Free agency is back in full swing, and it’s sure to be a crazy week as teams try to put the finishing touches on their 2022 rosters.
The market is hopping right now, and as the start of the 2022 regular season nears, there are still plenty of star players that have been left unsigned for the moment and are still out there on the market, waiting to get the best offer possible.
The Philadelphia Phillies took a step forward in doing just that, signing veteran left-handed reliever Brad Hand.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the deal is for one year and is worth $6 million.
Left-handed reliever Brad Hand and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a one-year, $6 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 14, 2022
Strengthening The ‘Pen
The Phillies already added Jeurys Familia to a one-year deal worth $6 million, so adding Hand helps them bolster a bullpen that struggled in 2021.
The Phils now have two solid options for closing out games; two veterans that have a ton of experience closing and that shouldn’t be phased by taking on the role of closer.
The Phillies aren’t quite there yet with the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves in the NL East, but with these two moves, their bullpen is stronger and they now at least have a chance to compete for a Wild Card spot in 2022, especially now that the postseason has been expanded to 12 teams and an extra Wild Card has been added to both leagues.
At the very least, their path to the playoffs looks a little clearer.
We’ll see what the Phillies decide to do next, and we’ll see where the remaining free agents end up signing, but the Phillies addressed a major problem with the addition of Hand and are looking like a stronger ballclub heading into the new season.
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