Headlines

  • Braves Designate Craig Kimbrel For Assignment
  • Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Braves Select Craig Kimbrel
  • Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox
  • White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel
  • Sign Up For Trade Rumors Front Office Now And Lock In Savings!
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Phillies Sign Corey Knebel

By Mark Polishuk | December 1, 2021 at 2:23pm CDT

The Phillies announced the signing of reliever Corey Knebel to a one-year contract this afternoon. It’s reportedly a $10MM guarantee. Knebel is represented by Excel Sports Management.

The bullpen has been a major weak spot for the Phillies in each of the last two seasons, and Knebel now provides some much-needed late-game help for the club, potentially even in the closer role.  Knebel has previous experience as the Brewers’ closer (including a 39-save, All-Star season in 2017) before injuries derailed his career.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is very familiar with Knebel, as back when Dombrowski was running the Tigers front office, Detroit selected Knebel 39th overall in the 2013 draft.  Knebel began his MLB career in a Tigers uniform, but after a pair of trades from Detroit to Texas to Milwaukee, he emerged as a very intriguing arm out of the Brew Crew’s bullpen.

Knebel underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2019 and returned to toss only 13 1/3 innings of rather shaky 6.08 ERA ball, though such struggles aren’t uncommon for a pitcher returning from such a layoff.  The Brewers opted to trade Knebel to the Dodgers rather than face the question of whether or not to tender him a contract in his final arbitration-eligible year, and to some extent, Milwaukee’s concerns were realized, as Knebel ended up missing almost four months of the 2021 campaign due to a right lat strain.

When he did pitch, however, Knebel looked much closer to his old form.  He posted a 2.45 ERA over 25 2/3 innings, with a 29.7% strikeout rate and 8.9% walk rate and dominant numbers against both right-handed and left-handed batters.  Velocity-wise, Knebel’s heater was back up to 96.4mph —- still a tick below his 97.4mph career high in 2017, but a nice step up from the 94.4mph velo he showed in 2020.  Knebel’s fastball spin rate also rebounded from 2020, and he posted a career-best spin rate on his curveball that topped his already-strong past numbers.

The contract is a nice late birthday present for Knebel, who turned 30 years old last week.  While he has already had a lot of ups and downs in his career, that age is a reminder that Knebel is still in his veritable prime, and might resume his status as a frontline relief arm if he is able to stay healthy.  The one-year contract may be a nod to both his lengthy injury history, and perhaps Knebel’s own desire to showcase himself in advance of a larger multi-year commitment next winter.  MLBTR projected Knebel for a two-year, $18MM pact, and he sat 38th on our ranking of the offseason’s top 50 free agents.

Knebel is by far the biggest of the Phillies’ bullpen adds this winter, topping a list that includes Ryan Sherriff, Nick Nelson, Yoan Lopez, Kent Emanuel, and Scott Moss.  The relief corps also took a hit when former closer Hector Neris departed to sign a free agent deal with the Astros.

Jeff Passan of ESPN was first to report the Phillies and Knebel were in agreement. Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported the sides were “in advanced talks” this morning. Jon Heyman of the MLB Network was first with contract terms.

Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.

Share 0 Retweet 6 Send via email0

Newsstand Philadelphia Phillies Transactions Corey Knebel

No More Negotiations Scheduled Between Owners, Players Prior To CBA Expiration
Main
Royals Sign JaCoby Jones To Minors Deal
View Comments (68)
Post a Comment

68 Comments

  1. VonPurpleHayes

    4 years ago

    Love the move in theory. Awaiting money and years…etc. First dollar spent by the Phillies this offseason. It’ll be a few months before they spend any more sadly. Knebel is really good when healthy.

    7
    Reply
    • statman

      4 years ago

      Knice move

      17
      Reply
      • Yankee-4-Lifer 75

        4 years ago

        Evil Knebel

        5
        Reply
        • bucketbrew35

          4 years ago

          Evel Knebel*

          Reply
      • Kruk it

        4 years ago

        God I hope this works

        1
        Reply
      • Brew’88

        4 years ago

        Higkh riskn gnhigh knreward

        Reply
    • the Noid

      4 years ago

      I thought Philly had deep pockets as a result of their cable tv deal…it was supposed to be the 3rd most lucrative in the majors leagues behind the Dodgers and Yankees?

