Phillies Get Late-Inning Relief Help
© Brett Davis-USA TODAY SportsThe Philadelphia Phillies and free agent reliever Corey Knebel have reached an agreement on a one-year, $10 million deal.
Knebel, 30, pitched a 2.45 ERA with a 0.974 WHIP last season for the Los Angeles Dodgers, however, only appeared in 25.2 innings due to injury.
A career 3.23 ERA pitcher, Knebel averaged about 54 innings from 2015-2018 for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Knebel was named an All-Star in 2017 and finished the season with 126 strikeouts and 39 saves.
Since then, he has transitioned into a late-inning relief option which is a hole the Phillies desperately needed to fill, especially after failing to retain Hector Neris.
Knebel in the 8th inning in his career holds a 3.67 ERA with 68.2 innings pitched and 83 strikeouts. He shines a bit more in 7th inning appearances with a 1.54 ERA and .171 OBA.
Even with Knebel inked, the Phillies still may look to add a closer via trade or the free agent market, however, the team could end up using multiple pitchers in the closer role. There are still holes to fill in the bullpen, though no additions will be made until the MLB and player’s union can reach an agreement on a new CBA. Until then, we are in the state of a lockout that freezes all transactions.
