizations, including the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Texas Rangers. Despite posting solid numbers throughout his five-year MLB career—aside from a rough 2023 season—Crismatt has struggled to secure a consistent role in the majors over the past few years.
Overall, he holds a 9-6 career record with a 3.71 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP, alongside 54 walks and 162 strikeouts in 177 innings across 114 MLB appearances. Notably, during the early part of the 2024 season with the Dodgers, Crismatt impressed with a 1-1 record, a 2.57 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and six strikeouts in seven innings of work. However, he was designated for assignment in mid-May, eventually landing with the Rangers and later returning to the Padres before the season ended. Despite his brief stint with the Dodgers, Crismatt now holds the distinction of being a World Series champion.
In the minors during the 2024 campaign, Crismatt struggled, posting a 5.81 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP over 27 appearances (16 starts). In 79 innings, he surrendered 51 earned runs on 99 hits, issued 28 walks, and struck out 75 batters. His work as a part-time starter, however, provides the Phillies with valuable starting pitching depth in addition to bullpen insurance.
The Phillies will hope Crismatt can regain the form he has shown at the big-league level rather than the struggles he faced in the minors, as they look to maximize his potential contribution in 2025.
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