The Phillies have “serious interest” in free agent reliever Corey Knebel, report Ken Rosenthal and Jayson Stark of the Athletic (on Twitter). Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia adds that the club is “making progress” in discussions with the right-hander and his representatives at Excel Sports Management.
The Dodgers acquired the former All-Star closer from the Brewers last offseason. Knebel missed a good chunk of the year on account of a right lat strain, but he was very effective when healthy enough to pitch. He tossed 25 2/3 innings over 27 appearances, working to a 2.45 ERA with a strong 29.7% strikeout percentage and an average 8.9% walk rate. Knebel also induced ground-balls at a solid 45.9% clip.
It was an all-around strong bounceback showing for the 30-year-old, who was limited to just 13 1/3 ineffective innings between 2019-20 on account of an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. Perhaps most encouragingly, his average fastball velocity bounced back to 96.3 MPH after dipping to 94.3 MPH during his immediate return from TJS in 2020. Not coincidentally, his swinging strike rate rebounded from 7.2% to a 12.7% clip that’s only a touch below where Knebel worked during his peak seasons.
Were the Phillies to come to an agreement with Knebel, he’d be a key addition to a bullpen that stands out as one of the weaker areas on the roster. The outfield might be the other area of greatest need, and Salisbury adds that Philadelphia has interest in free agent corner outfielder Kyle Schwarber. After a down 2020, the former fourth overall pick rebounded to mash at a .266/.374/.554 clip across 471 plate appearances between the Nationals and Red Sox.
A run at Schwarber would be far more expensive than a pursuit of Knebel, of course. MLBTR forecasts a two-year, $18MM deal for Knebel, while Schwarber’s projected deal checks in at four years and $70MM. Schwarber, who was ineligible to be tagged with a qualifying offer by virtue of a midseason trade from Washington to Boston, has again been linked to both of his 2021 clubs as a free agent. The division-rival Marlins have also been floated as a possibility as they try to rebuild their own outfield.
The Phillies are interested in those guys but I don’t think they will be a huge help. Schwarber had a great season but he is unlikely to repeat it. He’s just a year away from hitting below the Mendoza line for the season. The power is there but I think the walks and contact will go back down and the strikeouts will go back up. Plus, Schwarber has no defensive value.
Knebel is basically a nobody. People wouldn’t even recognize him if the Dodgers weren’t dumb enough to give him multiple starts in the NLCS. He never deserved those starts. Trying to be cute like that the whole series is what cost the Dodgers the championship.
Schwarber will sign with the METS. $$$$$$$
Nope he wont. Only other position player would be baez
@The Mets “Missed WAR” Do you get paid to have the worst take possible on every post on his site?
Corey Knebel is a nobody??? Get outta here with this nonsense. I’d mute you, but because you reply to the first comment of nearly every post, that would erase like 50% of all the discussions.
Right with you dude. Most annoying commenter with the worst takes.And he comments on every single article I happen to look at comments for. Nothing wrong with reading a lot of mlbtr articles and commenting. But it’s literally every single one. Please know that we all hate you no matter who we root for.
Yeah, “Missed WAR” that was a very ignorant take you chose to waste everyone’s time with.
Schwarber has proven to be a solid hitter of the course of his career, 2020 aside. Also, Kneeland is far from a nobody, that just sounds so ignorant it makes one think it could only be said as sour grapes for whatever reason.
These two could and would help the Phillies significantly!! Philly needs a decent bit of help to fill quite a few holes on their roster, but either way, this would be a great start towards fielding a better team come next season.
Why?
@The Mets “Missed WAR” An extra bat would do wonders for the Phillies lineup. When Hoskins went down last year, the offense sort of fell apart. Harper carried it as best he could, but pitchers did their best to pitch around him and no one else stepped up. I think a bat of Schwarber’s quality would go a long way to improving this already decent offense. That being said, the Phillies biggest problem is their horrific defense, and Schwarber does nothing to help in that regard.
If he doesn’t address the defense he hasn’t done nothing much imo
So he’s done a lot then?
He was a 2017 All Star and an absolute stud with Milwaukee before injuries hit. Maybe he wasn’t known to you but many baseball fans know who he is. He was very effective in relief when healthy with LA and the main reason they “got cute” with the opener thing late was in large part out of desperation because they were down to 3 healthy starting pitchers and those 3 were showing signs of fatigue. But other than that you nailed it!
