David Robertson chose an unconventional path this offseason as a self-represented free agent, and as a right-hander who holds lefties to a .186/.268/.278 mark, he’s unconventional on the bump as well. It’s not surprising to hear, then, that Gabe Kapler’s plan to deploy him whenever the biggest outs are needed suits him just fine. Unconventional he may be, but he is also a modern reliever in every sense, from his ability to neutralize hitters from both sides of the plate, to his durability in multi-inning outings (23 such appearances since 2017), to his ability to miss bats (11.97 K/9 for his career). Despite the robust resume, Robertson isn’t worried about being used in a traditional closer’s role, so long as he gets important outs on the back-end, writes Scott Lauber of Philadelphia Inquirer. For the Phillies, that makes him a perfect fit in a bullpen that has a few guys capable of locking down the ninth. Per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Seranthony Dominguez and Hector Neris figure to share in those closing responsibilities with Robertson, giving second-year skipper Gabe Kapler the freedom to let situations dictate his bullpen management more so than strict role assignments. Dominguez, 24, slowed in the second half of his rookie campaign but showed tremendous promise overall recording 16 saves and a 2.93 ERA, while Neris, 29, saved 11 games last year while striking out a ridiculous 14.3 batters per nine innings. Neris has earned 39 saves over the last three seasons in Philadelphia. Robertson’s signing reverberates beyond just the ninth inning…
- Kapler’s ongoing modernization of the Philly bullpen makes Craig Kimbrel a somewhat odd fit, considering he is one of the few tried-and-true closers left in the MLB. Where Kimbrel does fit (besides previous Boston or Atlanta), however, is entirely (and unjustifiably) unclear, per Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston. Kimbrel’s case is yet another example of the widening gap between players and teams as front offices become increasingly wary of age decline while focusing their efforts (and their payrolls) on value spending. He may not be worth the 6-year, $100MM commitment reported to be the starting ask, but there ought to be more interest for a 30-year-old closer with a proven track record (1.91 ERA, 1.96 FIP, 2.16 xFIP) that is supported by underlying success (14.67 K/9 to 3.46 BB/9, 0.59 HR/9).
- With Robertson in hand and seven out-of-options relievers on their 40-man roster, thinning a now-overcrowded bullpen is next on Philadelphia’s offseason docket, per the Athletic’s Matt Gelb. Veterans Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter could be the odd men out if the Phils can find a trade partner. Along with the power trio of Robertson, Dominguez, and Neris, recent offseason acquisitions Juan Nicasio (from the Mariners) and Jose Alvarez (from the Angels) would seem to be locks for the pen on Opening Day. Hunter, specifically, was acquired because of his reverse-split ability to retire left-handers, which could now make him vulnerable given Robertson’s skills in the same area. Alvarez, projected to make only $1.7MM this year, would be the easiest to flip, but they probably prefer to move one of their higher-priced expirings like Hunter ($9MM), Nicasio ($9.25MM) or Neshek, who is guaranteed $8.5MM including a buyout for 2020.
- Unless the price for Dallas Keuchel drops significantly, the Phillies seem done shopping for arms, at least until midseason, per Gelb. Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta head the Philly rotation, but GM Matt Klentak believes in the high floor provided by the depth behind those two, both at the major league level and in Triple A. Nick Pivetta, Vince Velasquez and Zach Eflin round out the rotation, but the renewed health of Jerad Eickhoff provides further flexibility should one of the above trio stumble. Regardless, the Phillies like their current group, and any upgrade would need to be significant. Patrick Corbin provided that kind of upside, but with the former Dback now in Washington, there doesn’t appear to be another available starter the Phils deem worthy of a significant acquisition cost. The next few weeks of free agent hunting figure to focus on the big fish, after which offensive plan B’s or even a reengagement on Kimbrel would likely take precedence over adding another starter.
Tigers trade Castellanos and Fulmer for Odubel and Cesar. Let’s go!
Haha…that’d be great.
Not sure what the Tigers want or, frankly, where they’re going. They seem like one of those teams that’s just “stuck”.
Tigers are early in a rebuild with an improved farm system and a few top pitching prospects. Wake up
Sold!!!
phillies are trying to improve defense lol
Tigers are trying to improve.
I would of done that trade a couple years ago, but Fulmer hasen’t been the same since his rookie year.
Tigers are looking for prospects… they gave up on 2019 and 2020 already. They have no need for major leaguers right now. They are looking for that number 1 pick again.
They let their best bullpen pitcher walk… Alex Wilson. Wilson had the lowest era and WHIp of the other bullpen pitchers and they just let him walk. He was arbitration eligible and they just let him go. There are so many other pitchers they could have let go, but let him go.
