The eighth inning seems to be taken care of finally.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Phillies and Mike Adams have agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract with a vesting option for a third year.  Adams, 34, posted a 3.27 ERA in 52 1/3 innings this summer. He has a 2.28 career ERA and 1.06 career WHIP,

The deal is pending a physical, which isn't a formality with Adams returning from October surgery to correct thoracic outlet syndrome.  He may not be ready for the start of spring training, but should be good to go before opening day.

It's the same procedure that Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter had before he made a quicker-than-expected return to the Cardinals' rotation late in the year. On-the-flip-side, Jeremy Bonderman and Noah Lowry also had the procedure years ago and were never the same afterwards, so there is an unknown element to the surgery.

In eight seasons with the Brewers, Padres and Rangers, he is 18-15 with a 2.28 ERA in 358 appearances. One of the top relievers over the last five seasons, Adams has a 1.98 ERA , the third lowest of any reliever in baseball with at least 153 innings pitched in that span.

The Phillies are expected to use him in their eighth-inning role as a setup man for Jonathan Papelbon.  If he passes the physical and is the same pitcher he has been over the last five season, the Phillies have solved one of their biggest issues from last season.  The eighth inning was a disaster but was stabilized somewhat late in the season with the addition of some younger guys like Justin De Fratus and Phillippe Aumont, plus the re-emergence of Antonio Bastardo late in the season.  The return of Michael Stutes should also provide more depth and competition during spring training.

With the addition of Adams, one of the Phillies bigest weakness could become one of their biggest strengths.

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