What a cold take on Knebel
Hehehe. What can I say? I like to stir the pot a little sometimes. Just a year ago Schwarber was a non-tendered .188 hitter with an OPS I’m the .600’s. He goes through really long terrible spells sometimes. Occasionally all season long. If he hits even close to that poorly again his contract becomes terrible because he can’t even play the field. He becomes an $80M dugout fixture. His bat is all he has and sometimes his bat is dreadful.
Are you a little girl, hehehe
A ton of players didn’t hit for sh$t in 2020. Wake up.
Dumb take is more like it. Bye-bye, “Missed War.”
I lost brain cells reading this mans comment.
Dear mets”missedwar,” It is truly amazing how foolish you are 99% of the time. What are you 12? Knebel was an important piece of the Dodger bullpen in 2021. Please find that village you are so desperately seeking , my idiot friend.
You lose all credibility with “Knebel is basically nobody.” Career 131 ERA+ and 12 plus K’s/9. Yeah he’s complete trash.
Did you watch MLB at all in 2021 brother?
Lol your a Dumb ass
If you didn’t know who Knebel is prior to this year, I question your MLB fandom. He was very good in Milwaukee before injury.
Knebel was 4-0, with three saves, and a 2.45 ERA. I’d love to see the RS offer him $27M/3 to close for us. I’m just not seeing any flaws. He was an AS in 2017. He fell off in 2018, but finished his September by being almost unhittable. Got hurt in 2019, and he is right back on target in 2021.
There is no doubt that he needs a serious medical review prior to signing, but this guy is a really good pitcher when he is healthy.
They both should be signed by now by the Phillies for a reasonable contract. The Mets has been making moves since Black Friday signing a lot of players and they are not done yet.
I like Knebel if he can stay healthy, he’d be a great setup man. Schwarber would absolutely rake in CBP, but he doesn’t do anything to improve the Phillies terrible defense.
These will be a great pick up for them. Will be two very solid players .Schwarber will stretch a nice line up and Knebel will be a very good closer or 8th inning guy. Both could become all stars again .
fwiw Schwarber’s positioning and footwork aren’t stellar, but he’s improved in recent years supposedly and his arm alone would be a big upgrade over Cutch’s (that aspect of his game having been the single biggest problem with the OF last year in my belief).
Still not 100% sure if I buy last year, but Schwarber’s got my vote as this team’s next LF.
The fact that the Phillies drafted outfielders 1st overall and 8th overall and they still have to go and spend $$$ on two outfielders fo start really is a microcosm of their failed rebuild.
It does darn suck, but I’m not one for wallowing. Gotta keep moving.
Phillies can’t draft and develop. Same old story. Can’t dwell on it. Got to fix it with cash.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
I think Tampa makes for an interesting trade partner, as Kiermaier is getting a bit too expensive for them and I also think they’d be willing to cut ties with Glasnow, who will likely be out almost all of next season. Acquiring those two would be a low-cost (in terms of prospect capital) move for the club to solidify CF while also providing some sneaky good upside in TG coming out of TJ.
ooos, sorry all… got a lil trigger happy with the submit button. I guess that’s how bad I want Kevin Kiermaier!
But what do you think of Tampa as a potential trade partner?
Kiermaier is due $12.1M next year and has a $2.5M buyout. He has played 130 games or more one time in his eight year career. He hasn’t slugged for over .400 since 2017. I don’t see the Phillies trading for him.
This is just hot stove garbage. Nowhere in Philly media has Schwarber been linked to Phillies. They want a RH bat behind Harper, and Castellanos’ name has been thrown around this week. He also has ties to Dombrowski. Right now Schwarber is plan D.
The writer linked in the article is a long-time Philly guy.
Saying the Phillies bullpen is one of the weaker areas of the team is like saying the Titanic had a small design flaw when it came to icebergs.
Fantastic
An Olympic level comment.
Why would they want Schwarber? He is not going to improve their league worst defense. Dumbrowski really proving just how dumb he is. Go get Conforto and Suzuki, and another team waste money on slow footed Schwarber. Bring back Amaro.
because defense is only part of the equation. he replaces Cutch, and should rake enough to well surpass his hitting and has an arm that alone makes him less of a liability in LF, even if the bar is low.