Better option might be Boyd for the rotation. He’s a lefty that had some really solid starts. Boyd for Quinn and Cozens?
The Phils are gonna have a well put together team in 2019
They still need Harper or Machado, that would put them over the top.
They’ll sign Machado. Harp to the Dodgers.
No chance! Machado to the Yankees and Harper re-signs with the Nats,
Over the top? How about above water? They weren’t a very good team last year at all.
Still on outside looking in most likely. Even if they sign Harper, I put them 2nd behind Nats, and the Mets and Braves are right there too. They need some of their kids to show up.
They need Manny Machado in their lineup with Bryce Harper.
I would be shocked if Harper went back to the nationals
If they pay him why wouldn’t he?
If the Phillies pay him why wouldn’t he become a Phillies player?
———————————–
The Yankees offered Cano $175 million. The Mariners offered $240.
240
-175
—–
65 million
There’s the answer for the Phillies. $130 million in “stupid money” and both Harper and Machado are Phillies teammates.
Why hasn’t there been a press conference by the Phillies to announce the signing of Machado and Harper? Those two are still waiting to see the “Stupid Money”.
X, you are the reason I don’t read the comments. People like you, obsessed with sharing their opinion. Normal people read the articles, and rarely have something unique to say, and we had quality comments because of it.
When in reality, it’s people like you who comment on topics w/ out any reference to the topic, simply to troll X.
I’d rather have X than all you idiots who troll him for having an opinion on baseball.
That said, I still don’t get why Kimbrel is linked to Atlanta. No way do they go that high AAV or total, for a closer.
Where is the x comment this guy is referring to?
Xabiel
Slevin wasn’t confused on who x was, he probably was wondering why this guy @dionis was bringing him into anything.
Agree or disagree, Xab usually supports his position well which is more than many posters. To Xab, I say thank you. To others I remind them there are other sites.
ey is back baby, and she’s checking the tape on the A.J. Cole article!!!
Agreed. Complaining about X is much more annoying.
Do the Angels sign a clo$er or not?
Justin Wilson used to be the Tigers closer. That’s probably about all the Angels would bother signing.
I’ll take wilson , they need a lefty in the pen now since they traded alvarez.
Is it really a fall out? Or, is a wake up call to Kimbrel to be more realistic ?
That hissing sound you hear is the air coming out of Kimbrel’s market..psssss..6 for $100M… If he gets 3 for $50M and a 4th yr option he should grab it quick.
BRYCE HARPER
MANNY MACHADO
The Phillies winter is signing both of them. If they did nothing else their winter would be a rousing success. If they fail to sign one of them then their winter is a total failure and they need to call Houston and try to get Forrest Whitley and Kyle Tucker for Aaron Nola.
The eternal rebuild shall continue with the “or” signing of the above used as a ticket draw for a year or two and then they deal the “or” signing to a real team like the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox or dare I write it…..the Astros.
Neris had a 5.10 era… but… in June he pitched less than 10 innings and gave up 7 home runs. If you take out June… he would have given up 15 runs in 38 innings for a 3.55 era. Not great, but decent. Something happened in June where he fell off the rails but he got back on track. Take out his opening day melt down and another game where he couldn’t get an out… his era drops to 2.43 for 37 innings in 41 games.
I know we can’t just take out games because he did poorly in them, but that’s 41 games where he was very solid. I would take that from any reliever. Add in his 14 k/9… and he has been very good for the previous 3 years… you have a very solid bullpen piece.
Dominguez has a great rookie season. He has the potential to be a very good closer. Huge K/9 totals and excellent era throughout his minor and major league career.
Add Robertson to that and you have the 7th, 8th and 9th innings locked down most nights. Neshek Hunter and Morgan fill that bullpen out nicely.
The issue was Neris was all mental. He threw a couple of back splitters that didn’t split and got clobbered. He lost confidence in the pitch and his talks with the media kept compounding this issues in his mind, When he came back up he refused to speak with the media and didn’t over think things. It did him a world of difference. I think ultimately he should be fine.
As for Morgan is the third lefty on the depth chart behind Pazos and Alvarez at his point. I don’t see him being much more than minor league depth at this point but he’s probably out of options.
bucketbrew35…….
I would rather they use Scare-Us Neris as trade bait. I just don’t trust his mental make-up.
I see your point. Although he did much better after his recall from the minors. I’m hoping he figured something out.
He did do better but was still shaky at times. Aside from the 0.1 IP, 3 run debacle on Sept 17 he was shaky a few other times as well. He relieved Jake against the Metsand after K’ing the first batter he gave up consecutive single before getting a DEEP fly out to center. He also loaded the bases against the Nats in 0.1 IP before being rescued by Arano.
