The Phillies announced on Monday morning that reliever Archie Bradley had passed his physical. His signing is official. To make room for Bradley on the 40-man roster, the team designated outfielder Kyle Garlick for assignment.
Phillies officials, including manager Joe Girardi, will join Bradley in a news conference on Monday afternoon. Bradley will give Girardi a strong bullpen option toward the end of games, perhaps even as closer.
Bradley, 28, signed a one-year contract worth $6 million. Over the last four seasons, he ranks eighth among big-league relievers in innings (233 1/3) and 14th in ERA (2.82). His WHIP over that span is 1.197 and he’s registered 9.9 strikeouts and 3.1 walks per nine innings.
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Even with Bradley aboard, the Phillies are expected to continue to try to add more bullpen depth before spring training. The Phillies had the worst bullpen in the majors in 2020 and new president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has said he will be aggressive in improving the unit. Before signing Bradley, the Phils traded for hard-throwing lefty Jose Alvarado (Tampa Bay) and hard-throwing righty Sam Coonrod (San Francisco).
In addition to adding more bullpen help, the Phillies are likely to pursue starting pitching depth in the coming weeks. And, of course, the club is in active talks with catcher J.T. Realmuto and shortstop Didi Gregorius, both free agents who could return to Philadelphia.
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