Inside The Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies Make Kimbrel Official, Offer Puzzling Roster Move in the Process

The Philadelphia Phillies made the signing of relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel official, but made a head-scratching roster move in response.

Andy Jasner

Philadelphia Phillies Make Kimbrel Official, Offer Puzzling Roster Move in the Process
Philadelphia Phillies Make Kimbrel Official, Offer Puzzling Roster Move in the Process /
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The Philadelphia Phillies officially announced their one-year, $10 million deal with Craig Kimbrel.

That was not surprising.

To clear room for Kimbrel, the Phillies designated right-hander Francisco Morales for assignment.

That was mildly surprising.

Kimbrel will turn 35 in May and ranks seventh on the all-time saves list with 394. He will enter the 2023 regular season behind only Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601), Lee Smith (478), Francisco Rodríguez (437), John Franco (424) and Billy Wagner (422).

Kimbrel will join an ever-improving bullpen which includes the likes of Seranthony Dominguez, Jose Alvarado and Matt Strahm, among others.

The 23-year-old Morales appeared in three games and earned one save for the Phillies last season.

Morales began the season at Double-A Reading and was stellar with a miniscule 1.48 ERA. The results were troubling at Triple-A Lehigh Valley as his ERA ballooned to 9.48. Morales walked 28 in 20 2/3 innings with the IronPigs.

The move to let Morales go might not have been surprising if he was older. Still 23, there still seems to be a high ceiling for a hard-throwing reliever.

But the Phillies opted to move on from the once highly-touted prospect.

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Andy Jasner
ANDY JASNER

Andy Jasner is a freelance writer based in the Philadelphia area. Jasner graduated from Syracuse University in 1991 and has worked for newspapers, magazines and websites including CBS SportsLine and ESPN.com. Jasner has written two books -- Baltimore Ravens and Phil Jasner: On The Case. Follow him on Twitter at @AndyJasner.

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