MLB Rumors: Phillies Add Archie Bradley to Boost Bullpen

Bradley, 28, will help bolster a Philadelphia bullpen that ranked last in the league in 2020 with a 7.06 ERA.

As the free agency market slowly picks up its pace, the Phillies have decided to address their biggest weakness from last season.

Philadelphia has reportedly agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal with right-handed relief pitcher Archie Bradley, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Bradley had a 2.95 ERA with six saves in 18 1/3 innings in 2020 while pitching for the Diamondbacks and Reds. Since 2017, he's posted a 2.95 ERA with 259 strikeouts in 234 2/3 innings.

Bradley, 28, was non-tendered by the Reds earlier in the offseason after making $4.1 million in 2020.

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The move gives the Phillies some much-needed help in their bullpen. Philadelphia relievers had a combined 7.06 ERA in 2020, easily the worst in the majors. The Phillies' bullpen also allowed a league-worst 2.03 home runs per nine innings, a trend Bradley should help improve. Bradley allowed just one home run in 73 batters faced last season, and has given up only 0.83 home runs per nine innings for his career.

Bradley is the latest high-leverage relief pitcher to sign this week, coming in the wake of Liam Hendriks's deal with the White Sox and the Astros' signing of former Dodgers pitcher Pedro Báez. Other top bullpen arms still available include Brad Hand, Alex Colomé, Shane Greene, Trevor Rosenthal, Kirby Yates and Mark Melancon.

Check out the latest news and rumors around MLB:

• After adding Francisco Lindor, Carlos Carrasco and James McCann this offseason, the Mets aren't done shopping just yet. The team remains in pursuit of Hand to help bolster its bullpen. (Andy Martino, SNY)
• The Mets have signed first baseman/right fielder José Martínez to a one-year contract (Sarah Valenzuela, New York Daily News)
• Nearly every team watched two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber's showcase workout on Wednesday. Kluber threw 30 pitches, including off-speed stuff, and his fastball sat between 88-90 mph. Scouts were impressed with what they saw. (Jeff Passan, ESPN)
• The Rockies and relief pitcher Mcyhal Givens have settled on a $4.05 million deal for 2021. (Jon Heyman, MLB Network)
• The Giants have signed left-handed pitcher Alex Wood to a one-year contract. (Team announcement)