I have a feeling they add Schwarber and then go after Kiermaier to sure up the middle. Schwarber’s bat would compliment the lineup nicely as a lefty and is cheaper and better defensively than Castellanos.
Better hope the Rangers don’t get interested lol
I don’t trust Knebel to stay healthy. If this is the replacement for Hector I guess it’s worth a try. If this is the plan for closer, God help us.
That is ultimately the biggest issues they didn’t resign Neris so now you have to hope Knebel replaces Harris. Even with that they need 1 or 2 good high leverage arms in addition to that.
Swapping Neris for Knebel? Jeez… rather dumpster dive
I think they would be good additions
@Kruk it Absolutely. I’m worried that Schwarber gets too much based of his hot streak last year, but they will be pretty solid improvements.
Phillies fans, will you please take Craig Kimbrel off our hands? Have any extra 2b’s you want to move?
Jean Segura (with Gregorious moving to second)? The money is about even.
This trade makes senseeee
No. Why? Kimbrel is old and declining. Segura had a great season last year. I get it the Phillies pen is bad, but trading Segura for Kimbrel is not the answer.
I would be very wary of Kimber, especially at $16 million. I would trade Gregorious but not Segura. Segura would leave a hole in the lineup
Kimbrel
Didi over segura is a real bad take
I do
Sox need left handed bat. Swap didi for Kimbrel
Dombrowski is being uncharacteristically laid back and frugal so far.
Mets will sign Kyle for 6 years $150 and have him play catcher.
Id pass on career year Schwarber. They missed on Marte, they don’t need to overspend on Schwarber.
Glad to finally hear of some possible signs of life from the Phils, but they really shouldn’t even consider any player that is not a defensive stalwart. Big pass on Schwarber.
I’d like to see them go after Carlos Correa. They could re-sign Galvis for third, trade for Kevin Kiermaier and give Corey Dickerson a short term deal.
Spend whatever they have to on Knebel and at least one other strong reliever. If they could somehow pull that off, they’re stronger defensively at four positions, and have a fearsome lineup….
Conforto might be interesting
Conforto costs a pick. Schwarber doesn’t.
Conforto can catch
Ask any Mets fan how comfortable they are with Comforto at any position. Schwarber is a former catcher who has been one of MLB’s leaders in outfield defense, and now he plays first.
Anyone who doubts his value is a fool. Anyone who thinks he’s not a good all-around players and one of the few elite ;left-handed hitters of the past decade or two hasn’t been watching. You definitely must have missed what he did for the Sox at No. 2. He hits for ridiculous OPS, yet he doesn’t strike out much and he takes a ton of walks. He literally taught the hitting teaching genius, J.D. Martinez, learned from Schwarber how to stop diving for bad pitches, and he made the whole lineup much more patient, dangerous hitters. Schwarber is the main reason we went on that run to the LCS.
You don’t want Schwarber? Doesn’t matter, he’s coming home to Boston. And we’re going to the World Series in 2022, and once again, the Patriots and Red Sox will win titles in the same year.
that’s simply limiting yourself too much.
My plan would be trade NOLA and gregarious to yankees will keep gallo and ship prospects to the athletics for bassist and piscotty
A’s gets yankees prospect and phillies prospects
Phillies gets bassit piscotty bassitt and joey gallo
Yankees gets NOLA and gregarious
Kimbrel for Segura
Whit merrifield for hoskins and medina
Sign kris Bryant 4yrs 130 million
C realmuto
1b bohm gall0
2b merrifield galvis
Ss stott galvis
3b bryant galvis
Lf gallo bryant vierling
If piscotty merrifield
If Harper vierling
@albert-3 Nola isn’t going anywhere, and people are overreacting to his bad season last year. He’s an inexpensive starter with ace potential. If the Phillies want to win, Nola is part of the plan.
Leaving a giant hole in the pitching staff, PASS
Not much of a hole if he pitche’s like that next year
why does KC do that trade and why do the Phillies want Piscotty?
not a single part of this proposal makes any sense. KB is getting more than 4 years, KC has been adamant about not trading Merrifield, Segura has way more value than a declining Kimbrell, and Piscotty offers zero upgrade over any of out in-house options.
Break out the ticker take! The Phillies have watched the Mets stock up, the Marlins make moves and are against the incumbent champs and they have done jack squat. Not to mention having the reigning mvp and the dude that should’ve won the Cy Young. Make some moves, it’s so frustrating to like this team
Schwarber would be a good fit for Seattle. They are lacking power.