      2
      Reply
      • VonPurpleHayes

        4 years ago

        @the Noid They do. I don’t mean the Phillies won’t spend. I mean the lockout will slow down free agency for quite sometime.

        5
        Reply
      • Oscar the Grouch

        4 years ago

        Unfortunately for Phillies fans, the team invested heavily in Sabre printers from Dunder Mifflin. They are now afraid they will catch fire, as they’re know to do, so they are trying to limit the number of contacts that need to be printed out. Knebel may have to play centerfield for them in addition to closing…..

        1
        Reply
    • bucsfan0004

      4 years ago

      Immediately becomes the best pitcher in that train-wreck of a bullpen

      8
      Reply
    • Francys01

      4 years ago

      Great signing by the Phillies. Good job.

      9
      Reply
    • dsett75

      4 years ago

      1 year at $10 million…….if that’s what you meant by “awaiting years & money”.

      1
      Reply
      • VonPurpleHayes

        4 years ago

        @destt75 Yea. Thanks. That wasn’t in the original article, so I posted before that info was here.

        7
        Reply
    • FredMcGriff for the HOF

      4 years ago

      Phillies on the board for free agents!

      1
      Reply
  2. phillies give me depression

    4 years ago

    it’s something

    1
    Reply
  3. DarkSide830

    4 years ago

    nicenicenice now get Shwar

    2
    Reply
    • VonPurpleHayes

      4 years ago

      I don’t see any more big names coming off until after the CBA, but one more would be nice. I have faith in Dombrowski.

      4
      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        4 years ago

        that’s fine, just get it done eventually

        3
        Reply
      • cheesesteak

        4 years ago

        Truth, Von. We finally have a GM we can have faith in.

        4
        Reply
  4. Rangers29

    4 years ago

    Phillies are in agreement with former Dodger, Corey….. Knebel.

    5
    Reply
    • tstats

      4 years ago

      HaR hAr

      1
      Reply
    • VonPurpleHayes

      4 years ago

      Hey. I’ll take it!

      6
      Reply
    • Bart Harley Jarvis

      4 years ago

      Oh snap, you’re very funny! Thanks for that!

      1
      Reply
  5. Cap & Crunch

    4 years ago

    Beast, but you really gotta control those inns to stay under 55 imo

    Dodgers did a great job protecting him, hope Phils can do the same

    1
    Reply
  6. Highest IQ

    4 years ago

    I guessed Orioles. Needles to say I got not a single one right for the contest. Even the ones announced before the close. Thought my Orioles would step in and steal them. Love being Orioles fan. 🙁

    2
    Reply
    • captainsalty

      4 years ago

      I would like you to join our fantasy baseball league

      4
      Reply
      • BrianBrian

        4 years ago

        lmao

        Reply
      • Highest IQ

        4 years ago

        I’d love to join but I can’t because I’d be to damn good and win a lot.

        Reply
    • bobtillman

      4 years ago

      The O’s were concerned about the Luxury Tax consequences once they sign Correa, Freeman and Bryant.

      (That’s Chic Correa, Dr. Sidney Freeman and Anita Bryant).

      2
      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        4 years ago

        I heard they were looking at Chris Correa, Morgan Freeman, and Lane Bryant, but maybe I misread.

        1
        Reply
      • Bart Harley Jarvis

        4 years ago

        Dr. Bob,
        You’re on fire!

        Reply
  7. MLB Top 100 Commenter

    4 years ago

    He will be good if they are knable to keep him healthy.

    5
    Reply
  8. phenomenalajs

    4 years ago

    Is there time to complete physicals and paperwork for any signings reported now before the doors shut?

    Reply
  9. BillGiles

    4 years ago

    Schwarber next, I hope

    Reply
  10. VonPurpleHayes

    4 years ago

    1 year 10MM. Not bad.

