Phillies Agree with RHP Pat Neshek

[Squire]

2 years/16-17Million per Jon Heyman

Jon Heyman (JonHeyman)

[Lawman]

Matt Gelb (MattGelb)

[Austinfan]

That's kinda odd, because it makes him harder to move at the deadline.
But it's money they can burn, and adds quality depth to the pen.

[Slinging_Southpaw]

I don't like this move at all.

[zambonir]

They didn't sign him to flip him again. He likes it here. It's certainly a risk - almost a given, even - that he won't be as good this year, but he'll contribute, both years, and if he gets injured or totally craters, they can afford it.

[bigegypt0417]

They didn't sign him to flip him again. He likes it here. It's certainly a risk - almost a given, even - that he won't be as good this year, but he'll contribute, both years, and if he gets injured or totally craters, they can afford it.

I'm not really sure they didn't sign him to flip him...if he is doing what he was doing last year this contracr doesn't make him that expensive.

[LoneStarPhan]

At some point, the free agents signings go from players who they are looking to flip in July to signing players they are looking to for help in becoming a contending club.

While many will say they are not going to contend in 2018 and maybe not in 2019, I the optimist look for marked improvement this coming season. I am sure they also would like to see the team on the field this coming season doing better in the W-L columns. Getting more tickets sold means more cash in the till. More phans at games means more sales in concessions and so on. The Phillies have money but certainly will have more if the team gets better. Phans are getting anxious with the rebuild. It's time to see results on the field.

Of course, the two year deal does not make it impossible to trade him if a good deal is available.

[andyb]

In general though the era of signing veterans JUST to flip them is over. We still have the option to flip veterans, but we now should rightly be looking at winning on the major league level.

It still would be nice to add a little more velocity to the back of the bullpen but Neshek is a good pitcher and he has the type of stuff that should age well even if there is always a possibility he drops off a cliff performance-wise at some point. He is good enough that it is a risk worth taking.

[Austinfan]

Building a deep bullpen is an alternative to getting veteran starting pitcher(s).
So if you go 6-7 deep in the pen, you can live with 5-6 inning starters.
If your kids only have to go through a lineup twice as they develop, it's easier on their arm and buys them time to perfect a second secondary pitch.

[LoneStarPhan]

The ultimate goal has to be establishing a solid core of starters and a very solid, deep bullpen.

[Philsmania]

Building a deep bullpen is an alternative to getting veteran starting pitcher(s).
So if you go 6-7 deep in the pen, you can live with 5-6 inning starters.
If your kids only have to go through a lineup twice as they develop, it's easier on their arm and buys them time to perfect a second secondary pitch.

The more I think about this move the more I like it. In addition to him being reliable, he is a guy who wants to be here.

[VoteForKalas]

How old is he, 38?

[zambonir]

Yeah, he's definitely a risk. But he doesn't have to an All-Star again. So long as he doesn't completely crater and the Phillies have money, he could simply be depth in 2019. They paid Benoit $7.5 million last year.

Salisbury says deal includes a third-year option and a $500,000 trade assignment bonus (but not a no-trade clause, I gather).

[andyb]

Sounds like Neshek likes it in Philly but realizes that at his age he probably would welcome a trade to a contender if that was needed. Might as well pick up a reasonable $500K if that happens. He knows his market but is realistic about what a guy his age should demand.

[zambonir]

Bob Nightengale on Twitter

[David_Criss]

Nice deal to help solidify the young bullpen and he knows he isn't going anywhere in a few months to start the season.

[Slinging_Southpaw]

This is what I was hoping for, someone who could potentially close if needed.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Phillies have had "ongoing discussions" with free agent reliever Addison Reed.
The Phillies have reportedly inked Pat Neshek to a two-year, $16.25 million contract, but they apparently aren't done improving their bullpen. Reed will be more costly and perhaps require another year. He posted a 2.84 ERA and 76/15 K/BB ratio over 76 innings this season between the Mets and the Red Sox.