Phillies add veteran lefty and 3-time All-Star to bullpen originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Phillies have reached a one-year, $6 million deal with left-handed reliever Brad Hand, a source told NBC Sports Philadelphia, confirming an ESPN report.
Hand was a well-thought-of closer as recently as 2020 but had a difficult 2021 season. He was traded from Washington to Toronto at the deadline, then was waived by the Blue Jays at the beginning of September. He was claimed by the Mets and finished the year strong with a 2.70 ERA and better than a strikeout per inning in 16 appearances with New York.
Get top local stories in Philly delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC Philadelphia's News Headlines newsletter.
Hand led the majors with 16 saves in the shortened 2020 season. He was an All-Star in each of the prior three years, posting a 2.67 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
There was concern about Hand's fastball velocity in 2020 as it was down a mph from his career average to 91.4. In 2021, it was back up to 93.0.
The Phillies needed another left-hander in the bullpen. Hand joins Jose Alvarado as a late-inning option from the left side. He is the third veteran reliever the Phillies have signed to a major-league deal this offseason, along with presumed closer Corey Knebel and former Met Jeurys Familia. Others in the mix include Alvarado, Connor Brogdon, Sam Coonrod, Seranthony Dominguez, Nick Nelson and lefties Bailey Falter and Ryan Sherriff. Nelson was acquired via trade from the Yankees and Sherriff was claimed off waivers from the Rays in November.
