PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies could turn bullpen usage on its head in 2018.
Manager Gabe Kapler said last month that the mindset of his players "can and will be one of flexibility … I am not married to any specific role because that isn't mental toughness. If I can only do one thing, that's not a very mentally tough way to start."
It could mean the prototypical setup men and closer pitching earlier in games if the game is on the line, rather than saving them for the eighth and ninth innings, as is tradition.
But the Phillies signed Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter last month not only to give Kapler better options, but because the Phillies need a strong bullpen to make up for the rotation's potential shortcomings.