Gives them another left handed bat and a guy that can play DH/1B. That still gives the Mariners the option of letting Evan White develop in AAA.
Unless they can land Kris Bryant….
C Cal Raleigh / Tom Murphy
1B Ty France
2B Adam Frazier
3B Abraham Toro
SS JP Crawford
LF Kyle Lewis
CF Jerred Kelenic
RF Mitch Haniger
DH Kyle Schwarber
Phils should sign costellanos and trade marchan with a pitching prospect to bucs for reynolds.
Then get the 2 Matt’s from Oakland to play the corners for Bohm moniak and Medina
Our top 30 prospects are not promising
the two Matts? man, I’d love that but Matt Olsen alone is going to cost you Suarez (trade him while he’s at peak value, not a bad idea) AND Stott (sign Story and Stott becomes exoendable) plus others. Two years for Olsen and so many teams in on him, Phils would have to headline the package with those two. I’m all for it. Make Olsen the big ticket trade (Hoskins to DH, coming off the surgery it might not be best to pencil him in 100% at first anyway). Make KB the big ticket signing for 3b/LF.
$20 Million a season for Schwarber. Numbers on average are basically near what Cutch would do. Cutch could be signed for probably $8 Million next year. Defense is about equal other than arm. I don’t see why this team trying to save a little money for the bullpen, center fielder, or a shortstop would want Schwarber. Better options are out there for LF. I’d rather see Cutch than Kyle if it came down to those two. Don’t let the hot streak fool you! His track record is not great…. streaky from season to season.
If they institute the DH however, it’s hard to argue against Schwarber being a good fit.
Love Cutch, but Schwarber is in his prime. Cutch is not.
would rather have Castellanos, personally, even with the defensive liability. It’s not like we haven’t put Burrell and Ibanez and a declining Cutch out there; Nick’s bat more than makes up for it, and with NL DH (hopefully), that’ll work in NCS favor. Great bat behind Harper, takes a bit of pressure off Hoskins coming back from injury.
Some very ignorant comments on this thread. Here’s a fact for you::
Since 2017, Schwarber has recorded 28 outfield assists, tied for the second-most among Major League left fielders with Alex Gordon and behind Andrew Benintendi (29). Schwarber recorded 11 outfield assists in 2018, tied with Benintendi for the most among Major League left fielders.
Doesn’t matter for you guys anyway, he’s coming back to the Red Sox, his new home.
Are the Phillies trying to field the worst defensive lineup?
They actually have that covered. Schwarner would be an upgrade over 2021 Cutch believe it or not.
Kneble has closer exp.BTW,Hader was his set up man in Milw.I think he has a lot left in the tank!
Schwarber hit well last year at Washington and Kevin Lobg was his hitting coach. Thatt is an important factor. He isn’t good defensively however he wasn’t terrible at first base. If DH comes that also helps. Kneel would be a solid addition.
Stay away from Kneble last thing we need is a Pitcher with arm problems.Sign Bryant and then trade for Cf Brian Reynolds from the Pirates.Bryant plays 3b or Lf
most pitchers have arm problems these days. just gotta suffer it sometimes.
Very often, I read many comments of trading our better prospects..since the Phils only have very few (aprox 4), which if traded would leave the barrel empty…then, those same fans would be posting how the team has zero players to recall if an injury happens…
The Phillies track record in developing quality players is proven to be one of phailure. I say keep what ya got and buy the rest …FOR NOW!
generally I agree, but if Oakland wants Stott plus for two years of Matt Olsen, I do it. Sign Story first though, so you know you got SS covered and Stott becomes a bit expendable.
There is almost no way TB will keep KK, much like they weren’t keeping Renfroe last year. It’s simply a matter of how much TB is willing to chip in. As a RS fan, if TB kicked in $5M, which they likely won’t, I’d trade for hm and move Hernandez back to 2nd.
So another guy who can’t play defense and a risky pitcher. Phillies just don’t get it
Look at the stats, people. Schwarber is a plus defensive left-fielder, he was 2nd in outfield assists in 2018 and he did the same in 2019. He made a few errors when we (the Red Sox) played him at 1st base but after a couple of weeks he learned it and was very good at 1st base.
Don’t tell people he can’t play defense without knowing the facts.