Dodgers Free Agent Reliever Signs 3-Year Deal With Braves

Support Local Media - Click to Add LA Sports Report as a Preferred Source on GoogleFormer Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips signed a three-year, $35 million deal with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.Phillips is one of several Dodgers relievers to enter free agency this offseason, and had an extremely successful six seasons in Los Angeles prior to his exit. He will receive $11 million in each of the 2027 and 2028 seasons, with the final season of his contract in 2029 valued at $13 million. The Braves announced he agreed to donate 1% of his salary to the Atlanta Braves Foundation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dodgers Nation (@dodgersnation)How Good Was Evan Phillips With the Dodgers?The Dodgers grabbed Phillips off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2021 season, and he became a big part of the bullpen in the following years.In his first full season with the team in 2022, Phillips had a 1.14 ERA through 64 appearances with the tea, striking out 77 batters in 63 innings pitched that season.After his strong season, Phillips took over the Dodgers’ closer job, logging 42 saves over the next two years, during which he posted a 2.79 ERA through 123 games and won his first World Series.Injuries kept him off of the field for the majority of the 2025 season, as he underwent Tommy John surgery after seven scoreless appearances, but the Dodgers brought him back on a one-year, $6.5 million deal just before spring training last season. Following his midseason return in 2026, Phillips had a 3.46 ERA through 31 appearances, returning to his position as a high-leverage arm with the team while discovering some velocity, reaching 100 miles per hour on his fastball in September.During parts of six seasons with the Dodgers, Phillips had a 2.36 ERA and logged 46 saves with the team striking out 254 batters through 221 innings pitched.Did the Braves Need Evan Phillips?The Braves had a few key departures from their bullpen this free agency period, with closer Raisel Iglesias and long reliever Brent Suter both making their exits after the close of the 2026 season.The right-handed Iglesias had spent five seasons with the team prior to his move to free agency, and having just finished his age-36 season, the Braves opted for Phillips over the veteran. Phillips is likely to take over a similar role to Iglesias, though Robert Suarez will likely be their first-choice closer with Phillips serving as a setup man.The Braves are likely to address the left-handed Suter’s departure later in free agency.The post Dodgers Free Agent Reliever Signs 3-Year Deal With Braves appeared first on LA Sports Report.