As an organization, the Phillies have never been particularly fond of going to arbitration with players. They have carried that tradition over by reaching deals with six players who were eligible for arbitration.

The Phillies reached one-year deals with four players – Rhys Hoskins ($12-million), Gregory Soto ($3.925-million), Ranger Suarez ($2.95-million), and Edmundo Sosa ($950-thousand) – to avoid going to hearings. Ironically, the two who did not sign deals prior to the date to exchange salary figures wound up getting longer term deals.

First was Seranthony Dominguez, who had requested $2.9-million while the Phillies offered $2.1-million. Dominguez had lost plenty of time to injuries, but a bounce back 2022 season in which he pitched 51 innings and finished with 61 strikeouts and held opponents to a .197 batting average while posting a 3.00 ERA, resulted in a two-year deal with a club option for 2025. The right-hander will receive $2.5-million in 2023 and $4.25-million in 2024 with a $500-thousand buyout on 2025 that makes the guaranteed money $7.25-million. If the Phillies pick up the 2025 option, Dominguez will receive $8-million. The two guaranteed seasons cover the final two years of arbitration that Dominguez had coming to him.

The 28-year-old reliever will be in the mix to work as the team’s closer and will certainly be relied upon in the later innings of games. Dominguez has 25 career saves over four seasons, including saving 16 games in 2018, his rookie season. In June of 2019, Dominguez developed elbow issues and would ultimately require Tommy John surgery and miss more than two years of baseball.

The Phillies took Dominguez’ two-year deal and went one better for Jose Alvarado. The lefty had requested $3.7-million through arbitration and was offered $3.2-million by the Phillies. In the end, Alvarado will get $3.5-million in 2023 ($3.45-million salary plus a $50-thousand signing bonus). In 2024 and 2025, the 27-year-old will be paid $9-million for each season and another $9-million if the Phillies pick up the option for 2026. Should the Phillies decline the option, Alvarado would receive a $500-thousand buyout, meaning that the deal guarantees him $18.55-million over three seasons.

Alvarado had found himself optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley during the 2022 season but two weeks later returned to the major league bullpen and looked to be a different pitcher. From mid-June on, Alvarado posted 64 strikeouts in just 37 innings and held opponents to a .153 average, while putting up a 0.98 ERA over the stretch. On the season, Alvarado pitched in 59 games, covering 51 innings and struck out 81 batters, posting a 3.18 ERA.

Like Dominguez, Alvarado will be slotted into the back end of the bullpen and could be in contention to pick up some saves. He recorded two saves last season and five with the 2021 Phillies. The Phillies acquired Alvarado in late December of 2020 as part of a three-team deal with the Dodgers and Rays. The Phillies sent Garrett Cleavinger to the Dodgers and received Alvarado from Tampa Bay.