    2
    Reply
  11. DarkSide830

    4 years ago

    just one year? okay.

    Reply
    • VonPurpleHayes

      4 years ago

      @DarkSide830 the 1 year seems odd, but Knebel probably sees this as a prove-it contract, especially coming off some past injuries.

      2
      Reply
  12. GETBUCKETS

    4 years ago

    Closer! Interesting they didn’t give him 2 yr deal though.

    1
    Reply
  13. Halo11Fan

    4 years ago

    Nice signing.

    Reply
  14. JoeBrady

    4 years ago

    Good deal for the Phillies. Always a health risk, but really good when healthy. I was hoping for him for the RS.

    2
    Reply
  15. Bob333

    4 years ago

    Knebel scares me do to the arm problems.I just keep thinking or Robertson a few years ago.Why did the Dodgers let him go?

    1
    Reply
    • Orel Saxhiser

      4 years ago

      The Dodgers’ bullpen is loaded.

      RH: Treinen, Graterol, Hudson, Bickford, Kahnle, Phillips, Jackson, White.
      LH: Vesia, Ferguson, Bruihl, Gonzalez, Price.

      That’s 13 guys vying for eight spots. And since it’s still plenty early, it wouldn’t be a stunner if Friedman added another RP or two (along with a starter) before spring training. Knebel pitched well for the Dodgers in 2021, but in ’22 he would be more of a luxury than a necessity. Best of luck to him on a Phillies team that needs him to be good.

      Reply
      • StreakingBlue

        4 years ago

        Also he missed a good portion of last season with shoulder/arm issue. Not sure how long he will stay healthy.

        Reply
    • Rsk3228

      4 years ago

      If I remember correctly, Robertson was very durable prior to signing with the Phillies. He didn’t have any major injuries until they signed him.

      1
      Reply
  16. Never Remember

    4 years ago

    Would have been better off with Neris. He sounds like next year’s Kirby Yates. Probably pitches as many innings for Phillies as David Robinson did. Waste of money.

    Reply
  17. TommyLasutton

    4 years ago

    Great move for the Phils. See now why Dodgers didn’t. Betting Hudson @ 7 will be about the same as Knebel @ 10.

    1
    Reply
    • Orel Saxhiser

      4 years ago

      Smart moves by both teams.

      1
      Reply
  18. cookmeister 2

    4 years ago

    not bad getting a $10 mil deal while you’re vacationing lol

    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      4 years ago

      the spiritual opposite to Ryan Hartman going on a remote fishing trip and returning to hear he had since been traded and not tendered a contract.

      Reply
  19. DadsInDaniaBeach

    4 years ago

    That’s one in a row…

    Reply
  20. fisher40

    4 years ago

    Good signing by the Phillies. But he’s not what he once was. As a Brewers fan he was simply dominant in 2017. Sadly he’ll never come close to that since injuries he’s had last 4 years

    Reply
    • VonPurpleHayes

      4 years ago

      @fisher40 He looked pretty good with the Dodgers last year, but to your point not quite his dominant self.

      1
      Reply
      • fisher40

        4 years ago

        If he can come close to the 15 K per 9 like he was in 2017 then the Phillies struck gold. But all in all good signing for them

        Reply
  21. bobtillman

    4 years ago

    You’d think with 10M the guy could buy a vowel for his last name.

    Reply
    • Orel Saxhiser

      4 years ago

      He tried but was Knebel to find one at a reasonable price.

      Reply
  22. DakotaJoe

    4 years ago

    This is a nice signing, but their pen was bad last year and they have lost Bradley, Kennedy and Neris. Wheeler and Suarez will have to be great again next year and Nola will have to greatly improve. That still leaves them with Gibson and Eflin as starters who are not real dependable. The Phillies are paying the price for years of bad drafting and player development. They struggle to be .500 and have a massive payroll. I’ll never stop rooting for them but the rebuild that started almost 10 years ago get a failing grade.

    Reply
    • Orel Saxhiser

      4 years ago

      Andrew Chafin would make a ton of sense. Joe Kelly, too, if the price is in line with their budget.

