Phillies Trade for Reliever Morin, Also Add Pivetta to Bullpen

The Phillies remained active in their pursuit of pitching.  The Phillies announced Saturday morning that they have acquired right-handed relief pitcher Mike Morrin from the Minnesota Twins.  The Phillies will send cash considerations in the deal.  It appears that Morrin will directly join the Phillies bullpen.

Morrin had been designated for assignment by the Twins.  Out of options, the Twins were unable to send Morrin to the minors. Morrin pitched fairly well in his 23 games in 2019.  Morrin is 0-0 with a 3.18 earned run average in 2018.

Phillies general manager Matt Klentak was assistant general manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim when the club drafted Morrin in the 13th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.  Morrin debuted with the club in 2014.  That may have been Morrin's best season; he went 4-4 with a 2.90 earned run average in 60 appearances.

Meanwhile the Phillies added bullpen depth in another fashion.  Phillies manager Gabe Kapler told reporters including Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia that Nick Pivetta would join the Phillies bullpen.  The move to the bullpen comes on the heels of the acquisition of left-handed starter Drew Smyly.

The Smyly acquisition has not been announced, but Kapler said that it was pending a physical.  According to Salisbury's piece, Smyly will start on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, bumping Pivetta to the bullpen.  It is one that is designed to try to give the club a strong performance in high-leverage innings.

The Phillies are without back-end relievers Seranthony Dominguez, David Robertson, Pat Neshek, and Tommy Hunter.

Meanwhile, the Phillies have been connected to several potential trade candidates for the starting rotation.  Smyly could stick if he does well, or the Phillies could replace him sooner than later.  The Phillies are currently tied for a Wild Card spot in the National League and seek to reformulate the team in the 10 days heading into the All-Star break.