Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

As most know, the Rays agreed to send Blake Snell to San Diego for a package of players. With their return though, the Rays needed to clear a roster space. In order to do so, the Rays announced that they sent hard-throwing lefty, Jose Alvarado to the Phillies. In return, they got Dillon Paulson from the Dodgers along with a player to be named later. To complete the deal, the Phillies sent pitcher, Garrett Cleavinger to the Dodgers.

Alvarado has had some injury problems in recent years but in 2018, he was flat-out dominant. He had a 11.25 K/9, 2.39 ERA, and a 2.27 FIP over 60 innings. Lefties with his stuff will always get a job in baseball. They gave up another lefty, Garrett Cleavinger, to make the trade work. Cleavinger was ranked as the Phillies 17th best prospect in 2017. He throws fairly hard and has always generated strikeouts. I’m sure the Dodgers see something with him, given that they chose to take him over just taking Alvarado for themselves.

The Phillies can definitely use someone with his upside given how bad their bullpen was in 2020. The Phillies definitely got a lot better with this move under new GM, Sam Fuld, and new President of Baseball Ops, Dave Dombrowski.