Phillies Land All-Star Reliever Soto From Tigers

The Phillies are not done.  Just under four weeks from "truck day" when the Phillies will ship their items to Clearwater, Florida for Spring Training, the Phillies have reportedly made another move.   This is one that will strengthen the Phillies bullpen.

Veteran Phillies reporter Jim Salisbury (currently unaffiliated with a media outlet) first reported on Twitter that the Phillies were nearing a deal for two-time All-Star reliever Gregory Soto.

Kody Clemens is the son of former major league starter Roger Clemens.

In Soto, the Phillies are adding Detroit's top reliever for the last two seasons.  In both 2021 and 2022, Soto represented the Tigers in the All-Star game.  Soto appeared in 62 and 64 games, respectively, in each of the last two seasons, saving 18 and 30 games.

The Phillies will add Soto to a bullpen that already features Seranthony Domiguez, Craig Kimbrel, Jose Alvarado, Matt Strahm, Andrew Bellatti and Connor Brogdon.  That represents a lot of depth, with the likes of Nick Nelson to serve as a long man.

Clemens has not hit much in the major leagues.  He will likely serve as a candidate to be a utility player.  He has appeared professionally in the field at first base, second base, third base, left field and right field.   Clemens is a left-handed hitter who has a chance to fill the void left by what the Phillies gave up.

In Vierling and Maton, the Phillies gave up two of their key bench pieces.  Detroit, openly embracing a youth movement, will give each of them the opportunity to play.  Both Vierling and Maton showed they were versatile pieces on a major league roster who could step up and provide a big moment at times.

The same can be said for Sands, who went from a near-afterthought to the Phillies roster by season's end.  The Phillies have a solid backup catcher in Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchan in the wings.

The Phillies did indeed give up some talent, but replacing pieces on the bench will be much easier than adding a bullpen piece such as Soto.  After losing David Robertson, Corey Knebel, and Brad Hand to free agency, the Phillies have done quite nicely replenishing the bullpen, which is arguably better now than it was at any point in 2022.

The deal is not yet official.