Report: Phillies Sign Reliever Brandon Kintzler to 1-Year Deal

The Philadelphia Phillies continue to rebuild what was a historically bad bullpen.

The team agreed to sign reliever Brandon Kintzler to a one-year deal Wednesday, reported The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

ESPN's Jesse Rogers adds that Kintzler turned down a guaranteed major league offer to return to the Marlins because he can make more money ($3 million) in Philadelphia if he cracks the major league roster out of camp.

Kintzler spent the last season with the Miami Marlins. In 24 games (24.1 innings pitched), Kintzler had a 2.22 ERA and 12 saves to go along with a 2-3 record.

In 2019 with the Cubs, Kintzler had a 2.68 ERA in 57 innings.

The 36-year old reliever got his MLB start with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010. He was named an American League All-Star in 2017. He combined for 29 saves and 3.03 ERA that season with Minnesota and Washington. .

Kintzler would eventually join the Minnesota Twins in 2016 before making stops in Washington (2017-18), the Cubs (2018-19) and Marlins last season.

Kintzler now joins a Phillies bullpen with a closer spot up for grabs, joining incumbent Hector Neris and free-agent addition Archie Bradley as closer options for 2021.