If there’s one thing you can count on from the Philadelphia Phillies in recent seasons, it’s their fondness for former Washington Nationals players. With franchise cornerstone Bryce Harper leading the charge—and big names like Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Joe Ross also on board—it’s almost as if the Nationals have become a talent pipeline for their division rival to the north.
This week, the Phillies added yet another pair of ex-Nats to their collection. On Tuesday afternoon, reports surfaced that they had signed right-handed reliever Lucas Sims, once considered a disappointing free-agent acquisition by Washington.
If Sims’ name rings a bell, it should. Writers across our site have repeatedly documented his struggles in the Nationals’ bullpen, and many were eager to see him cut loose. After one final meltdown on the mound a couple of weeks ago, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo finally bit the bullet and designated Sims for assignment.
Sims had been viewed as a potential low-risk, high-reward addition, thanks to his veteran presence and previously solid performance. However, his numbers nosedived, making him one of the league’s worst relievers before Washington let him go. His stint in D.C. was rough, to say the least—but who knows, maybe he’ll serve as a covert asset for the Nats if he somehow cracks the Phillies’ bullpen.
Realistically, though, this move seems more about adding depth than anything else. The Phillies’ bullpen has had a rough go this year and recently lost one of their top closers, Jose Alvarado, to an 80-game suspension. Sims probably won’t be much of a solution, considering his ghastly 13.86 ERA and 2.270 WHIP over 18 appearances, which somehow earned him a -0.9 WAR—no small feat in such a short time.
In a somewhat amusing twist, the Phillies also picked up another former National: righty Wil Crowe, signing him to a minor league deal. You might recall Crowe from his brief time in a Nationals uniform after being drafted in the second round in 2017. He made his MLB debut in 2020 before being traded—along with Eddy Yean—to the Pirates on Christmas Eve for Josh Bell. With Bell now struggling mightily, it’s a reminder of just how far removed Crowe is from being a notable name.