“When I look at this year, I like the ‘stable of arms’ we have,” Girardi said. Archie Bradley. He’s had experience doing both. Jim Salisbury brought this up with Larry Bowa last week on the Phillies Talk podcast and it’s an interesting idea, potentially letting the 26-year-old Brogdon begin the season as a closer with a few high-quality setup men ahead of him. The Phillies continue to add bullpen help under Dave Dombrowski, as they have signed right-handed reliever Archie Bradley to a one-year, $6 million contract, according to MLB.com‘s Mark Feinsand. With Archie Bradley out of the picture for the next few weeks,… Alvarado has allowed an extra-base hit in just 5.02% of plate appearances for his career. He also does not have a huge fastball. Bradley has said time and again that he doesn’t care if he’s pitching the eighth or ninth. Let’s run through those top closing candidates, examining why they'd make sense in that role for the 2021 Phillies and why they would not. On Thursday evening, the Phillies added a much needed arm to their bullpen, agreeing to a one-year deal with pitcher Archie Bradley worth $6 million. WTC final to go ahead as planned: ICC after India’s entry into Britain’s travel ‘red list’ Josh Fleming delivers in home state as Ray beat Royals Bradley, 28, has an ERA of 2.95 and has 221 saves in the last four seasons in Arizona and Cincinnati. Archie Bradley, who was a combined 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA and 18 strikeouts for Arizona and Cincinnati in 2020, has reached a one-year, $6 million deal with Philadelphia, sources told ESPN. Bradley’s best value could be facing the meat of a team’s order, whether that’s in the seventh, eighth or ninth inning. New Phillies reliever Archie Bradley said that he is ecstatic to join the Phillies and do "special things" for the team, fans, and city. If he pitched these last seven seasons for another team and came over to the Phillies this offseason, many of us would look at his career 3.38 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and rate of 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings and see a very good reliever. Subscribe to the Phillies Talk podcast: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | Watch on YouTube, Arguments for and against Phillies' top 4 closer candidates. He saved 18 games in 2019 for the D-backs after taking over for Greg Holland a couple of months into the season, but the bulk of his Arizona tenure was spent as the setup man. He’s had experience doing both. It’s also worth mentioning that his velocity has been down a bit this spring. Bradley is the Phillies’ most expensive reliever ($6M) and someone they brought in to pitch at the end of games. Shortly after, they announced that left handed reliever Jojo Romero would be recalled from Lehigh Valley to join the Phillies bullpen. Phillies manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday that Bradley would begin the season as a setup man behind closer Hector Neris, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.. Bradley … Bradley has worked as a closer in the past, but seemed slated for set-up duty or general high-leverage usage thus far with the Phillies. Archie Bradley catching up with Kliff Kingsbury in 2019. Fast-forward to now, and spring training is well underway. The last two seasons, lefties are 29 for 148 against Neris, hitting .196. The best-case scenario for Bradley joining the Phillies is that things do go right, and that he thrives in a defined role. I really believe that. Phillies sign Archie Bradley. Brogdon definitely has the stuff. Left-handed reliever JoJo Romero was recalled from the Phillies' alternate site to take Bradley’s place on the active roster. He saved eight games in 2018 and seven in 2019 for the Rays. While nothing is currently set in stone, his role very well could be closer out of the gate. Alvarado has had trouble throwing consistent strikes during his four-year career, walking 71 batters in 132⅔ career innings. “SignJT,” Bradley wrote on Twitter. He's in competition against some established veterans. thatballsouttahere.com - When new Philadelphia Phillies reliever Archie Bradley had his introductory press conference earlier this offseason, manager Joe Girardi was asked what … Archie Bradley could be Phillies closer come Opening Day - Flipboard “I think [Bradley] definitely has the ability to close,” Girardi continued. A lot of legendary closers have had unique facial hair. A lot of times, you take for granted what is in front of your face. The seven year veteran has recorded 24 combined saves over the past two seasons, blowing just four of the opportunities. In my opinion, Bradley is probably best suited for the late inning setup guy role. Bradley could very well be poised to be Girardi’s staple “ninth-inning guy” come Opening Day, home on April 1 against the Atlanta Braves. We haven’t yet seen a sustained run of excellence from Brogdon to know that he’d hold up in that high-pressure role for six months or more. Zack Wheeler will be on the mound and Odubel Herrera will be starting in right field. Last year was his rookie year and he made just nine appearances. What happens if he stumbles early? “What he told you today is what he told me — ‘I just want to pitch. “I’ve very fired up,” Bradley said. The skipper replied that was one of the things the Phillies were “so excited about” when they talked to Bradley. Four of those appearances lasted longer than an inning, which is another reason his availability earlier in games could be more beneficial for the 2021 Phils. Sources said Mark Fein Sand on MLB.com That right-handed on thursday Archie Bradley Agreed a one-year $ 6 million deal with the Phillies. The 2009 World Series-winning manager joined SportsRadio 94 WIP Tuesday morning and discussed his goal for the bullpen by the time the Phillies leave Clearwater. When Neris struggles, it is usually because his splitter flattens out and loses its vertical drop. Another reason not to name Alvarado the closer would be to save him for the most crucial strikeout situation. Archie Bradley ingratiated himself with fans immediately after finalizing a $6 million, one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Armed with a 100 mph sinker with top-shelf movement and a nasty slider, Alvarado has the best stuff of any reliever in this bullpen. The last thing you want in the ninth inning is a leadoff walk. Archie Bradley – Raisel Iglesias threw 29 pitches across 1.1 innings and has gone in two of three. “We were trying different things and combinations, and it just didn’t work.”. The skipper replied that was one of the things the Phillies were “so excited about” when they talked to Bradley. I don’t care when I pitch; it doesn’t matter to me,'” Girardi said. Archie Bradley is my leading candidate to be the Phillies’ closer this year with Brandon Kintzler as a close second. Neris could close for some teams, and his trademark splitter should continue to keep him effective for stretches. Neris is underrated here because he’s gone through low lows in addition to high highs, and the Phillies haven’t won enough during his seven-year career. We saw late last season just how good this kid can be when he allowed one hit and no runs over his final 8⅔ innings with 14 strikeouts. His fastball sat at 92-93 mph in his most recent appearance Monday compared to 94 mph last season and closer to 96 in 2019. Philadelphia Phillies – After running out a historically terrible bullpen in 2020, the Phillies brought in a bunch of new arms over the offseason, headlined by Archie Bradley, who signed a 1-year, $6 million deal and seems likely to open the season as the closer. 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