      Reply
    • bucketbrew35

      4 years ago

      Kennedy and Bradley were part of the reason they were so bad. Kennedy seemed to yield a homer per game and Bradley was almost always hurt.

      Neris was only good in the second half. He was 2nd in the NL in blown saves (7).

      As it shakes out right now, they don’t look too bad. It’s at least beginning to take shape. They have been connected to both Mychal Givens and Craig Kimbrel. Both are realistic gets. Their depth options are also promising for once.

      Brodgon
      Coonrod
      Alvarado
      SU – Dominguez
      SU – Knebel
      SU – Givens?
      CL – Kimbrel?

      Depth
      Emanuel
      Falter
      Jones
      Nelson
      Moss
      Sherriff
      Dohy

      Reply
  23. msqboxer

    4 years ago

    Head scratcher….Neris a known commodity, Knebel not so much and still gets $10M. Hopefully this is just one of several moves the Phillies make to shore up the pen.

    Reply
    • rgreen

      4 years ago

      Knebel has that 39 save,all-star season on his resume.

      1
      Reply
  24. Jnich27

    4 years ago

    Corey Knebel It’s a nice move, but for some reason I have a hard time thinking it’s the only move here as Set Up/ Closer. I would love Josh Harder but the likely hood of that happening is slim. I still think Greg Kimbrel could be in play

    Reply
    • rgreen

      4 years ago

      Hey,if Josh Harder and Greg Kimbrel can pitch,they’d likely be welcome in the Phillies hood.

      1
      Reply
    • Jal179

      4 years ago

      I personally prefer Craig Kimbrel. Longer track record than cousin Greg.

      Reply
    • Clif

      4 years ago

      It is Josh Hader, not Harder

      Reply
  25. TomToms

    4 years ago

    Who would the Phillies trade, to get Kimbral?

    Reply
    • Captain Dunsel

      4 years ago

      Hopefully not that much if they take on the entire $16M contract. Lead with Moniak selling him as a 1-1 yet to blossom and it may not take much more.

      1
      Reply
  26. Motown is My Town

    4 years ago

    Yea..this is my 6th correct pick in the free agent contest i’m sucking wind at…btw, DD drafted Knebel for the Tigers back in ~ 2012 and traded him to the Rangers for Joaquin Soria in 2014

    Reply
  27. bucketbrew35

    4 years ago

    They are talking about Knebel being the closer now. That I do not like.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Braves Designate Craig Kimbrel For Assignment

    Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Braves Select Craig Kimbrel

    Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox

    White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel

    Sign Up For Trade Rumors Front Office Now And Lock In Savings!

    Pablo Lopez To Miss Multiple Months With Teres Major Strain

    MLB To Propose Automatic Ball-Strike Challenge System For 2026

    Giants Designate LaMonte Wade Jr., Sign Dominic Smith

    Reds Sign Wade Miley, Place Hunter Greene On Injured List

    Padres Interested In Jarren Duran

    Royals Promote Jac Caglianone

    Mariners Promote Cole Young, Activate Bryce Miller

    2025-26 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings: May Edition

    Evan Phillips To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    AJ Smith-Shawver Diagnosed With Torn UCL

    Reds Trade Alexis Díaz To Dodgers

    Rockies Sign Orlando Arcia

    Ronel Blanco To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Joc Pederson Suffers Right Hand Fracture

    Recent

    Tigers Notes: Vierling, Olson, Urquidy, Boyd

    Twins Place Zebby Matthews On 15-Day IL, Reinstate Danny Coulombe

    Yankees Claim CJ Alexander

    Phillies Claim Ryan Cusick, Designate Kyle Tyler

    Brewers Claim Drew Avans

    White Sox Sign Tyler Alexander, Place Jared Shuster On 15-Day IL

    Orioles Designate Matt Bowman For Assignment

    Diamondbacks Select Kyle Backhus, Designate Aramis Garcia

    Athletics Acquire Austin Wynns

    Julio Rodriguez Helped Off Field Following Apparent Injury

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version