The Phillies have released reliever Brandon Kintzler, according to the MLB.com transactions tracker. That was the anticipated outcome after the veteran right-hander was designated for assignment over the weekend. Kintzler has well over five years of MLB service time, so he’d have had the right to reject an outright assignment in favor of free agency while retaining the remainder of his salary. With that in mind, the Phils evidently just decided to place him on release waivers. Once he clears, Kintzler will be free to sign anywhere of his choosing.
Kintzler was non-tendered by the Marlins over the winter despite a productive 2020 campaign serving as Miami’s closer. The 37-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Phillies that came with a $3MM base salary if he made the club out of Spring Training. He bet on himself, turning down guaranteed deals that would’ve come with a lower salary and ultimately made good on that decision, earning a season-opening spot in the Phils bullpen.
While Kintzler has generally been a productive reliever over the course of his career, that hasn’t been the case so far in 2021. The sinkerballer managed just a 6.37 ERA across 29 2/3 innings in Philadelphia. Kintzler’s still racking up grounders at a very high clip (58.2%), but he’s nevertheless been tagged for seven home runs.
That’s the result of a exceptionally high 29.2% HR/FB rate that’s more than double Kintzler’s career mark of 13.2%. Given his generally solid track record, Kintzler should find interest from other clubs on minor league arrangements. If a few more batted balls die in the outfield grass as opposed to clearing the fences, it’s possible he could bounce back towards his more typically steady form.
Thank you for your service. It didn’t work out. Kintzler fell into the abyss that was the Phillies bullpen and never came out. It’s a dark place. It’s a scary place. Few survive the experience.
That could be worked into a Jimi Hendrix song….
Jimi Hendrix, you telling your age to the few that are here.
It’s like a “Purple Haze” in Philly. 🙂
Come to Milwaukee!!!!
Mozeliak is on line 1…..
I agree
kintzler to knizner
Don’t z (sleep)on those Ks
When sinkerballers throw balls that don’t sink…
Story of my junior year of high school
Now do Neris and Enyel
Adios.
Kintzler will be claimed by Tampa where he’ll turn to solid gold. Somebody like the Braves sign him over the winter, and he turns back into a pumpkin. We’ve seen this movie many times.
Braves pickup I remember this guy last year was good and has closed. Phils bullpen over the years has been a issue.
Speaking of Jimi Hendrix…Seattle might be a good fit for rest of year.
The Mets need bullpen help. Let’s hope.
Mets should sign him and release Miguel Castro, hes been horrific
If you think Kintzler is better than Castro…wooo boy you’re going to be in for it. Please keep in mind that Kintzler was just cut from one of the worst bullpens in baseball. That’s next-level bad. Castro has certainly declined, but Kintzler is just really bad.
Castro walked the bases loaded last night and then walked the opposing pitcher with 2 outs left on 4 straight balls, that was the worst thing iv ever seen
That’s routine for the Phillies pen, or at least it was before the deadline.
Nice……the Phils burn his arm out by running him out there almost every night, then toss him aside.
No loyalty, no gratitude.
No wonder the players will have no trouble striking next spring. You don’t have to have a conscience when you’re dealing with another group with no conscience.
No. Sorry. I don’t want to defend Phillies management and FO, but this is the wrong take. Kintzler was certainly not used every night. In fact, he spent much of the season being injured. He has been horrific in almost every appearance of late. Phillies wanted him to be a part of their bullpen and gave him a great shot. His performance is what got him cut. The Phillies are in a playoff race. Keeping Kintzler would have taken them out of it. He was DFAed to make room for Kennedy, their new closer. Nothing shady about it. Kintzler was just not good.
Yea, that’s a terrible take.
SCBIII,
Is this Gramma Kintzler?
Not that I breave for Mr Kintzler, but with Suarez now a starter, and Ian Kennedy giving up four runs in his first two Phillies appearances, I hope they have an idea going forward.
Amazingly Matt Moore pitched well last night as a long reliever. His velocity was better than it’s been all season. Maybe he’s figured something out or it was just a fluke but the Phillies could use an effective left-handed reliever down the stretch.
Don’t get excited about this team yet lets see what happens after the Mets and Dodgers series before we talk division winners.I feel no matter what this is a 500 team that just does not mesh well and they should have sold at the deadline.I did not want a washed up Hamels so good for him go to the Dodgers.Kintzler will sign within the division and be a nemesis for the Phils just like he was in the past.Oh yes they did have Tony Watson in spring training and cut him loose to have another good season.