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New Phillies Bullpen: A Defined Role for Success?
20 Feb
Summary
- Brad Keller signed a two-year deal with the Phillies.
- Phillies aim for defined bullpen roles, moving from committees.
- Jhoan Duran and Brad Keller believe defined roles aid preparation.
The Philadelphia Phillies are implementing a more structured approach to their bullpen for the upcoming season, aiming to enhance performance through clearly defined roles. This strategic shift moves away from the recent trend of utilizing closer committees, where top relievers are deployed in high-leverage situations regardless of the inning.
New acquisition Brad Keller, who signed a two-year, $22 million contract, is slated to handle the eighth inning. This setup provides a clearer framework for the bullpen, with Jhoan Duran expected to continue as the team's closer.
Both Keller and Duran have expressed that understanding their specific inning allows for better preparation and focus. This belief is a driving factor as the team, which has not had a 30-save closer since 2016, looks to significantly improve its relief corps.
As of spring training, the Phillies' bullpen features several new additions, including Keller, Jonathan Bowlan, and Kyle Backhus. Manager Rob Thomson believes this collection of arms, anchored by a defined closer, positions the team well to compete for a World Series championship.