I think what scares me most is not just Neris but Kapler’s insistence on sticking with him so much until he was finally sent down.
If I had to hear Kapler, one more time, time say “we liked the way he matched up and stuck with him” I may have thrown something at the screen. I am just worried Kapler will do it again.
Use him in a package to get a SP.
Great point about Neris having the 2.43 era in the other 41 games.
Kimbril will sign a 4 year 64 mil – with a 5th year option with a buyout . Option year will be 15 mil
But hopefully not it’s the BSox.
The traditional role of closer will be obsolete soon. Why hold your best arm for the 9th inning if 2-3-4 are due up for the other team in the 8th?
Best guys in most critical situations is how any strategic manager should work.
Kimbrel will be on the wrong side of 30 this coming season, and isn’t even the best at what he does. 4/60 max.
Agreed on Kimbrel. I don’t think he gets anywhere near what he’s asking for. I’m so glad the Phils didn’t sign him. Save the money for Harper or Machado.
That’s a good pickup for the Phils. NL East shaping up to be must-see baseball. I haven’t been this excited for a season in several years. Go Braves!
NL Least
Same as it ever was
Same….as….it….ever….was….
You sure about that David Byrne?
I will dumb this down to your level, ScottRolen. “Same as it ever was.” We get it. There’s no need to repeat yourself.
Really want the braves to go get Kimbrel … the reunion aside, we need him bad
Only if he takes a major hometown discount. When I say major, like nothing over $50m for 3 or 4 years. Which is highly unlikely.
“…giving second-year skipper Gabe Kapler the freedom to let situations dictate his bullpen management more so than strict role assignments.”
To my perception, the more the game embraces analytics, the more managers and teams will move in this direction. We’re already seeing a lot of the traditional modes of play being questioned and changed (or at least experimented with). I’m guessing that soon, either a team’s bullpen will be considered far more important than the starting staff almost unilaterally OR the designations of “SP” and “RP” will come close to disappearing entirely.
I don’t think BP will ever be more important than a guy who can go 6 and give up 2 runs.
Designations don’t mean much, one way or the other, but they’re probably staying for the dame reason
I wonder if a team like the Astros could use an opener? They have their top 3 starters, Verlander, Cole and Mchugh that can give you 7 innings pretty much every start. Maybe have an opener those 2 other days… Perez (LHP) and Peacock (RHP) give you one trip through the lineup. Then replace them with James (RHP) and Valdez (LHP) to force a decision on pinch hitting in the 4th inning. They could go 5 innings and then leave it to your pen. You could rotate those 4 pitchers as openers so everyone gets a shot at opening and getting credit for a win. Those 4 could give you 7 solid innings every time through the rotation and it helps with their inning count. So you’d have 7 starters and 5 relievers. The openers could probably be used as relievers in other games because they weren’t used all that much.
As a Yankee fan I will miss DRob, Phillies got themselves a good one.
Saved by the bell
I am not a sabermatrician, I am more of an old school fan but regarding saves – I propose the official scorekeeper be assigned with the task of assigning saves. He or she could use the old eye test to determine who warrants the save like they do wins, hits etc.
There is an official rule that designate a save for the scorekeeper…. link to official rules mlb.mlb.com/documents/0/8/0/268272080/2018_Officia…
9.00—THE OFFICIAL SCORER – 9.19 Saves for Relief Pitchers
A save is a statistic credited to a relief pitcher, as set forth in this
Rule 9.19.
The official scorer shall credit a pitcher with a save when such
pitcher meets all four of the following conditions:
(a) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his team;
(b) He is not the winning pitcher;
(c) He is credited with at least 1⁄3 of an inning pitched; and
(d) He satisfies one of the following conditions:
(1) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs
and pitches for at least one inning;
I appreciate the information, I didn’t know it was up to the scorer but I think the caveat of finishing the game needs to be rethought. Which was what I was thinking after reading this article and why I replied. Perhaps the official scorer should be allowed to give a save in the 7th or 8th when the game is really on the line. You know bases loaded, no outs, one run game, etc, etc
My Pleasure. Much has to do with when the rule was written. It wasn’t that long ago when closers pitched 2+ inning saves….Rollie fingers lead the league in saves in 77. He pitched in 78 games, finished 69, saved 35 and had 132.1 IP.
From 72-78 he started only 2 games pitched in 493, finished 402 and had 858 IP. In comparison, it took Mo Rivera (who was known at the time for 1+ inning saves 768 games to reach 886 IP. I am not knocking him, just showing how the game changed.
Now people are all ga-ga about RP’s who record 1.2 inning saves when it used to be common place.
What was old is new again.