So far this off-season, the Phillies have signed three free agent relief pitchers, a center fielder no one wants, and a couple minor trades aimed at giving the team a new backup catcher.
For a team that went 82-80 last year and missed the postseason for the 10th straight year, it’s been an underwhelming start, although it’s hard to argue that the bullpen isn’t a little bit better now than it was a year ago. Of course, it’s not difficult to be better than the 6th-worst ERA in baseball (4.60 ERA), tied with the Nationals for the most blown saves, but the additions of Corey Knebel as closer, Jeurys Familia and Brad Hand for a combined three years and $26 million at least gives manager Joe Girardi some depth.