Phillies Bullpen Options: Could Paul Sewald or Alex McFarlane Be the Answer in High-Leverage Spots?

It's no secret the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen has had its struggles this season.

Late-Inning Void Following Brad Keller’s Injury

The team added Brad Keller in the offseason,  signing him to a two-year, $22 million deal to set up for closer Jhoan Duran. However, Keller underwent a right elbow UCL reconstruction surgery and will miss anywhere from 13-16 months.

He finished the year with a 4.02 ERA in 31 1/3 innings pitched. Since he has gone down, the Phillies have struggled to find someone to pitch in the eighth inning.

Internal Options Have Struggled to Lock Down the Eighth Inning

While Duran has been elite, none of the replacements, which includes Orion Kerkering, Jose Alvarado, and Jonathan Bowlan have grabbed the high-leverage innings.

Here are a few options:

Potential External Upgrade: Paul Sewald

Paul Sewald: The Arizona Diamondbacks DFA'd closer Paul Sewald,  who's struggled as of late, but has 24 saves in 27 chances and a solid 1.103 WHIP with 44 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched.

The 36-year-old Sewald could use a fresh start, but hasn't been very good since mid-June forcing Arizona to move on from their former closer.

Internal Prospect Call-Up: Alex McFarlane

Alex McFarlane: McFarlane Triple-A numbers have been outstanding,  with an 1.82 ERA and 1.119 WHIP in 36 games pitched.

Worst case the Phillies put him in some higher leverage spots and he fails.  However,  they could find a diamond in the rough from a talented arm that is averaging 12.6 strikeouts per nine between two minor league levels.

At this point, the Phillies should at least take a look at McFarlane to see if he can help out a struggling bullpen.  His power arm could give the Phillies a swing and miss type of pitcher they are currently lacking at the back end.