Phillies to sign reliever Jeurys Familia originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Phillies have reached an agreement with free-agent reliever Jeurys Familia, according to multiple reports. The deal, pending a physical, is for one year and $6 million, according to the New York Post.
Familia has spent all but two months of his 10-year career with the New York Mets, re-signing with them after a deadline deal to Oakland in 2018. In 65 appearances last season, he had a 3.94 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 59⅓ innings. He walked 27 and blew six saves, three in a two-week span in August. Walks have been an issue for Familia in recent seasons -- 88 in 146 innings since 2019.
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The 32-year-old right-hander has maintained his upper-90s velocity, averaging 97 mph with his four-seam fastball and sinker in 2021. He threw his sinker 60 percent of the time last season, with 23 percent sliders, 14 percent four-seamers and 3 percent splitters.
Familia is the second veteran reliever the Phillies have added on a big-league deal this offseason, following the November signing of right-hander Corey Knebel to a one-year contract. Knebel was not promised the closer's role but will have the opportunity to win the job.
Familia has been a setup man for the bulk of his career, though he did lead the majors with 51 saves in 2016. He was an All-Star that year with a 2.55 ERA. From 2014-16, he had a 2.20 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, averaging 77 appearances. Since, his ERA is 4.15 and his WHIP is 1.45.
The Phillies are not lacking velocity in their bullpen with Familia, Knebel, Connor Brogdon, Sam Coonrod and left-hander Jose Alvarado. Seranthony Dominguez could also factor into the bullpen picture.
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