Archie Bradley and Phillies agree to deal (source)

PHILADELPHIA – The Phillies may have found a new closer for 2021. A source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on Thursday that right-hander Archie Bradley had agreed to a one-year, $ 6 million contract with the Phillies, while awaiting a physical examination. Bradley, 28, has a 2.95 ERA and 28 saves in 221 appearances on

PHILADELPHIA – The Phillies may have found a new closer for 2021.

A source said MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand Thursday this right-handed Archie bradley signed a one-year, $ 6 million contract with the Phillies, pending a physical exam. Bradley, 28, has a 2.95 ERA and 28 saves in 221 appearances over the past four seasons with Arizona and Cincinnati. He made 18 saves, a career high with the D-backs in 2019.

The Phillies did not announce the deal, but soon after the news broke Bradley tweeted a GIF of Rocky Balboa at the top of the steps outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

“Mood,” he wrote.

Atmosphere. pic.twitter.com/reeoZvf2AL

– Archie Bradley (@ ArchieBradley7) January 14, 2021

Bradley is upgrading a Phillies bullpen that is in dire need of help. He posted a 7.06 ERA last season, the second highest score in history, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Only six bullpens in the past 20 years have had 60 games worse than the 2020 Phillies: 2003 Royals (7.14 ERA), 2019 Orioles (7.15 ERA), 2007 Orioles (7.32 ERA), 2007 White Sox ( 7.77 ERA), 2010 D -backs (7.77 ERA) and 2007 Rays (8.11 ERA).

Phillies manager Joe Girardi now has three pitchers with experience closing in his field: Bradley, right-hander Hector Neris (72 career saves) and left-hander Jose alvarado (15 career saves), although Alvarado has been injured in the past two seasons. Right handed Sam coonrod, who the Phillies acquired earlier this month in a trade with the Giants, made three saves in the final month of the 2020 season. The Phillies are also optimistic about the right-hander’s potential Connor brogdon and left-handed Jojo romero, which has shown flashes of domination in 2020.

The Phillies still need help, however.

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It’s unclear if the Phillies will chase another background piece or if they will seek out additional weapons. The Phillies have expressed interest in other late-inning relievers before settling with Bradley, including free agent Alex Colomé. Phillies remain engaged with free agent receiver JT Realmuto and short stop Gregory learned, which they would like to bring back. They also have other holes to fill, which is why Bradley signed a one-year, $ 6 million contract.

Bradley went 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA in 18 1/3 innings last season with the D-backs and Reds. Cincinnati did not offer him a contract in December, making him a free agent. Bradley struck out 18 goals and walked three. It mainly throws a fastball and a four seam curveball, but it also has a change of course and a sinker.

Bradley is the first Major League free agent to sign for the Phillies this offseason. Previously, they had acquired Alvarado in a three-way trade with the Rays and Dodgers and Coonrod in a trade with the Giants. The Phillies claimed righties Ian hamilton and Johan quezada off waivers and selected infielder Kyle Holder in draft rule 5. They avoided wage arbitration by accepting one-year contracts with the receiver Andrew Knapp ($ 1.1 million) and righties Seranthony Domínguez ($ 727,500), Zach Eflin ($ 4.45 million), David Hale ($ 850,000) and Neris ($ 5 million).